Malaysia’s digitisation journey – reinforcing sustainable innovation in the financial ecosystem

Abid Adam, Group Chief Risk & Compliance Officer at Axiata

As a Group Executive for Cyber security and Privacy, he is responsible for leading the Security and Privacy transformation program to ensure Axiata remains one of the leading telecommunications groups in Asia, securing the trust of approximately 350 million subscribers in 11 countries.

Abid is a seasoned executive providing strategic direction, implementation, oversight and guidance on Cybersecurity, Data Privacy, Enterprise Risk Management, and Compliance/Ethics. Before joining Axiata, Abid has led a Cybersecurity function and implemented transformational programmes for a large multi-national financial services organisation spanning across Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Advisory to the Boards and the CXO suite on Cyber and Privacy related matters.

Abid Adam serves as an Executive member to the industry forum, Advisory Board to start-ups and contribute at the World Economic Forum Digital Asean initiatives (Pan ASEAN Data Policy and Cyber Security Taskforce). Adjunct professor and Executive Advisory Board for Cyber(EABC) at Deakin University.

Steve Monaghan, General Partner, FinMirai

Steve Monaghan is a general partner at FinMirai, board member at Rakbank and investment committee member in True Global Ventures (TGV3). Originally a commercial pilot, Steve held senior corporate and banking roles in product, marketing, operations, innovation and general management. He worked for leading corporations and financial institutions including Dell, Compaq, Citigroup, OCBC, Shinsei, DBS Bank and AIA. Throughout his career, he has specialized in introducing new business models, businesses and products in all major markets in Asia and has filed 6 patents in FinTech. Steve hold board level positions in True Global Ventures, Borderless Healthcare Mobile China, HK Israel Trade Association, Pulse Global and a private investor in Artificial Intelligence, Life Sciences, Healthtech, Fintech and ICO’s.

Yew Choong Chew, Chief Data Officer, AmBank Group

Chew is the current Chief Data Officer in AmBank. He attained a Master's degree and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Information Science and Control Engineering from Nagaoka University of Technology, Japan.

He has more than 20 years of working experience in software development, large-scale transformations, data analytics and data management, across multiple industry segments – Banking, Telecommunications, Software Services, Education, Research & Development, Publication, Advertisement, Market Expansion Services.

He has been a technical leader of a wide range of high-impact projects, resulting in 4 patents, with another 3 pending. He is also a co-founder of DIBots IT Solutions Sdn. Bhd., co-founder of Malaysian National Computer Confederation AI Special Interest Group (MNCC-AI SIG) and is appointed as external supervisor for some local universities.

Hu Jie, Professor of Practice, Shanghai Advanced
Institute of Finance, Shanghai Jiao Tong University

Hu Jie is currently the professor of practice at the Shanghai Advanced Institute of Finance (SAIF). His research interests cover fintech, financial institutions and financial markets. He is leading a project on the application of blockchain technology on supply chain finance. Professor Hu formerly worked at the US Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta as a senior financial economist, responsible for research into finance and economics as well as monetary policy analysis and recommendations. Thereafter, he worked in senior management roles in various FIs and technology companies, including Bankers Trust (Hong Kong), BankBoston, Precom and financial business branch of Xunlei.

Pei Si Lai, Managing Director, Digital Bank Project, Grab Financial Group

Pei Si Lai is a seasoned executive with over 25 years of experience in various sectors of the financial industry. Currently serving as the CEO designate of Grab Malaysia's digital bank project, she brings extensive experience in retail banking, wealth management, corporate finance, product and business management, as well as governance. Pei Si has honed her skills and deep customer centricity throughout her career, gaining valuable insights from working in both local and international markets. Prior to her current role, she held the position of managing director and country head, consumer, private and business banking at Standard Chartered in Malaysia.

Peter D. Finn, Co-founder and CEO, Synectify

Peter Finn, PhD, National University of Singapore (NUS) and King’s College London (KCL) is a blockchain expert and early AI adopter with over twenty-five years of information technology experience. He has lectured on blockchain and business transformation at Singapore Management University (SMU) and developed IBF-accredited courses for industry professionals. His broad academic and industry experience covers both theoretical and technical disciplines ranging from political theory and classical philosophy to software development, decentralised finance, systems engineering, aviation, marine operations, and renewable energy. He is a serial entrepreneur, confident leader, passionate educator, and life-long learner.

