#chtawards

CHT PURSUIT OF EXCELLENCE AWARD - PHILANTHROPY

Dato' Ruby Khong

Founder & Philanthropist of Kechara Soup Kitchen (KSK)

An entrepreneur with a heart of gold, the aptly named Dato’ Ruby Khong is celebrated most of all not for her discriminating taste in precious gems but for her selfless side which maintains an altruistic glow. Opting on her own accord to relinquish a lifestyle of sheer opulence, the once socialite and island-owner went from fine-dining at luxury hotels to eating the humble pie and feeding 10,000 homeless people in a single month.

The founder and once president of Kechara Soup Kitchen for eight years, her persisting acts of kindness aren’t random. It was under her angelic wing that the organisation expanded its distribution of 20 food packets per week in 2006 to 2,500 today. With a presence in Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Kuantan, and Johor Bahru, the outfit has since broadened its services to include medical aid, laundry facilities, counselling, and job placements for the destitute.

In 2012, a mobile clinic debuted as part of her vision to offer the less fortunate access to better healthcare. The said launch was followed up with the premiere of Kechara’s Food Bank, an initiative dedicated to distributing pre-loved non-perishable provisions to underprivileged families and small non-governmental organisations across the Klang Valley.

CHT PURSUIT OF EXCELLENCE AWARD - TERTIARY EDUCATION

Sunway Education Group, Malaysia

A marque rooted in educational excellence while seasoned by time-tested prestige, the Sunway Education Group (SEG) exudes a homegrown heritage aged in visionary leadership. Structured upon a foundation held up by the pillars of solidarity and knowledge, its rich history has persisted for nearly three decades. With its maiden tertiary voyage dating back to 1986, the establishment that was once Sunway College has travelled quite a ways since.

Governed and owned by the Jeffrey Cheah Foundation, the group incorporated in 2009 is today a complementary consolidation of at least 13 dedicated institutions. Founded by the man himself, and remembered by a legendary metamorphosis which has culminated in a journey leading down the path to becoming the ‘Harvard of the East’, the brand boasts a momentous trail coloured by a long but equal line of triumphs and tribulations.

The stately home of the internationally-acclaimed Sunway College(1986), Sunway TES(1994), Monash University Malaysia (1998), Sunway International Business & Management(2002), Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine & Health Sciences(2005), Sunway International School(2008), Sunway Le Cordon Bleu (2010), Sunway University(2011), Jeffrey Cheah Institute of Southeast Asia(2014), and four other entities, SEG is only just getting started.

CHT PURSUIT OF EXCELLENCE NATIONAL AWARD - TOURISM

Dato' Mirza Mohammad Taiyab

Director General of Tourism Malaysia

Having devoted more than three decades to tackling the challenges faced by an industry marked by tremendous volatility due to constant market fluctuations across an ever-evolving landscape, Tourism Malaysia’s director general, Dato’ Mirza Mohammad, is a national treasure with the fortitude to match. A personality equipped with the stamina to keep up with the times, his loyal contributions are a testament to his steadfast passion.

A tenacious marketer steeped in expansive capability, the task of positioning Malaysia as a harmonious melting pot of cultures and beloved travel destination in world’s eyes has been his ultimate mandate. Under his leadership, the rise of the country’s international and domestic touristic value has been significant, recording a 50% increase over the past 10 years alone—a journey riddled with rocky turns yet met with staggering success.

Amidst relentless competition, his team of mission-receptive players has welcomed growth as well as placed the nation in the top 10 spot as a visitors’ marvel contending at the global level. Also, thanks to his insightful direction, Malaysia has risen through the ranks and surfaced as the second highest foreign exchange earner. He spent the 80s supervising promotional efforts in Germany, Austria, Italy, and Switzerland, and his 90s at the Tokyo office.

CHT INTERNATIONAL AWARD - PRIVATE EQUITY INVESTMENT (JAPAN)

Ryosuke Takatsuki

President and CEO of INSPiRE Corporation

Inspire Corporation president, Ryosuke Takatsuki, is also the chief executive officer at Inspire Technology Resource Management, the investment arm of the company he leads. The banking luminary started out in the business back in 1995 as an officer at the Industrial Bank of Japan. During his five-year stint with the group and Mizuho Holdings, he designed an internal credit risk rating as well as enterprise risk management system for both.

At the turn of the century, he joined the Internet Research Institute as business development director to conduct M&A transactions whilst establishing a few joint-venture companies with large Japanese enterprises. The brand grew to become the first IPO company on the Tokyo Mothers Stock Exchange. In May 2000, he came under the employ of Inspire where he served as a director for seven years before his promotion to CEO in 2008.

He originally managed the JSIT-1 or PE fund and raised the ITIF (VC fund). He has since been elected director across at least 20 invested ventures. In 2014, the numbers man partnered with government-backed investment outfit, Permodalan Nasional Berhad, to introduce the first halal fund to major banks and financial institutions Japan-wide at 5 billion yen, which targets the Muslim markets of Southeast Asia and the Middle East.

CHT INTERNATIONAL AWARD - BUSINESS & INVESTMENT (CAMBODIA)

Oknha Rithy Sear

Chairman of WorldBridge Group

Oknha Rithy Sear is the chairman of WorldBridge Group with over 23 businesses under his belt that included logistics, supply chain management, property development, financial services, e-commerce and trading. He is a philanthropist who started out as a logistics officer in 1993. His contributions to Cambodia was also recognised by the title “Oknha” - the highest honour granted in the country - awarded to him by the King of Cambodia H.M. Norodom Sihamoni.

Always confident and ambitious in projects he undertakes, Rithy has forged partnerships with international corporations to introduce remarkable projects to Cambodia. He partnered with Singapore-based property developer, Oxley Holdings, in two impressive mixed development projects in Cambodia;  The Bridge, which is slated for completion in 2018 and The Peak, that is set to complete by 2020. He also partnered with leading logistics solutions provider Kuok Group's Kerry Logistics to introduce a custom bonded warehouse zone and special economic zone under the Kerry Worldbridge FSZ project.