Board of Trustees

Tan Sri Sir Dr. Jeffrey Cheah KBE AO is the founder and trustee of the Jeffrey Cheah Foundation (JCF).

He is also the founder and chairman of Sunway Group, one of Southeast Asia’s leading conglomerates with core interests in property, construction, hospitality, retail, education, leisure, and healthcare.

As a champion and advocate of quality education and world-class research as well as sustainable development, Tan Sri Sir continues to fulfil his personal life philosophy of “aspiring to inspire before I expire”.

In 2007, Tan Sri Sir established the JCF. And in 2010, he had transferred, in perpetuity, the equity and rights of Sunway Education Group’s (SEG) educational institutions, worth several billion Ringgit, into the JCF.

Adopting a social enterprise model, JCF is the largest of its kind in advancing education in Malaysia. JCF has disbursed RM745 million in scholarships and grants as of 2024. It is Tan Sri Sir’s goal to give out several billion Ringgit in scholarships in his lifetime.

JCF also established active partnerships with top-tier universities such as University of Cambridge, University of Oxford and Lancaster University in the United Kingdom, and Harvard University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Boston and University of California, Berkeley, in the United States. Such collaborations facilitate knowledge transfer and make world-class expertise accessible to Malaysians.

JCF also endowed USD20 million to the United Nations to set up the Jeffrey Sachs Center on Sustainable Development at Sunway University to advance the sustainability agenda in this region, and the Asia headquarters of the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network (UN-SDSN) at Sunway University, making it one of only three such global centres leading continent-wide sustainability initiatives.

This ranks Sunway City Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia alongside Paris, overseeing Europe and Africa, and New York City, overseeing The Americas.

Tan Sri Sir is also the co-chair of global initiative Mission 4.7, which was launched by Pope Francis alongside UN-SDSN President Professor Jeffrey Sachs, UNESCO assistant director-general for education Ms. Stefania Giannini and Marcelo Sánchez Sorondo, Chancellor of the Pontifical Academies of Sciences and Social Sciences at the Vatican in 2020. Mission 4.7 aims to accelerate the implementation of SDG Target which calls upon governments to ensure that learners acquire the knowledge, skills, values and attributes needed to achieve the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Tan Sri Sir is also the mastermind behind the Jeffrey Cheah Institute on Southeast Asia (JCI), the first public-policy think tank based in a private university in Malaysia, to conduct and promote joint research and teaching on economies, societies, politics, and cultures in Southeast Asia.

Introduction

Tan Sri Datuk Seri Razman M Hashim was appointed to the Board of Trustees of Jeffrey Cheah Foundation on 28 December 2007.

He completed his early secondary education in Australia. He studied banking, where he became a Member of Australian Institute of Bankers. He has more than 40 years of experience in the banking industry.

Upon his return to Malaysia, Tan Sri Datuk Seri Razman joined Standard Chartered Bank Malaysia Berhad as an Officer Trainee in 1964. Throughout his 34 years of banking experience at Standard Chartered Bank Malaysia Berhad, he served at its offices in London, Europe, Hong Kong and Singapore. In 1994, he was appointed as Executive Director/Deputy Chief Executive of Standard Chartered Bank Malaysia Berhad, a position he held until his retirement in June 1999. In the same month in 1999, he was appointed the Chairman of MBF Finance Berhad by Bank Negara Malaysia as its nominee until January 2002, when the finance company was sold to Arab-Malaysian Group.

He has directorship in Mycron Steel Berhad and is the Alternate Trustee to Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Dr. Jeffrey Cheah AO in the Perdana Leadership Foundation.

Introduction

Tan Sri Dato’ Dr Lin See Yan was appointed to the Board of Trustees of Jeffrey Cheah Foundation on 28 December 2007.

He is a corporate strategy and financial consultant. Qualified as a Chartered Statistician, he graduated from the University of Malaya in Singapore and Harvard University (where he received three degrees, including a PhD in Economics). He is also a British Chartered Scientist, London; Professor of Economics (Adjunct), Universiti Utara Malaysia; Professor of International Finance & Business (Adjunct), Universiti Malaysia Sabah; as well as an Eisenhower Fellow and a Fellow of the IMF Institute (Washington DC); Royal Statistical Society (London); Malaysian Institute of Bankers; Malaysian Insurance Institute (Hon.); Malaysian Institute of Management and Malaysian Economic Association. He is also a Distinguished Fellow of the Institute of Strategic and International Studies.