Daniel Li, Chief Digital Officer, Bank of China (Hong Kong)

Daniel Li is the Chief Digital Officer at BOCHK, where he joined in December 2021 to lead the development and implementation of the digital transformation strategy for the personal banking & wealth management business. As the head of BOCHK's digital banking department, Daniel is instrumental in driving the transition of the bank from a traditional institution to a digital powerhouse.

With a strong focus on customer obsession, Daniel is driven by data-driven insights and embraces a lean and agile approach, fostering a growth mindset that encourages experimentation. His leadership is pivotal in shaping BOCHK's future as it navigates the digital landscape. Having worked with renowned institutions such as Citibank, Standard Chartered, and DBS in Singapore over 25 years, his expertise extends across various domains including digital transformation, digital banking, data management, and wealth management.

U-Zyn Chua, Co-founder and CTO, Cake Group

U-Zyn Chua is the CTO and Co-Founder of Cake Group, one of the fastest growing digital assets innovators. He is a technologist and engineer that's highly passionate about technology, cybersecurity, decentralization, finance, and blockchain. Since 2010, he has been actively involved in the technology ecosystems of Bitcoin and later Ethereum. He has designed and engineered numerous tools and solutions in the blockchain space.

U-Zyn was one of the original co-founders of DeFiChain, the world’s first native DeFi blockchain for the Bitcoin network devoted to decentralized monetary applications and services, where he formerly served as lead researcher. He was also the first Singapore Smart Nation Fellow under Singapore GovTech, and has also made global headlines as the lead architect of the world’s first retail Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC), the Sand Dollar, in the Bahamas.

Daniel Holmes, Fraud Prevention SME, Feedzai

Part of the Feedzai Product Strategy team, Daniel Holmes collaborates closely with banks worldwide to support their understanding of the full range of fraud prevention and detection capabilities offered by Feedzai. His primary focus is aligning the company's product strategy with the future market direction, ensuring that Feedzai maintains its position at the forefront of the industry. Dan also plays a crucial role in enabling other teams within Feedzai to deliver exceptional customer service and achieve outstanding results. Widely regarded as a thought leader in the field, he frequently authors white papers and blogs, engages with press and analysts, and speaks on stage at prestigious events around the world. Prior to joining Feedzai, Dan served as the Director of Solutions at LexisNexis Risk Solutions and held various positions related to fraud at Lloyds Banking Group UK. In these roles, he utilized the latest digital fraud technology to safeguard the bank's online and mobile users, showcasing his extensive expertise in the field.

Gerald Goh, Co-founder and CEO, Sygnum

Gerald Goh is co-founder and CEO at Sygnum Singapore. With a strong background in alternative investments, Gerald previously served as the head of alternative investments for CrimsoNox Capital, a single-family office. Prior to this, he held the position of managing director at global investment consultant Cambridge Associates, where he specialized in private investments and collaborated with a range of prestigious institutions, including sovereign wealth funds, endowments, foundations, pension funds, and single-family offices. Gerald played a pivotal role in establishing the Beijing office for Cambridge Associates in 2011.

Kalyani Nair, Group Chief Digital Officer, Maybank

As the group chief digital officer, Kalyani Nair holds the responsibility for overseeing all digital channels within Maybank Group. With a passion for digital banking innovation, she has been integral in creating several pioneering services in the online and mobile sectors. Kalyani's primary objective is to drive the digitisation process and revolutionise the way customers engage with the bank. Her educational background includes a masters in corporate communications, complemented by her extensive decade-long experience in the field of digital banking.

Bhupendra Warathe, Managing Director, Accenture Banking & Cloud Lead for Japan, APAC & Middle East Lead, Accenture

Bhupendra Warathe is a seasoned professional with over three decades of experience in the banking and IT industries. Currently, he holds the role of leading the banking & cloud practice in Technology Services at Accenture, overseeing the Asia Pacific, Africa, and Middle East market. In his position, Bhupendra is dedicated to assisting C-suite executives within the banking sector in developing effective strategies for digital transformation. He is also committed to promoting cloud adoption to drive continuous innovation and foster business growth.

Bhupen's extensive background includes working with esteemed financial institutions such as Standard Chartered and Deutsche Bank. During this time, he focused on corporate, institutional, and retail banking client segments. Bhupen excels in various areas, including large-scale business transformations, mergers and acquisitions, digital journeys, and global operations and IT delivery. He has published articles in the areas of payments, trade finance, and digital transformations and is a regular speaker at key industry, business and partner conferences.

