Diary of Events (August 2025 Issue)

July 17th, 2025 by in News

1) Courtesy Call by H.E. Bulat Sugurbayev, Ambassador of Kazakhstan on 21 April 2025

The Ambassador of Kazakhstan, H.E. Bulat Sugurbayev paid a Courtesy Call on Tan Sri Azman Hashim, President of MASSA on 21 April 2025.

Tan Sri Azman Hashim (right), President, MASSA and H.E. Bulat Sugurbayev (left), Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Malaysia

H.E. Bulat Sugurbayev was accompanied by Mr Amir Aldazhanov, First Secretary (Economy & Investments), and Ms Akmaral Belgibekova, Second Secretary (Communications, Culture, Tourism, Education) from the Embassy of the Republic of Kazakhstan in Malaysia.

Exchange of gifts between Tan Sri Azman Hashim (right), President, MASSA and H.E. Bulat Sugurbayev (left), Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Malaysia.

(from left-to-right) Ms Ng Su Fun, Executive Secretary, MASSA, Tan Sri Azman Hashim, President, MASSA, H.E. Bulat Sugurbayev, Ambassador of Kazakhstan, Ms Akmaral Belgibekova, Second Secretary (Communications, Culture, Tourism, Education), Embassy of Kazakhstan, and Mr Amir Aldazhanov, First Secretary (Economy & Investments), Embassy of Kazakhstan.

The meeting noted the current global geoeconomic conditions, and discussed the emerging & potential areas of collaboration and cooperation between Malaysia and Kazakhstan vis-à-vis ASEAN and Central Asia as middle power nations who are growing more connected through transport & logistics routes and trade diversification. The meeting also discussed the Astana International Forum, and other areas for joint collaboration between MASSA and the Embassy to highlight and avail MASSA members and Malaysian businesses to business networking, insights and opportunities in and with Kazakhstan.

(from left-to-right) Dato’ Lee Chun Fai, Executive Committee Member of MASSA, Datuk Merlyn Kasimir, Hon. Assistant Secretary, H.E. Bulat Sugurbayev, Ambassador of Kazakhstan, and Tan Sri Azman Hashim, President, MASSA.

2) Meeting with MDEC and MATRADE on 21 May 2025 at MDEC Bangsar South Office

MASSA, represented by Ms Ng Su Fun, Executive Secretary, Mr Samuel Loh, Programme Executive and Ms Nur Syuhaida met MDEC and MATRADE at MDEC Bangsar South on 21 May 2025.

Mr Johan bin Matthieu Vanhaecke, Manager, Digital Export Division (DEX), and Ms Chan Pei Ling, Manager, Market Facilitation, New Market Development Department, Digital Export Division represented MDEC at the meeting, while MATRADE was represented by Mr Nazirul Iman, Manager, ASEAN & Oceania Section, and Ms Nurdiana Ismail, Manager, ASEAN & Oceania Section.

The meeting was briefed on MASSA’s Business Mission to Timor-Leste from 28 July to 1 August 2025, and discussed avenues of potential collaboration between MDEC and MATRADE on the MASSA Business Mission.

 

From left-to-right:

Mr Samuel Loh, Programme Executive, MASSA, Mr Nazirul Iman, Manager, ASEAN & Oceania Section, Ms Nur Syuhaida, MASSA, Ms Ng Su Fun, Executive Secretary, MASSA, Mr Johan bin Matthieu Vanhaecke, Manager, Digital Export Division (DEX), MDEC, Ms Chan Pei Ling, Manager, Market Facilitation, New Market Development Department, Digital Export Division, MDEC and Ms Nurdiana Ismail, Manager, ASEAN & Oceania Section.

 

3) MASSA Meeting with UPM CIRNET on 3 June 2025

MASSA, represented by Ms Ng Su Fun, Executive Secretary and Mr Samuel Loh, Programme Executive met with the Centre for Industrial Relation and Network (CIRNET) of Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) on 3 June 2025.

Prof Shamsul Bahri, Director, Mr Zaidi Tajuddin, Head of the Industrial Relation and Network Section, Agriculture Officer (Industry Relation and Extension) and Mr Amir Heiqal, Executive Officer 3 represented UPM CIRNET at the meeting.

The meeting was an introduction to UPM CIRNET, and the meeting discussed modalities and programmes MASSA could organise with the resources & talents available within the academic ecosystem to encourage & promote business linkages with the business private sector.

From left-to-right:

Mr Samuel Loh, Programme Executive, MASSA, Ms Ng Su Fun, Executive Secretary, MASSA, Prof Shamsul Bahri, Director, CIRNET, UPM, Mr Zaidi Tajuddin, Head of the Industrial Relation and Network Section, Agriculture Officer (Industry Relation and Extension), CIRNET, UPM, and Mr Amir Heiqal, Executive Officer 3, CIRNET, UPM.


