Hello
I am a versatile problem solver, seeking interesting, challenging, and impactful opportunities, with a track record in technology, investment management, and ESG. Tell me more about what you are working on and how I can help here.
EDUCATION
Columbia University | New York
LLM | 3.54 GPA | 2006 - 2007
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Fulbright Scholarship
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Harlan Fiske Stone Scholar
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Thesis: Market Inefficiency & Hostile Tender Offers
University of Cambridge | UK
BA (Law) | 2:1 | 2002 - 2005
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Dissertation: The Economics of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act
ESG EXPERIENCE
The Centre | Associate Researcher
2020 - 2022
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Wrote a series of papers on Malaysia's migrant labour policy for www.centre.my (see Writing)
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Built awareness and support for a zero indenture policy on national TV and academic forums:
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Astro Awani: Understanding the Plight of Foreign Workers
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Oxbridge Malaysia: Balancing Humanitarianism & Nationalism
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Astro Awani: Foreign Labour: Short Term Exploitative Policies
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University Malaya: Import Bans on Palm Oil & Rubber Gloves
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United Nations | Consultant
Convention on Migratory Species
2020 - 2022
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Wrote business plan for an islander-owned diving cooperative to sustain seagrass conservation off the coast of Johor, Malaysia.
World Bank | Staff Associate
Independent Panel Review | 2007
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Produced analysis for an independent panel led by Paul Volcker, former US Federal Reserve Chairman, reviewing the Bank's integrity unit.
United Nations | Intern
Dept of Disarmament Affairs | 2006
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Conducted research on the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and Security Council Resolution 1696 on Iranian nuclear sanctions.
TECHNOLOGY EXPERIENCE
BorderPass | CEO & Founder | Malaysia | 2014 - Present
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Created an autogate service that reduced airport immigration queuing time from an hour to just seconds for tourists and business travellers.
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Secured R&D funding, government approvals (including three presentations to the Prime Minister), built technology execution teams, and ensured that project milestones were completed on a timely basis.
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Built the world's first immigration autogate equipped with contactless fingerprinting and facial recognition technology, installed at Kuala Lumpur International Airport 2 in 2016.
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Ideas and core technology base were incorporated into the requirements of an upcoming USD300m Malaysian immigration system revamp.
Sunway Group | Chief Strategy Officer | 2022 - Present
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Finding my feet - just started work here in September 2022.
TECHNOLOGY AWARDS
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Singularity University Global Impact Competition 2014, Silicon Valley
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Mitsui Fudosan Asian Entrepreneurship Award 2016, Tokyo, Japan
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Amadeus Next Startup of the Year 2016
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Hello Tomorrow 2017 Top Global Deep Tech Startups, Paris, France
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Asian Development Bank MIST 2017 Special Innovation Prize
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Digital Travel APAC 2018 Biggest Impact on the Industry Going Forward
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JetBlue Technology Ventures & FTE Asia Best New Startup 2018
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APEC 2021 Digital Prosperity Award
INVESTMENT EXPERIENCE
Public Mutual | Portfolio Manager | Malaysia | 2013 - 2014
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US and EU stock picks for global funds outperformed the MSCI All Country World Index by 12%.
CIMB Group | Malaysia & Singapore | 2009 - 2013
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CIMB Securities: proposed the creation of a global equity investment product to the Board. Overcame a 25% portfolio decline due to the 2011 Japanese earthquake, outperforming global indexes by 2013.
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Special Situation Investments: reviewed the valuation of the Group's proprietary investments to estimate the size of potential impairments.
JPMorgan Asset Management | Associate | London | 2008 - 2009
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Produced investment research on the banking, F&B, agriculture, shipping, real estate and consumer sectors.
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Forecasted the bankruptcy of a widely held F&B company.
VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE
MERCY Malaysia | Non-Medical Volunteer | 2001 - Present
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Selected field experience: Afghan War 2002, Sri Lankan Floods 2003, Lahad Datu Invasion 2013, Philippines Typhoon 2013, Kelantan Floods 2014, COVID-19 Response 2020.