Fozia Amanulla, CEO Designate of the Digibank and Deputy CEO, Boost Credit

Fozia currently serves as the Deputy Chief Executive Officer of Boost Credit and is the CEO Designate of Digibank. Boost Credit is an AI-based micro-financing business under Boost, the regional full spectrum fintech arm of Axiata. Before joining Boost Credit, Fozia held the position of Chief Business Development Officer at Alliance Bank Malaysia Berhad, where she spearheaded the bank's transformation into digital ecosystems and formed strategic partnerships. Prior to that, she served as the CEO of Alliance Islamic Bank Berhad, demonstrating her extensive experience and expertise in various leadership roles within the banking industry in Malaysia, including investment banking, corporate and commercial, SME, consumer, and Islamic banking. Fozia also previously served as a board member of the Chartered Institute of Islamic Finance Professionals (CIIF).

Benjamin Lee, Acting Head, BIS Innovation Hub
Singapore Centre

Benjamin Lee is currently serving as the Acting Centre Head for the Bank for International Settlements Innovation Hub (BISIH) in Singapore. He was seconded to the BISIH through the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) and played a crucial role in establishing and launching the centre, as well as overseeing its projects pipeline. The BIS Innovation Hub, a collaboration between the BIS and partner central banks, aims to delve into key technology trends impacting central banking, develop technology-based solutions to enhance the global financial system, and serve as a hub connecting central bank experts in innovation. Before taking on this position, Benjamin built a successful career in central banking, primarily at the MAS, where he specialized in international finance. Additionally, he gained valuable experience in public finance administration matters at the Ministry of Finance in Singapore. Benjamin's expertise was further acknowledged when he assumed the role of Singapore's representative to the Executive Board of the World Bank Group, stationed in Washington DC from 2014 to 2016.

Educationally, Benjamin holds an MBA from Hult International Business School and a Bachelor of Social Science (Political Science) from the National University of Singapore.

Bill Streitberg, Chief Information and Technology Officer
Hong Leong Bank

Bill Streitberg is the Chief Information and Technology Officer at Hong Leong Bank (HLB). With an impressive track record of over 20 years in the field, Bill is renowned for his expertise in Information technology management, projects, operations, strategy, and architecture.

In his current role at HLB, Bill spearheads the implementation of continual operational improvements, digital innovations, and the development of an innovative, robust, and secure information technology environment for the Bank. His leadership has been instrumental in driving the Bank's success in the ever-evolving digital landscape.

Before joining Hong Leong Bank, Bill honed his skills and knowledge during his 18-year tenure in information technology roles across renowned organizations, including computer sciences corporation, IBM, and CIMB Bank

Bill is a distinguished graduate of Sophia College Queensland Australia, embodying the values of education and lifelong learning. Additionally, he holds professional certifications in Information Technology from TAFE New South Wales St George, Australia, and a Project Management Professional Certification from the esteemed Project Management Institute.

Gary Yeoh, Chief Commercial Officer, PayNet

As PayNet's Chief Commercial Officer, Gary Yeoh brings a wealth of expertise and leadership to his role, overseeing the company's relationships with all participants.

Prior to joining PayNet, Gary held several senior management positions where he excelled in driving growth and operations. He was instrumental in the founding of Boost, a groundbreaking e-wallet application that offers a rewarding user experience to loyal customers. Additionally, Gary founded the Berjaya Loyalty program (Bcard), earning recognition for his innovative thinking and exceptional leadership skills. His experience as Country Manager of Fave and General Manager of BNPL operator Atome allowed him to forge collaborations across the financial ecosystem, resulting in the development of innovative solutions to address evolving customer needs.

Gary holds a Bachelor of Law degree (Barrister at Law Lincoln's Inn) from the prestigious University of Westminster in the United Kingdom. With his extensive industry knowledge and diverse professional background, Gary is poised to lead PayNet to new heights of success.

Foo Boon Ping, President and Managing Editor, The Asian Banker

Foo Boon Ping manages The Asian Banker’s publishing and research business in Asia Pacific, the Middle East and Africa. He regularly engages the financial services community on transformational issues shaping the industry; speaking at and chairing many of the Asian Banker’s as well as partners’ events. He has more than 25 years' experience in strategic brand management, corporate & marketing communication and research & consulting, covering: retail, corporate and transaction banking, financial markets, risk management, compliance and financial technology. He had previously served in senior management positions at UOB and DBS Bank. He was also formerly a senior consulting manager at Ernst and Young and started his career as a financial journalist.

