Alvin Chang

Chief Executive Officer of ACG Media Sdn Bhd

“The collection of print in a library, indicates a brilliant mind behind the person, and a well-placed magazine in the living room adds a touch of class and culture, instead of an iPad”

Alvin Chang is the CEO of ACGMEDIA and an Asia-Pacific Ambassador of the International Federation of Interior Architects/Designers (IFI) in the design world. He has the Midas-touch in brand building, brand positioning and an influential media authority.

As a media veteran who’s been in the industry for more than 28 years, this is what all marketeers and communications managers spew out whenever we delve into the subject of print, a media option among many others. “Who reads magazines and newspapers nowadays?” they said.

Ever since digital media was introduced in 1986, it revolutionises the market by storm. The music industry was the first to embrace this technology with compact disc and mini disc. Then it evolved into MySpace and Napster. Subsequently, it exploded into other platforms such as Facebook, Hotmail, search engines such as Yahoo, MSN and many others. Today the influence of digital media includes Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Pinterest, Snapchat, LinkedIn and many more. I believe there will be many more innovations popping up each year as each new generations find their own space to express their own point of views. People generally want to be heard. But there are pros and cons to such media developments.

While the strength of digital media is in its speed of delivery, it may not necessarily carry the ‘authentication’ of the story. Therefore, one can literally twist and drown out the “voice of truth” in a “sea of lies”, given the information to a sinister mind. We all know that “with repetition, even a lie can become truth” as quoted by Nazi propagandist Joseph Goebbel. So, while we gain the advantage of better access to information, greater interaction, more engaging content with creative delivery and lower cost production, simultaneously, we sacrificed facts verification and accuracy, and privacy issue. 

However, print does not have the luxury that digital media offers. Print is slow and meticulous. It cost more to produce print media; therefore, contents must be selective, newsworthy, and useful. The sensory experience of picking up a physical book enhances our pleasure of reading. So, unlike digital media, with metaphorical resemblances to a whimsical sports car, print is the vintage that every collector’s desire. The collection of print in a library, indicates a brilliant mind behind the person, and a well-placed magazine in the living room adds a touch of class and culture, instead of an iPad.

With all said and done, there are no doubt that digital media will continue to dominate every aspect of our lives, as the Gen Z and Gen Alpha eventually will take leadership in future. But as of now, with Baby Boomers still at the helm of print media industry, we will continue to savour the luxury of print while it lasts. Because every vintage has a story. 

Tony Goh Nai Heng

General Manager of The Wembley, Penang & Cititel Express, Penang

“My team is very important to us. They are our strength.
Without their hard work and relentless contributions and efforts, we would not be what we are today”

“There is no right or wrong in whatever we do but we must always maintain our integrity and preserve our principles”

Tony Goh Nai Heng is a prominent personality in the service and hospitality industry, currently serving as the General Manager of The Wembley, Penang, and Cititel Express, Penang. With over 38 years of experience, Tony’s leadership has had a significant impact on the industry.

Tony’s journey began at Les Roches hotel school in Switzerland, where he developed his skills and passion for hospitality. He climbed the ranks, holding senior management positions in renowned hotels within the Shangri-La and Swiss Garden groups. Notably, he achieved remarkable milestones as the General Manager of Cititel Mid Valley Kuala Lumpur and Cititel Penang.

Currently, Tony leads a dedicated team at The Wembley – A St Giles Hotel, Penang and Cititel Express in George Town, Penang. These landmark hotels, located in the heart of the city, offer 415 and 234 rooms respectively. Tony’s role is crucial in ensuring smooth operations and creating a Totally Fulfilling Experience for every guest. He emphasises the importance of his team, recognising their hard work and contributions as the foundation of the hotels’ success.

In addition to his managerial responsibilities, Tony serves as the Chairman of the Malaysian Association of Hotels, Penang Chapter. He is committed to transforming Penang into a home away from home for all tourists. Even during the challenging times of the COVID-19 pandemic, Tony’s dedication was instrumental in keeping the industry relevant despite economic adversities and reduced tourism rates.

As a visionary leader, Tony focuses on creating a clear vision for the future and inspiring others to join him in achieving it. He believes in upholding integrity and preserving principles.

Beyond his professional pursuits, Tony actively participates in events that promote the well-being and development of Penang. He is known for his passionate and charitable nature, extending assistance to individuals and organisations without judgement or condescension. With his visionary leadership and dedication, he continues to leave a positive impact on the industry while actively contributing to the betterment of Penang’s community. 