Tan Sri Dato’ Dr. Lin has a long and distinguished history of service with the Government of Malaysia and the private sector. He was Chairman/President and Chief Executive Officer of the Pacific Bank Group and for 14 years previously, the Deputy Governor of Bank Negara Malaysia, having been a central banker for 34 years. Tan Sri Dato’ Dr Lin continues to serve the public interest after his retirement. Among his current appointments are Member of the Prime Minister’s Economic Council Working Group; key member of Steering Committees at the Ministry of Higher Education; member of the Asian Shadow Financial Regulatory Committee; Governor, Asian Institute of Management, Manila; Director, Monash University Malaysia Sdn Bhd; Chairman Emeritus, Harvard Graduate School Alumni Council at Harvard University in Cambridge (USA); President of Harvard Club of Malaysia and Economic Advisor to the Associated Chinese Chambers of Commerce & Industry Malaysia. In addition, he is a Trustee of the Tun Ismail Ali Foundation (PNB), Harvard Club of Malaysia Foundation, Malaysian Economic Association Foundation, Jeffrey Cheah Foundation and Program Pertukaran Fellowship Perdana Menteri Malaysia.

Tan Sri Dato’ Dr. Lin was appointed to the Board of Sunway on 18 March 2015. He also serves as Chairman of Risk Management Committee as well as a Member of the Audit, Nomination, and Remuneration Committees.

His directorships in other public companies include Wah Seong Corporation Berhad, IGB REIT Management Sdn Bhd (Manager for IGB REIT), Jeffrey Cheah Foundation, Ancom Berhad, and Nylex (Malaysia) Berhad.

Introduction

Tunku Zain Al-Abidin Ibni Tuanku Muhriz was appointed to the Board of Trustees of Jeffrey Cheah Foundation on 22 February 2013.

Apart from serving as a Trustee of the Jeffrey Cheah Foundation, Tunku Zain Al-‘Abidin is Founding President of the Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs (IDEAS); an Independent Non-Executive Director of Allianz Malaysia Berhad, Allianz General Insurance Company Malaysia Berhad and Omesti Berhad; and a Trustee of Yayasan Chow Kit, Yayasan Munarah, Yayasan IDEAS and the Genovasi Foundation.

Other roles in educational institutions include serving as Pro-Chancellor of UCSI University, Royal Fellow at the National University of Malaysia (UKM), Associate Fellow at Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), and Chairman of General Assembly Malaysia.

He is also an advisor, patron, or committee member of numerous cultural organisations, and a columnist in three newspapers.

He was educated at the Kuala Lumpur Alice Smith School, Marlborough College and the London School of Economics and Political Science, where he obtained his MSc in Comparative Politics. He then worked in the UK Houses of Parliament, the World Bank, United Nations Development Programme, KRA Group and the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy.

In 2006, he co-founded the Malaysia Think Tank which evolved into IDEAS, a think tank that pursues market-based solutions to public policy challenges. Since 2008, he has maintained a newspaper column across five newspapers, currently #abidinideas in the Star, Sin Chew and Borneo Post. From these articles three books have been compiled. Tunku Zain also authored a book commemorating the Installation of the Eleventh Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan and led a major project to revitalise the State Anthem.

An Eisenhower Fellow, he has been selected for various leadership programmes and speaking tours by the governments of Australia, France, the European Union, Singapore, Canada and Cuba and has received awards for integrity and impact among young leaders.

His public speaking engagements have included the inaugural lecture of the Speakers’ Lecture Series of the Malaysian Parliament, the inaugural lecture of the Constitutional Law Lecture Series at the University of Malaya, the third Raja Aziz Addruse Memorial Lecture at the International Malaysia Law Conference, and the Cultural Diplomacy Lecture Series at the Institute of Diplomacy and Foreign Relations.

A keen pianist, he has performed or recorded with the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra, UiTM Chamber Choir, Tunku Kurshiah College Wind Orchestra, Choir of Gonville & Caius College Cambridge, Mei Yi Foo, Bartosz Woroch and Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali, among others.

He enjoys tennis and squash, serving also as President of the Negeri Sembilan Squash Association.

Introduction

Tan Sri Zarinah Sameehah Binti Anwar was appointed to the Board of Trustees of Jeffrey Cheah Foundation on 7 July 2015.

She is the Chairman of the Institute of Corporate Directors Malaysia.

She is the former Chairman of the Securities Commission Malaysia (SC), a position she held for six years until her retirement in March 2012. She was prior to this, the SC’s Deputy Chief Executive from December 2001.

At the SC, Tan Sri Zarinah served as Vice Chairman of the 86 member Emerging Markets Committee of the International Organisation of Securities Commissions and was a member of the Monitoring Board of the IFRS Foundation. She also served two terms as the Chairman of the ASEAN Capital Markets Forum; a network of capital market regulators established under the auspices of the ASEAN Finance Ministers to promote the development of ASEAN capital markets.

