Ar Hijjas Kasturi
(Architect) Hijjas Architects and Planners

TPr Ts Norliza Hasim

Chief Executive Officer of Urbanice Malaysia

Adjunct Professor Norliza Hashim studied Town and Regional Planning at the Institute Technology of MARA (ITM) and has been an active professional in the field of town planning in the last 40 years. She has been involved in nation building projects such as Putrajaya, the KLIA Masterplan, the Second Crossing of Johor-Singapore, the Greater Kuala Lumpur-Klang Valley Economic Transformation Plan and responsible for the formative days of Iskandar Malaysia. She also led a team of experts to develop Malaysia’s Low Carbon Cities Assessment Framework for the Ministry of Environment and Water and is the Adviser to the Malaysian Institute of Planner’s Low Carbon Cities and Sustainability Centre. Today, Norliza Hashim is also the Chief Executive of Urbanice Malaysia, a Centre of Excellence for Community Well-being and Urban Sustainability, under the Ministry of Housing and Local Government Malaysia; where she leads a team that focus on the implementation of sustainable urbanisation policies in cities and regions through the Malaysia SDG Cities program and shared knowledge platforms, development of innovative urban community-based solutions and through collaborative partnerships. In recognition for her contribution, she has been conferred Planner of the Year in 2018 by the Malaysian Institute of Planner and awarded as the Top 10 National Women Entrepreneur Award, Malaysia in 2014 by the Malaysian External Trade Development Corporation.

Dato’ Sr Mohd Zaid Zakaria

Chief Executive Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) Malaysia

Dato’ Sr Mohd Zaid Zakaria is a seasoned figure in Malaysia's construction industry, holding a Bachelor's in Quantity Surveying from Liverpool Polytechnic and a Master's in Civil Engineering from Oklahoma State University. He is the Chief Executive of CIDB, boasting 35 years of construction industry expertise. He spearheads policy formulation and contractor development initiatives, collaborating closely with government and private agencies. As chair of the National Standards Committee for Construction, he evaluates and approves material standards, ensuring industry quality. Amid the COVID-19 outbreak, he led CIDB's efforts in crafting and enforcing SOPs for the construction sector during Movement Control Order periods. He is currently committed to promoting the adaptation of ESG in the construction industry as announced by the government. Additionally, he represents the construction sector in national security matters, reporting directly to senior government officials. Dato’ Sr Mohd Zaid's contributions extend to professional bodies, he serves as a board member for the Board of Quantity Surveyors Malaysia (BQSM), emphasizing his commitment to advancing standards and professionalism in Malaysia's construction landscape.

Datuk Seri (Dr) Michael Yam Kong Choy 

President (Global) 2022-2023, Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB)

Datuk Seri Dr Michael Yam earned his degree in building and management studies from the University of Westminster in the UK and later obtained his professional qualifications as a fellow of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors and a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Building. Notably, he made history as the first Malaysian and the second Asian to be elected president in the 190-year history of the Chartered Institute of Building.

He has a remarkable career that spans over four decades within the construction, real estate, and corporate realms, with extensive involvement in Malaysia, the UK, South Africa, and Australia. His leadership roles in distinguished publicly listed property firms garnered accolades for his noteworthy contributions. Over the course of his professional journey, he assumed significant positions in well-recognized entities such as Bahman Consulting Engineers, the UK's NHS Works Department, Landmarks Bhd, Peremba Malaysia, Country Heights Holdings Bhd, and Sunrise Bhd.  In 2023, he was honored with the esteemed Lifetime Achievement Award by Balai Ikhtisas Malaysia for his invaluable contributions to the engineering, construction, and property sectors. In June of the same year, he completed his tenure as the 119th president of the Chartered Institute of Building, where he presided over a global membership comprising 48,000 professionals. Additionally, he relinquished his position as chairman of InvestKL Corp after successfully leading the Government Investment Promotion Agency for 11 years. Presently, he serves as the chairman of the Triterra Group of Companies and holds key roles in various investment holding firms, including the Mercure KL Glenmarie Hotel.

Dato’ Abdul Kadir Abu Hashim

Director General for Peninsular Malaysia, Department of Wildlife and National Parks (PERHILITAN)

Dato' Abdul Kadir bin Abu Hashim, born on September 10, 1966, has dedicated over three decades of his career to the Department of Wildlife and National Parks (PERHILITAN), serving since 1992 and becoming the Director General for Peninsular Malaysia on August 25, 2016. With a robust foundation in environmental science, his leadership has significantly advanced the fight against illegal wildlife trade, enhanced community engagement, and promoted sustainable environmental practices. His contributions have gone beyond Malaysia, bringing him international acclaim and awards. Having worked with PERHILITAN for 32 years, Dato' Abdul Kadir's steadfast commitment to environmental conservation has been crucial in shaping policies, elevating public awareness, thus establishing him as a prominent figure in the global conservation arena.