“There is no exercise better for the heart than reaching down
and lifting people up”

Timur Flores

“Even though my family is now based in Europe, Malaysia is home for me. I love the warmth, the variety of food and the multitude of cultures, and that’s why I decided to begin my music journey here”

Timur Flores, a prodigious singer-songwriter with a Swiss-Sarawakian heritage, holds a profound connection to Malaysia, where she was born and raised.

Despite her academic achievements, including a Masters degree in Engineering from Oxford University and a stint in the financial industry, Timur made the bold choice to pursue a career in the realm of pop music. Fuelled by her lifelong passion for diverse musical genres and dance, she sought to carve a path for herself in the creative industry.

Blessed with a captivating voice that seamlessly blends melodious tones with an undeniable power, Timur has dedicated recent years to honing her songwriting abilities. Now, she stands resolute in her ambition to establish her presence not only in Malaysia but also on the global stage. Timur, whose very name evokes the spirit of the East, endeavours to channel her songwriting and hip-hop dancing talents back into her homeland, seeking success in the East while captivating audiences worldwide.

Although Timur departed for the UK at the age of 15 to pursue further education, her heart remains firmly rooted in Malaysia. The country’s warm embrace, its vibrant array of culinary delights, and its rich multicultural tapestry serve as a wellspring of inspiration for her musical journey.

Recently, Timur unveiled a tetralogy of songs—Not A Criminal, Sabotage, Love You Now, and Carnival—each accompanied by a meticulously crafted music video. This musical quartet, a testament to Timur’s creativity, weaves an engaging narrative that transcends individual tracks and advocates for championing the innocent against bullying. Collaborating with accomplished teams hailing from LA and Sweden, renowned for their work with notable K-pop groups, Timur’s songs resonate with authenticity and relatability.

Among the multitude of artists who have influenced her, none have left as indelible a mark on Timur as Shakira. Her formative years were filled with admiration for Shakira’s mesmerising dance skills and magnetic stage presence. Now, Timur is poised to release her own self-written song titled “Dance Through My Heart” this summer—a poignant expression of her beliefs and personal experiences. 

Datuk Seri Paul Chong

Managing Partner of Knights Capital Partners

“The ability to use forward-looking statements and future projections in the De-SPAC prospectus allows investors to better gauge a company’s future prospects, hence justifying the higher valuation”

“Listing a company via a SPAC has many advantages: it is less costly, and is a faster and surer way to get listed compared to a traditional IPO”

“SPACs democratised the IPO process”

Datuk Seri Paul Chong is the Managing Partner of Knights Capital Partners, a regional private equity fund, and a Venture Partner at the global investment bank ARC Group. In addition to sponsoring multiple NASDAQ-listed Special Purpose Acquisition Companies (“SPACs”) in 2020-2023, Paul and ARC Group have completed the most NASDAQ SPAC IPOs of any firm in Asia.

He co-founded TNG FinTech Group, Asia’s largest ex-China fintech company with a presence in 16 countries, which owns Tranglo, Malaysia’s largest authorised B2B payments settlement and remittance company.

Paul previously managed the Rothschild Creat Partners Fund (a US$750 million global private equity fund) and the Mitsubishi Creat Fund (a Japan-focused private equity fund worth ¥10 billion/US$130 million).

With three decades of experience in investment banking and private equity, including holding senior positions at Goldman Sachs and UBS Investment Bank, he completed numerous initial public offerings (IPOs) on major exchanges, such as New York, NASDAQ, London, Hong Kong, Australia, Korea, Frankfurt, Singapore, Taiwan, and Kuala Lumpur.

Paul holds a law degree from the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) as well as an MBA from the London Business School (LBS). He is also a fellow member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW). 

Dr. Taraz-Lee

Vice Chairman of the Sports Chiropractic Council Malaysia

“An illness or condition must be viewed holistically in order to provide the best possible care to patients.”

Dr. Taraz-Lee is a multilingual, multicultural graduate of the Anglo-European College of Chiropractic in the United Kingdom.

His own background and interpersonal skills, combined with his diverse educational experience both regionally and abroad, make him a natural communicator who speaks English, Bahasa Melayu, and Mandarin fluently.