4) MASSA-Kolaxus-MAJECA iDeas Xchange #3 on 11 June 2025 at Banquet Hall, Bangunan AmBank Group

The 3rd iDeas Xchange was jointly organised by the Malaysia South-South Association (MASSA) and Malaysia-Japan Economic Association (MAJECA) with KolaXus, led by its CEO, Mr Sivavenayakam Velayutham, Executive Committee Member of MAJECA on 11 June 2025 at Banquet Hall, Bangunan AmBank Group.

Cognisant of the shared, and rising sentiment for corporate-startup convergence & partnership, for innovation, growth, collaboration, and exchange, the iDeas Xchange Series aims to facilitate and encourage networking, interactions, tie-ups and catalytic partnerships between corporate Malaysia and the Malaysian startup ecosystem.

A total of 100 participants comprising members of MAJECA and MASSA, the corporate business community, Government agencies and the members of the startup ecosystem were present.

Tan Sri Azman Hashim, President of MAJECA & MASSA
delivered the Welcome Remarks.

Mr Koichi Takano, Managing Director, Japan External Trade Organisation (JETRO) Kuala Lumpur delivered the Opening Remarks.

Mr Sivavenayakam Velayutham, CEO, KolaXus and
Executive Committee Member of Malaysia-Japan Economic Association (MAJECA) delivered the kick-off remarks and moderated the Startup Sharing Session.

The following four speakers shared on their respective businesses moderated by Mr Sivavenayakam Velayutham, CEO, KolaXus and Executive Committee Member of Malaysia-Japan Economic Association (MAJECA):

Mr TK Chuah, CEO, BoostOrder

Ms Fumiko Inada, CEO, Bee Informatica

Mr Chris Leong, CSO, Soft Space

Mr Jun Jie, CEO, Capsphere

Dato’ Lawrence Lim Swee Lin, Hon. Secretary of MASSA delivered the Closing Remarks.

 

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5) Meeting with MATRADE Trade Commissioner for Indonesia & Timor-Leste on 12 June 2025

MASSA represented by Datuk Merlyn Kasimir, Hon. Assistant Secretary, Ms Ng Su Fun, Executive Secretary, Mr Samuel Loh, Programme Executive, and Ms Nur Syuhaida met with Mr Suresh Kumar, MATRADE Trade Commissioner for Indonesia & Timor-Leste, Mr Mazlan Harun, Director, China & Northeast Asia Section, Exports Promotion and Market Access Division, MATRADE, Mr Nazirul Iman, Manager, ASEAN & Oceania Section, and Ms Nurdiana Ismail, Manager, ASEAN & Oceania Section at MATRADE’s office on 12 June 2025.

The meeting was proposed by MATRADE to connect MASSA with Mr Suresh Kumar, MATRADE Trade Commissioner for Indonesia & Timor-Leste, as well as to discuss further details regarding MASSA’s Business Mission to Timor-Leste.

The discussion highlighted interest from Malaysia in the education & TVET sector, alongside property & tourism, oil & gas, aquaculture, transport, and digitisation and automation services.

 

From left-to-right:
Ms Nur Syuhaida, MASSA, Mr Nazirul Iman, Manager, ASEAN & Oceania Section, MATRADE, Mr Suresh Kumar, MATRADE Trade Commissioner for Indonesia & Timor-Leste, Datuk Merlyn Kasimir, Hon. Assistant Secretary, MASSA, Mr Mazlan Harun, Director, China & Northeast Asia Section, Exports Promotion and Market Access Division, MATRADE, Ms Ng Su Fun, Executive Secretary, MASSA, Ms Nurdiana Ismail, Manager, ASEAN & Oceania Section, MATRADE and Mr Samuel Loh, Programme Executive.

6) MASSA-MDEC Discussion on 19 June 2025 at MDEC Bangsar South: Market Overview & Trade Opportunities in Timor-Leste

MASSA, with the support the Embassy of Malaysia in Timor-Leste, Embassy of Timor-Leste in Malaysia, TradeInvest Timor-Leste, the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) and the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) organised a Discussion on the Market Overview & Trade Opportunities in Timor-Leste on 19 June 2025 at MDEC Bangsar South.

This hybrid discussion, moderated by Ms Ng Su Fun, Executive Secretary, MASSA was intended for Malaysian businesses interested in participating in MASSA’s Business Mission to Timor-Leste 2025, with the view to engage in insightful discussions and preparations with Timor-Leste counterparts ahead of the mission, as well as to hear from successful Malaysian entrepreneurs who have built their businesses in Timor-Leste and to gain further insights into the business opportunities in Timor-Leste.

The discussion saw the participation of around 120 participants in-person and online comprising various business sectors which include machinery, manufacturing, beauty & cosmetics, food & beverage, construction & building, digital & information technology, education & vocational training, fast moving consumer goods, medical products & healthcare and travel & tourism amongst others.

Ms Ng Su Fun, Executive Secretary, MASSA delivered the Welcome Remarks and moderated the Discussion.


