EZ Magazine

08/10/2025

*The Capital Revolution Powering Malaysia’s Innovation Future*

Malaysia is undergoing a bold transformation in its financial and innovation landscape—led by the Malaysian Business Angel Network (MBAN), the official trade association for angel investors and angel clubs in Malaysia. At the heart of this shift is the MBAN Summit 2025, (scheduled for 24 September in Kuala Lumpur), a flagship event that brings together three powerful forces: family dynasties, corporate giants, and disruptive startups. These once-separate entities are now converging to build a future-driven economy.

As MBAN President Peter Wee notes, “This new economy is not just about capital—it is about courage.” With total startup funding in Malaysia reaching RM4.1 billion in 2024—double that of 2022—the shift is real and rapid. Notably, 42% of early-stage deals now involve non-traditional investors, including family offices and corporations. This is the dawn of a new investment era.

The MBAN Summit is where this revolution takes form. It is a dynamic platform for collaboration, insight, and deal-making—supported by key partners like Cradle and PayNet. With last year’s attendance surpassing 660 delegates, the summit remains Malaysia’s most influential gathering for investors and innovators. This year promises even deeper engagement, featuring topics such as how family offices are quietly building unicorns, how legacy corporations are adopting startup mindsets, and how corporate acquisitions are outpacing internal R&D in driving innovation.

The summit is just the beginning; MBAN is building a nationwide network of visionary investors and founders. New chapters in Penang and Sarawak are strengthening regional links and fostering cross-border opportunities. As Dato’ Patrick, President of the Sarawak Business Angel Network (SBAN), explains, “MBAN is instrumental in giving us curated access to high-potential founders and investment opportunities. Strengthening these channels—both within Malaysia and across the region—is critical to accelerating cross-border investment and unlocking broader opportunities for angel networks like SBAN.”

With over RM100 million invested by the MBAN community to date, this is a network defined by action and impact. Members are backing startups, mentoring, strategising, and helping shape Malaysia’s innovation agenda.

MBAN Immediate Past President Alan Lim and an active angel investor who has invested in over 50 startups, sums it up: “Legacy is not about what you have—it is about what you build.” The MBAN Summit 2025 offers a chance to do just that.

_For details, visit mban.com.my/mbansummit2025_

08/10/2025

*From Penang to the Pinnacle*

From a young boy penning letters to newspapers in Penang to being named Malaysia’s National Journalism Laureate, Datuk Seri Wong Chun Wai has lived a life shaped by curiosity, conviction and a love for storytelling.

The first Penangite to receive the nation’s highest media honour — an accolade shared by only 14 journalists since 1988 — Datuk Seri Wong regards the recognition “a matter of great pride and honour,” yet humbly credits his lifelong passion as the driving force behind his journey and achievement.

“Passion — that’s the word,” he reflects.

“One must enjoy what one is doing, and once that happens, everything falls into place.”

Born, raised and schooled in Penang, Wong is a true blue ‘Anak Pulau Pinang’ (son of Penang). His formative years at St. Xavier’s Institution sparked a fascination for history and news. “Not many Penangites are aware that the country’s first English newspaper, the Prince of Wales Island Gazette, was published in Penang in 1805,” he notes. “There were also many Malay newspapers and magazines which started in Penang too. Kwong Wah Jit Poh, established in 1910, remains the world’s longest continuously printed Chinese daily. And of course, The Star itself began in Penang in 1971.”

Even as a student, Wong contributed articles to his school paper and mainstream newspapers in English and Bahasa Malaysia, finding joy in seeing his work in print. By 1984, he joined The Star as a cadet reporter, beginning a four-decade career that would see him rise to become its youngest Group Chief Editor, later Executive Director, Group Managing Director and CEO, before taking the helm at BERNAMA in 2023.

Along the way, he interviewed world leaders and icons — Nelson Mandela, Bill Clinton, Lee Kuan Yew, Stephen Hawking, Richard Branson, David Beckham, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Jackie Chan, Jimmy Choo and Alicia Keys among them, adding world exclusives to his list of career highlights; yet his heart often returns to Penang, the place that shaped him.

His 2014 book Penang’s History, My Story — later translated into Bahasa Malaysia by Universiti Sains Malaysia — reflects this bond. “It is important that Penangites know their history,” he says.

“I wanted to record the fascinating facts behind our streets and landmarks before the names and memories fade away. History should be told as stories.”