Currently the Vice Chairman of the Sports Chiropractic Council Malaysia, Dr. Taraz has extensive first-hand experience with both team and individual sports as an athlete as well as a coach. He strives to help athletes achieve their personal goals and pushes them to perform at their full potential. Alongside this, he dreams of one day representing the country in raising the standards of local sports through sports rehabilitation and performance. He is also a member of the Association of Chiropractic Malaysia.

In terms of work as service, Dr. Taraz finds meaning and purpose in giving back to the community. Having taken part in several service events, one of the most memorable was a trip to India, where a group of chiropractors treated 40,000 people over the course of five days. Dr. Taraz’s perspective on the impact he can have on people’s lives has been shaped by this heart-warming experience.

Dr. Taraz practises integrative medicine and greatly believes that an illness or disease must be viewed in its entirety in order to provide the best possible care to patients. 

Dr. Ch’ng Huck Khoon

Director of CHK Consultancy Sdn Bhd

“My aim is to share my knowledge on corporate compliance, sustainability strategies, cases and solutions on ESG to as many as possible.”

“Corporate compliance issues are becoming increasingly important to regulatory authorities.”

After obtaining a PhD in Finance from Universiti Sains Malaysia, Dr. Ch’ng devoted himself to the financial and capital industry and has been working in this field for the last 30 years. In addition to establishing his own corporate consulting company, he has also been invited by five public listed companies to serve as an independent director, and he has held important positions such as the Chairman of the Board, Chairman of Audit Committee and Risk Management Committee.

He often publishes current issues and financial-related topics in major newspapers and magazines, invited to speak on radio and television shows, and online media. He is also the author of the book “How to Select a Winning Stock”.

“He has been invited to conduct more than 1,000 seminars including public listed company director training to more than 20,000 local and foreign financial and capital services professionals in the last 20 years.”

Dr. Ch’ng also provides consulting services to large corporations. He has extensive expertise in corporate compliance, especially in Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG), Anti-Corruption, Money Laundering and Digital Economy issues that are becoming a grave concern for regulatory authorities and corporations in our country.

As he foresees the increasing importance of ESG, Anti-Corruption and Anti-Money Laundering procedures, he will be conducting more public seminars in these areas, sharing sustainability strategies, cases and solutions.

Alex Castaldi

Senior General Manager, Sunway City Kuala Lumpur Hotels

“Sunway Resort underwent a US$60 million transformation recently, further entrenching the resort as a Kuala Lumpur icon and raising the bar for international hospitality”

“Alex Castaldi, the Senior General Manager of Sunway City Kuala Lumpur Hotels shares with EZ the vision behind the transformation”

A multimillion-dollar transformation of Sunway Resort has created a unique destination in Kuala Lumpur with a focus on gastronomy. The resort took the lead to introduce a new signature dining destination, the Gordon Ramsay Bar & Grill, as the Michelin-starred chef’s debut in Malaysia. According to Alex, this brings the style and sophistication of London to Sunway City. If that was not enough, in the pipeline is yet another famous restaurant chain, this time a New York-based chain. The Black Tap Craft Burgers & Shakes will be introducing its craft burgers and world-famous CrazyShake® milkshakes to Sunway Resort by the end of 2022.

“Sunway Resort’s transformation is a bold drive to seal Sunway City Kuala Lumpur’s position as Asia’s leading fully-integrated premier hospitality and entertainment destination.”

He said the next phases of Sunway Resort’s dramatic transformation will be progressively revealed next year, including the launch of more themed suites, dedicated family spaces and leisure facilities. “We will also be launching more exciting new world-class dining outlets soon,” he adds.

The resort has also adopted technological solutions so that it stays on trend in the face of digitalisation. “Gen Z, millennials, and digital natives make up an ever-greater proportion of travellers; as they’ve grown up with modern technology,” Alex notes. Therefore, the resort has a selection of themed suites enhanced by state-of-the-art solutions such as keyless room entry, motion sensor night lights, IPTV and “iButlers”, who are on hand to deliver gadgets and set up devices. 

Alex is optimistic that the hospitality industry in Malaysia will bounce back. “The future seems upbeat,” he says. He believes Malaysia could be a quality tourism destination that offers unique and diverse experiences to the discerning traveller of this post-pandemic era.

Dato’ Lee Teong Li

Director and Regional GM – Amphenol TCS Malaysia

Dato’ Lee Tiong Li is no exception as he has attained exemplary achievements over the course of almost five decades, but it all began when he was only a teenager. After finishing his Fifth Form in Penang Free School in the late 70s, Lee worked as a plumber and then a production operator.