Under her leadership, the SC issued the Corporate Governance Blueprint 2011 which incorporated recommendations aimed at closing gaps, elevating standards and establishing a good corporate governance culture amongst public listed companies by encouraging the integration of principles, ethics and values into the decision making process of a business, as well as ensuring board diversity to promote inclusive growth.

Prior to joining the SC, Tan Sri Zarinah was Deputy Chairman of Shell Malaysia. She had spent 22 years serving in various capacities across the company’s various business sectors. She was an integral member of its business re-engineering team and oversaw its organisational effectiveness function. She was a member of the boards of directors of several Shell entities in Malaysia as well as the Group’s Global Diversity Council.

She had served as non-executive Chairman of Malaysia Debt Ventures Berhad (MDV), a member of the Board of PETRONAS and PNB, a member of the Academic Advisory Council of Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS and visiting fellow at the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies, United Kingdom. She was also a member of the Advisory Board of the Emirates Securities and Commodities Authority.

Tan Sri Zarinah is currently a member of the Boards of Trustee of the Razak School of Government, Yayasan Hasanah, Amanah Warisan Negara and the Jeffrey Cheah Foundation.

She is also a Pro-Chancellor of Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM), a member of the Board of Directors of University of Malaya and member of the Board of Trustees of the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies, United Kingdom.

An advocate of gender diversity, Tan Sri Zarinah is a Founding Chairman of the 30% Club, Malaysia, a business campaign to help drive higher women representation in leadership positions and on corporate boards.

Tan Sri Zarinah holds an LLB (Hons) from the University of Malaya.

Introduction

Dato’ Sri Idris Jala was appointed to the Board of Trustees of Jeffrey Cheah Foundation on 5 November 2015.

He is the President and Chairman of PEMANDU Associates. A renowned transformation guru with a proven track record in both business and socioeconomic transformation, he advocates and rigorously practices the firm’s proprietary Big Fast Results (BFR) – 8 Steps of Transformation© methodology and transformational leadership approach to implement winning strategies for businesses and governments globally. Together with PEMANDU Associates, Dato’ Sri Idris has helped many Governments across the world to implement economic and social transformation e.g. Tanzania, Oman, Ethiopia, Russia, Rwanda, Nigeria, Djibouti, Lesotho, St. Lucia, Saudi Arabia, etc.

Much of his socioeconomic transformation expertise stems from his previous role as Minister in charge of performance and delivery for the Government of Malaysia, where he served for six years. In his role as a Minister, Dato’ Sri Idris Jala led the implementation of the Economic Transformation Programme (ETP) and Government Transformation Programme (GTP). Under the ETP, Malaysia saw the highest growth in private sector investments catalyzed by the Entry Point Projects (EPPs), projects that generate the highest investment and jobs to the nation. It was this achievement that Bloomberg decided to recognise him as the Top 10 Most Influential Policy Makers in the World in 2014. He was also appointed on the Advisory Panel for the World Economic Forum (WEF) on the New Economic Growth and on the Advisory Panel of World Bank.

His results-driven approach towards socioeconomic transformation has also placed him as an Expert Resource Speaker at the Harvard Ministerial Leadership Forum and a Visiting Fellow of Practice at Oxford Blavatnik School of Government. For the last 7 years, he has provided lectures at Harvard to Ministers of Finance, Economic Planning, Health and Education from all around the world on practical steps and methodologies to achieve big fast results. Additionally, he also serves on the advisory panel for the United Nations Education Commission chaired by Gordon Brown.

Prior to his Government stint, Idris Jala was Managing Director/CEO at Malaysia Airlines (MAS) for three years. He was brought on board to turn around the airline which was in crisis brought about by a prolonged bout of losses from operational inefficiencies.

Before MAS, he spent 23 years at Shell, rising up the ranks to hold senior positions including Vice President, Shell Retail International and Vice President Business Development Consultancy, based in UK. This included successful business turnarounds in Malaysia and Sri Lanka.

In view of his contribution to society, Idris Jala has received honorific titles from the King of Malaysia and various State Governments of Malaysia. He was conferred the “First Order” medal by the Italian Government. Idris Jala holds a Bachelor degree in Development Studies and Management from University Sains Malaysia and a Master’s Degree in Industrial Relations from Warwick University.

Additionally, Dato’ Sri Idris serves as Chairman of Heineken Malaysia Berhad and Co-Chairman of Sunway Berhad and the Jeffrey Cheah Foundation.

Introduction

Dr. Philip Yeo was appointed to the Board of Trustees of Jeffrey Cheah Foundation on 7 October 2019.