But Penang’s story is not only about its past — it is also about its people. Wong proudly notes how the island has produced leaders, thinkers and trailblazers across fields. “Penang has always been a melting pot, exposed to international culture since the 18th century. That openness shaped our people to be independent-minded and innovative — qualities that continue to produce outstanding political leaders, entrepreneurs, musicians, sports personalities and, of course, journalists.”

Even food, he points out, carries history within its flavours. “Did you know Char Koay Teow was once served with crab meat topping in the 1960s and 70s? Or that Curry Mee used to come with slices of char siew?” he says with a nostalgic smile, adding that future guides to Penang should highlight hidden stories, places and forgotten flavours locals grew up with.

As Chairman of BERNAMA, Wong now leads Malaysia’s national news agency with a clear mission: credibility. “Our clients are Malaysian and international news agencies. They turn to us for confirmation and verification. So, we have a huge responsibility to be the trusted source of information,” he affirms.

His deeper message, however, remains one of unity and moderation.

“I see Malaysians as one,” he stressed.

“Moderation must be practised naturally — in our lives, our work, and the way we tell our nation’s stories. And I urge our next generation of journalists to stay curious, keep learning and practice moderation in all things.”

Away from the newsroom, Wong’s curiosity takes him far and wide — trekking in Rwanda to see gorillas, hiking Japan’s Su***de Forest, spending three weeks in Antarctica and making it to the Mount Everest Base Camp in Tibet. “I like going to places not many venture to,” he says with a grin, already planning his next trip to the Maldives to swim with nurse sharks.

After 40 years of chasing stories across continents, Datuk Seri Wong is still doing what he loves most — writing, telling stories and discovering the world. And through it all, Penang remains the place where it all began — and where his heart will always return.

Anak Pulau Pinang, indeed.

27/09/2025

Heartiest congratulations to Loh Guan Lye Specialists Centre on your remarkable 50th anniversary!

28/05/2025

【 Vol.71; International Exclusive from UAE 🇦🇪】
𝐋𝐄𝐀𝐃𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐖𝐈𝐓𝐇 𝐏𝐀𝐒𝐒𝐈𝐎𝐍, 𝐏𝐔𝐑𝐏𝐎𝐒𝐄, 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐏𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐄𝐍𝐂𝐄 - 𝐓𝐚𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐚 𝐒𝐚𝐥𝐡𝐚

Get your digital subscription of EZ Malaysia today: https://bit.ly/EZMalaysia
EZ Malaysia News Blog: https://ezmalaysia.news/

28/05/2025

【 Vol.71; Captains & Legends】𝐄𝐋𝐄𝐕𝐀𝐓𝐄𝐒 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐅𝐔𝐓𝐔𝐑𝐄 𝐎𝐅 𝐏𝐀𝐂𝐊𝐀𝐆𝐈𝐍𝐆 - 𝐌𝐚𝐜𝐫𝐨𝐱 𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐭 𝐒𝐝𝐧 𝐁𝐡𝐝

Get your digital subscription of EZ Malaysia today: https://bit.ly/EZMalaysia
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28/05/2025

【 Vol.71; Captains & Legends】𝐓𝐔𝐑𝐍𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐏𝐀𝐆𝐄 - 𝐋𝐢𝐦 𝐂𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐧 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐧

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03/03/2025

【 Vol.71; Cover Story】𝐀 𝐋𝐞𝐠𝐚𝐜𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 - 𝐓𝐘𝐓 𝐓𝐔𝐍 𝐃𝐀𝐓𝐎’ 𝐒𝐄𝐑𝐈 𝐔𝐓𝐀𝐌𝐀 𝐀𝐇𝐌𝐀𝐃 𝐅𝐔𝐙𝐈 𝐁𝐈𝐍 𝐇𝐀𝐉𝐈 𝐀𝐁𝐃𝐔𝐋 𝐑𝐀𝐙𝐀𝐊

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EZ Malaysia News Blog: https://ezmalaysia.news/

03/03/2025

16/02/2025

【 Vol.70; Captains & Legends】𝐁𝐀𝐍𝐊𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐎𝐍 𝐅𝐈𝐍𝐄 𝐃𝐈𝐍𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐈𝐍 𝐏𝐄𝐍𝐀𝐍𝐆 - 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐝 𝐓𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐤𝐚𝐣𝐨𝐡𝐧 (𝐂𝐡𝐞𝐟 𝐓𝐨𝐧)

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