Little did he know that his first modest job would be the catalyst in paving the way to his stellar career spanning more than four decades in Design, Engineering and Operations in the Electronics and Electrical industries.

After obtaining his computer certification and university degree, Lee left Malaysia for the Philippines in the mid-90s. Definitely not one to be confined to familiar settings, Lee was one of the pioneers to start up a Japanese MNC outside of Japan and later moved to the US.

His experience working abroad had made him an invaluable asset for multinational companies in the USA, Japan, the Philippines and Malaysia.

Lee was eventually headhunted to return to Penang in the early 2000s to lead a frame manufacturer which was subsequently listed on the Kuala Lumpur Stock Exchange main board. He soon decided to venture out to set up his own company Amphenol Corporation which was eventually acquired in 2008.

This led to Amphenol TCS Malaysia’s journey of excellence and expansion under Lee’s leadership by quadrupling the revenue of Amphenol TCS Malaysia to RM500 million per annum from its spin-off, resulting in foreign direct investments of about RM700 million being poured into Penang.

Having built and assembled some of the world’s high-speed and high-density connectors and generating over 800 employment opportunities in the newly set-up third factory facility – Amphenol DC Electronics Malaysia, in Batu Kawan, Penang under Lee’s leadership has been steadily growing and winning numerous awards and is poised to achieve many milestones over the years to come.

Dato’ Lee is also presently the Chairman of the Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers (FMM) Penang.

One to always give back to society, Dato’ Lee finds time to support and serve the community, collaborate with local associations and government departments and is passionate in matters relating to the environment, healthcare, education, sports and welfare of the seniors and youth.

Adam Ham

CEO – Global Creative and Media Agency (GCMA)

A prominent name in the industry with over 20 years of experience, Adam Ham is known as ‘The Media Man’ – a title given to him by industry leaders for his astounding capabilities to turn even the toughest of public relations (PR) projects into a success. Having serviced government bodies, corporate companies, celebrities, and film producers in the past, Ham is certain that most people are unaware of how rapidly PR has evolved and changed in the span of two years; failure to recognise these changes can be detrimental.

Experts claim that humanity made its biggest leap in technological advancements when COVID-19 spread throughout the globe. In fact, the pandemic changed many things for humanity from social life to purchase methods and even PR. Ham, however, had the privilege of witnessing the evolution of PR for the past 20 years, dating back to the days when he used to work for the government.

Growing up in Japan and furthering his studies in the United States of America, Ham’s father served Tun Dr. Mahathir bin Mohamad in the government, thus, having his education sponsored; in exchange, Ham has to serve the government in a field of his choosing for a minimum of 10 years. Hence, his journey began at the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) where he worked as an entertainment specialist, primarily coordinating trade missions for international festivals and exporting local content and talents to the global market.

Although his PR skills were instinctive, Ham acquired most of his knowledge in the field from the 10 years spent at MDEC. There, he came to the realisation that failures occur on many occasions when PR and marketing were not planned properly. Ham had creative ideas to bring to the table and was soon given the opportunity to plan and execute PR campaigns for various companies and producers with tremendous success.

As a matter of fact, Ham’s impact is still recognised today, 12 years after leaving the government. The Media Man was recently nominated to be an advisor for the National Film Development Corporation Malaysia (FINAS) for a period of two years, because of the fame he has garnered in international marketing for the creative and entertainment industry throughout his career. The Mandalorian, 6 Underground, The Summit-97, Ultraman, The Kid from the Big Apple, and The Summit-97, are among some of the projects that Ham has taken into his own hands. 

“I am here to share my great experience and inspiration for the industry from the PR perspective.Currently, the landscape for trading content has evolved and changed, as TV stations no longer have a huge budget for acquisition, and Netflix is dominant. We have to share our knowledge on how people can make a living from abroad now,” Ham commented. 

Currently, the master in PR owns an agency called Global Creative and Media Agency (GCMA) which is most sought after across all industries. Ham claims that GCMA quickly grew in demand after he had attended several Malaysia Retail Chain Association (MRCA) and Business Network International (BNI) gatherings.

“After I left the Government, I truly wanted to build my career in PR and help companies across all industries come to a realisation of how PR can make a difference in their businesses. Most Malaysian companies have no idea about this, and they rarely set aside any budget for this. It was a challenge, but I was all set to take the bull by the horns,” he said.