He is Chairman of the Economic Development Innovations Singapore (EDIS) Private Limited. Established in 2013, EDIS is an economic development management services company founded by Dr Yeo that provides strategic advice and undertakes the development and management of integrated industrial and urban areas with an emphasis on job creation and industrial cluster development.

Dr. Yeo is Chairman of Accuron Technologies (Accuron) Pte Ltd, a global precision engineering and technology group headquartered in Singapore serving the aerospace, semiconductor equipment and industrial automation sectors.

Dr. Yeo is Chairman of Advanced MedTech Holdings (AMTH) Pte Ltd, a global medical technology group headquartered in Singapore with a core focus in urology devices and contract manufacturing services.

Prior to his stint in the private sector, Dr. Yeo had served in a myriad established public sector. Most recently, from 2010 to 2013, he served as member of the United Nations Committee of Experts on Public Administration (CEPA), established by the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) for the promotion and development of public administration and governance among Member States, in connection with the United Nations Development Agenda. He is also instrumental in Singapore’s economic development and his pioneering role in the promotion and development of the country’s information technology, semiconductor, chemical industries and biomedical sciences.

Dr. Philip Yeo possesses a diverse educational background with numerous achievements. He holds a Bachelor of Applied Science (Industrial Engineering) degree and an honorary Doctor of Engineering from the University of Toronto, Canada. He also graduated from the then University of Singapore with a Master of Science (Systems Engineering), and most prominently, a Master in Business Administration from Harvard University.

Dr. Yeo is recognised for numerous contributions to society. Most recently, Dr. Yeo was conferred as Honorary Fellow of King’s College London on 5 July 2017. In May 2014, he was awarded the 2014 Distinguished Alumnus Award by Eisenhower Fellowships in recognition of leadership in the Eisenhower Fellowships alumni network; and post-fellowship activities that have reflected President Eisenhower’s commitment to peace and productivity by working through direct personal contacts across boundaries.

Introduction

Toh Puan Dato’ Seri Hajjah Dr. Aishah Ong was appointed to the Board of Trustees of Jeffrey Cheah Foundation on 25 June 2020.

She is recognised by the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists as a Registered Medical Practitioner, and a graduate from the University of London with a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery, is a person who has always placed education and healthcare at heart. To illustrate, she is currently the Pro-Chancellor of University Malaya since 2003, and before that, was Chairman of University Malaya Medical Centre, formerly known as University Hospital from 1987 to 1996.

She is also Founding Trustee of the Alzheimer’s Disease Foundation of Malaysia since 1997, as well as Trustee to numerous foundations and organisations such as The National Council of Women’s Organisations (NCWO) since 1996, Tun Abdul Razak Foundation since 2007, Joseph Eu Foundation and Mercy Malaysia since 2009, the Dewan Filharmonik Petronas since 2013, and Media Prima Charity Fund since 2014.

In addition, she is Patron to several health organisations such as the Arthritis Foundation of Malaysia, Mental Health Association of Malaysia, and National Stroke Association of Malaysia.

Toh Puan is also keenly involved in social works. She is an Honorary Member of the Inner Wheel Club of Kuala Lumpur since 1998 and Director of the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra since 2013, respectively.

During her career, Toh Puan Dato’ Seri Hajjah Dr. Aishah Ong is Company Director for Syarikat Ong Yoke Lin Sdn. Bhd. She is also Chairman of the IJN Foundation since 1995 and Chairman of IMU Foundation since 2010. Previously, she was an Independent Non-Executive Director for Nestlé Malaysia Berhad, a position she held for six years from 2013 to 2018. She had also completed two terms as the first Chairman of the Health Promotion Board of the Ministry of Health from 2007 to 2013.

Introduction

Tan Sri Dr. Syed Azman Syed Ibrahim, born on March 23, 1960, in Sungai Petani, Kedah, is an entrepreneur known for his strategic leadership and vision. He began his career in the Royal Intelligence Corps of the Malaysian Armed Forces, serving for 30 years before retiring as a Major in 1994.

Tan Sri Dr. Syed Azman started his business career by selling imported cars and expanded his automotive ventures by securing franchises with prestigious global brands such as Honda, Chevrolet, Ford, Smart, Audi, and Suzuki. Today, his automotive portfolio includes Weststar Auto, a leading Honda dealership in Malaysia, Weststar Motors specialising in imported luxury cars, and Weststar Maxus, a prominent distributor of commercial vehicles nationwide.

In 2002, Tan Sri Dr. Syed Azman founded Weststar Aviation Services, a leading provider of offshore helicopter transportation services operating extensively across Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.

Under his leadership, The Weststar Group has diversified its operations across the automotive, aviation, defence, construction, properties, insurance, ICT, food and beverage, and renewable energy sectors, with business activities spanning across 11 countries.