Christian Kapfer, Research Director, The Asian Banker

Christian Kapfer is research director at The Asian Banker, leading research and consulting engagement with top-tier financial institutions in benchmarking business and strategic capabilities across leadership, commercial, retail and transaction finance, financial markets, risk management, financial technology, and wealth management. Kapfer joined The Asian Banker in 2014 and was responsible for starting many of the company's research programmes, such as Excellence in Retail Financial Services, AB 500 Strongest Banks Ranking and Working Groups.

Peter Murray, Country General Manager Malaysia and Emgerging Markets, AWS

Peter Murray is the Country General Manager for AWS Malaysia and Asia Emerging Markets and the Chairperson of AWS Cambodia.

Pete joined AWS in early 2019, based in Singapore. He has been working with AWS’s customers across all segments and levels of Cloud adoption with a focus in Financial Services where he was AWS’ regional head. In 2023, Peter relocated to Malaysia to lead the Commercial Sales business for AWS Malaysia and Asia Emerging Markets comprising fast growing countries like Cambodia and Pakistan. He leads a team of Sales and Technologists working with customers and partners across all industries and customer segments. Prior to this, Pete was the Head of AWS ASEAN’s Financial Services Sales and Business Development functions which is the fastest growing industry vertical for AWS in ASEAN. He is an expert in Financial Services and regulated industries customers moving to cloud, across emerging and developed countries.

Prior to joining AWS Pete had a 15 year career in Banking working from 2009-2017 with ANZ Banking Group in Australia and Singapore. At ANZ he was the Global Head of Client Services and Head of Product Management for the Global Markets Operations business based in Singapore. Prior to this he worked for Macquarie Bank and National Australia Bank in Sydney, Melbourne and Beijing, China. Upon leaving Banking Peter spent 2 years leading the APAC commercial business for Delta Capita, a Technology and Business Managed Services, FinTech and Consulting firm headquartered in London.

Wilson Chia, International Resource Director, The Asian Banker

Wilson is one of the most experienced digital bankers in the world with over 30 years as a career banker, mostly with Standard Chartered Bank in international positions. He was also as a director in Fullerton Financial Holdings, the financial services investment arm of Singapore’s sovereign fund Temasek, where he served in board positions in India, Pakistan, China, Malaysia, Indonesia and others.

He has a strong sense of the bottomline, garnered from his financial-controller roles in multinational companies prior to banking. He continues in advisory roles to CEOs of leading banks in emerging markets especially in the area of digitalising their traditional business lines. His strong balance sheet, funding and product disciplines makes him an invaluable contributor to the operational areas covered in this programme.

Rafiza Ghazali, CEO Designate, KAF Digital Bank

Rafiza Ghazali is with KAF Investment Bank as the Director of Digital Banking. As CEO Designate of the Islamic digital bank consortium being led by KAF Investment Bank, she will spearhead the project team for the incorporation and operational readiness process of the Islamic digital bank entity.

Prior to joining KAF Investment Bank, Rafiza was the Group Chief Executive Officer of Cradle Fund Sdn Bhd, where she collaborated closely with the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI) and the Ministry of Finance (MOF), tasked in supporting and develop Malaysian start-ups and tech entrepreneurs.

Rafiza’s wealth of experience in the innovation and digital economy, deep familiarity with various start-up businesses viability and its fund-raising journey and fostering partnership and collaboration with various stakeholders makes her uniquely positioned to drive the digital bank value proposition at providing a conducive open-banking platform-based ecosystem to its customers and partners.

Rafiza served in senior capacities for several industry leading-companies including as the Chief Financial Officer of RHB Investment Bank Berhad and Cagamas Berhad, the Finance Director at Bank Negara Malaysia, and the Head of Islamic Finance, Asia at Thomson Reuters. She also previously held the role of Head of Group Strategy and Innovation at Sime Darby Berhad.

Rafiza’s academic career includes BSc Economics in Accounting and Finance from The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), Graduate Diploma in Applied Finance and Investment majoring in Corporate Finance from the Securities Institute of Australia. She is also a Fellow Member of the Chartered Accountants Australia & New Zealand (CAANZ). She also graduated from the Saïd Business School at the University of Oxford with a Post Graduate Diploma in Strategy and Innovation.