H.E. Dato’ Amarjit Sarjit Singh, Ambassador of Malaysia to Timor-Leste delivered his Opening Remarks.


H.E. Lisualdo Gaspar, Ambassador of Timor-Leste to Malaysia delivered his Opening Remarks.


Mr Roberto Lai, Director of External Relations and Marketing, TradeInvest Timor-Leste delivered an overview presentation.


Mr Radihisham Ismail, Senior Manager, Market Development Section, MATRADE delivered a presentation on the grants (especially the Market Development Grant), support and services offered by MATRADE.


Mr Johan Matthieu, Manager, Market Facilitation, New Market Development Department, Digital Export Division, Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) delivered a presentation on the grants (especially the Malaysia Digital X-Port Grant), support and services offered by MDEC.


Dr Jeremiah Chan, Chairperson, Timor-Leste Hotel Owners Association (HOTL) delivered a presentation & sharing on Timor-Leste as a Malaysian living and doing business in the country.


Ms Jolene Teo, COO, Redstar Global Timor LDA delivered a presentation & shared her experience as an investor in Timor-Leste.

MASSA thanks the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) for hosting this fruitful Discussion & networking luncheon at their Bangsar South premise.

7) 34th Annual General Meeting of MASSA held on 25 June 2025

Tan Sri Azman Hashim, President of MASSA convened the Thirty-Fourth (34th) Annual General Meeting (AGM) of MASSA at the Boardroom, 26th Floor, Bangunan Ambank Group, Jalan Raja Chulan, Kuala Lumpur on 25 June 2025.

Tan Sri Azman Hashim delivered his address and the meeting proceeded to unanimously adopt the Annual Report and the audited accounts of the Association for the year ended 31st December 2024. You can read the MASSA Annual Report 2024 – 2025 here: https://www.massa.net.my/massa-2024-2025-annual-report/. The President thanked the Executive Committee and Office Bearers for their continuing support and MASSA members for their participation in MASSA events and activities.

Tan Sri Azman Hashim, Chairman, thanked Office Bearers and Executive Committee Members for their service, and congratulated the newly-elected Office Bearers and Executive Committee members on their appointment for the new term 2025 – 2027.

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8) MASSA-MASSCORP-MAJECA Joint Courtesy Call on YABhg Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamed on 21 July 2025 at Perdana Leadership Foundation, Putrajaya

A Joint Courtesy Call was led by Tan Sri Azman Hashim, President of the Malaysia South-South Association (MASSA) & Malaysia-Japan Economic Association (MAJECA) and Chairman of Malaysian South-South Corporation Berhad (MASSCORP) on YABhg Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamed on 21 July 2025 on the occasion of YABhg Tun’s 100th Birthday at Perdana Leadership Foundation, Putrajaya.

From left-to-right:
Front Row: Dato’ Sri Ahmad Fuaad Mohd Kenali, EXCO Member, MASSA, Tan Sri Datuk Tee Hock Seng, JP, Hon. Treasurer, MASSA, Datuk Merlyn Kasimir, Vice-President, MASSA, Tan Sri Azman Hashim, President, MAJECA & MASSA and Chairman, MASSCORP Berhad, YABhg Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, Datuk Seri Mohamed Iqbal, Vice-President, MAJECA, Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Lodin bin Wok Kamaruddin, Vice-President, MAJECA, Mr Gary Tang, Hon. Secretary, MAJECA, Tan Sri Michael Yeoh, EXCO Member, MAJECA, Mr Isrami Ismail, EXCO Member, MAJECA.

Back Row: Ms Phoon Thye Ling, Secretariat, Ms Ng Su Fun, Executive Secretary, Mr Atasha bin Alias, Member, MAJECA, Mr Rosyd Ali, Mr Johan bin Julis, Member, MAJECA, Mr Mohd Aiemaan bin Mhd Noor, Member, MAJECA, Ms Ann Khoo Kooi, Member, MASSA, Mr Sivavenayakam Velayutham, EXCO, MAJECA & MASSA, Ms Nur Syuhaida, Secretariat and Mr Samuel Loh, Programme Executive.

 

 

Tan Sri Azman Hashim,
President, MAJECA & MASSA and Chairman, MASSCORP Berhad
delivered his remarks to begin the session.

Datuk Seri Mohamed Iqbal, Vice-President, MAJECA
read a Citation from MAJECA to YABhg Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

Datuk Merlyn Kasimir, Vice-President, MASSA read a Citation from
MASSA & MASSCORP to YABhg Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

YABhg Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad delivering his Responding Statement.

Presentation of the Photographic Tribute Booklets from MAJECA and MASSA to YABhg Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad. (from left-to-right) Datuk Seri Mohamed Iqbal, Vice-President, MAJECA, YABhg Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, Tan Sri Azman Hashim, President, MAJECA & MASSA and Chairman, MASSCORP Berhad, and Datuk Merlyn Kasimir, Vice-President, MASSA.

The Tribute Booklet can be viewed here:

 

 

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