As a PR agency that makes most of its income from organising successful events, Ham’s company nearly shut down when the pandemic came about. Without any income for months on end, Ham did everything possible to survive – even as much as to offer catering services. This period made for a lot of changes in the world; some more apparent than others. People began using online platforms, e-wallets, and most companies have found a way to offer their services online, these were all common and addressed just about everywhere. But what about PR? Has it changed over the past 2 years?

Ham responds, “Yes, as the economy softened and recession happened, the media landscape wasn’t able to sustain, and gradually PR had to be much more creative and more newsworthy to attract journalists for our clients. Moreover, we also had to know how to create smart relationships with the media players to have a balance that benefits everyone, whilst providing them with great stories.”

Commenting on how the pandemic has affected PR, Ham said, “PR is more important now than before the pandemic. It brings visibility to the brand in an era where fighting for the spotlight is extremely challenging due to the social media culture that floods the internet. Right now, about 30-50% of the market is still being cautious about hosting PR events with huge crowds; though it is important to keep safe from COVID-19, we cannot shift into an endemic stage and recover from the damage caused by COVID-19 by not acting.”

“We do not know what the future holds. For all we know, there is still a possibility of a lockdown of sorts; thus, businesses must take a 360 approach by preparing for every possible outcome and playing their cards right. Another notable thing to consider is the KOLs (Key Opinion Leader) and their social media pages, which allow for high brand visibility, with easily identified target audiences. Engaging influencers is sort of a norm these days, and it has proven effective in brand visibility and marketing.” 

Dato AR. Ooi Sian Hian

Owner – 123 Macalister
Executive Chairman – Ghee Hiang

When George Town was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2008, it was a time that all Penangites, regardless of race and religion rejoiced. The Penang State Government even announced 7th July as an annual holiday and in 2010, mooted George Town Festival, an annual cultural festival held within the city to commemorate this momentous achievement. Not to mention the renewed interest in heritage preservation and investment suddenly spiked and property prices for pre-war houses sky rocketed. It was a crazy period where everyone wanted to own a piece of history.

Almost fifteen years later, Dato Ar Ooi Sian Hian finally unveiled 123 Macalister – the century-old ancestral house where his siblings and cousins spent countless weekends visiting their relatives and grandmother. “We played baseball, softball and even cycled around the huge compound. After that we would shower, have dinner then continue on with board games or card games,” Dato Ooi recalled fondly. “It was a childhood that today’s generation cannot understand but the wonderful memories of growing up in this house will always be in my heart,” he continues.

123 Macalister was abandoned and in a dilapidated state by 2012. The house was stripped off its furniture, windows, doors and finally all the timber floor boards due to the fact that it was left empty since the demise of the last occupant. Subsequently, Dato Ooi and his siblings bought over the house in 2017 when it was totally desecrated and sunlight had pierced through the damaged roof tiles. Being an architect himself, he decided to take up the challenge to restore this heritage building with the help of an architect friend Ar Au Tai Yeow. “Although I have restored a few Ghee Hiang buildings including 216 Macalister and 97 Beach Street, 123 Macalister was by far in the worst condition where one can say that the building was luckily left with only 4 solid walls and strong basic structures. Rest were all gone!” exclaimed Dato Ooi when thinking back. With strict regulations and much difficulties, all materials used for this restoration work have to come from the same era making sure that this late 19th century building reclaims its glory while keeping restoration cost in tight reins and making sure proper approvals were obtained from the local building authorities.

“The Penang State Government would like to commend Dato Ooi for his effort and fervour to preserve this historical building. Such conservation works and projects are an integral aspect that tells the vibrant story of George Town, ultimately reinstating this historical city to its former glory for our future generations,” said Penang State Executive Councillor for Tourism and Creative Economy, YB Yeoh Soon Hin. Yeoh also reiterated that the Penang State Government not only adopted a proactive approach in heritage preservation and conservation, it has also established George Town World Heritage Incorporated to manage, safeguard and promote the inscribed properties and to pioneer heritage awareness and outreach among the youth and the general public.

Today, Dato Ooi is not only proud to showcase this beautiful piece of Penang heritage but strongly believes that this is what all Penangites should have in their heart –  that is to try their very best to preserve Penang’s rich history, heritage and culture. “A generation that ignores history has no past and no future,” added Dato Ooi before ending the interview.