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Mr. Ooi Tze Howe

Tze Howe is a trisector athlete that cross-over corporate, governance and non-profit sectors. He is the founder and Chief Executive of HEYA Inc, a non-profit think tank spin off from Higher Education Malaysia Association (HEYA) which he founded back in 2013 and held the position of President until 2023.

He is a firm believer that diverse stakeholder participation in policy making ultimately ensures robust policy ideation and effective implementation. He spearheaded the ideation and stakeholder engagement for the social security and target subsidy reform project through HEYA Inc. He is also the subject matter expert of the advanced industry policy on semiconductor for HEYA Inc.

Under his leadership in both HEYA entities, he has successfully mobilized more than 2000 students, academia and activists to co-create the new higher education reform blueprint (AuX), which became the core to the new legislation reform that ultimately restored student autonomous power in higher education institutions. In his role as the National Higher Education Reform Council Member, Ministry of Higher Education Malaysia, he has advocated for the students’ constitutional right to freedom of speech and association to be reinstated under the new reform.

Tze Howe facilitated a wide range of leadership training and public policy advocacy for more than 500 youths in Malaysia annually. He was selected as the YSEALI Professional Fellow (Legislative and Governance) in 2017, then the specialist mentor of the Global Community Engagement Exchange Program (CEE) in 2023. Besides, he writes a weekly opinion column in nationwide Sinchew Press, and was invited to National News Agency Bernama, Astro Awani, 8TV, radio Station BFM and AiFM to discuss policies and global issues.

By career, he is a technical program manager in a multinational technology company. He was awarded the Chevening Scholarship in 2020 and completed the MSc. International Social and Public Policy in the London School of Economics (LSE).

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Mr. Tan Wei Siang

Wei Siang is a versatile leader with experience across corporate, governance, and non-profit sectors. He has worked in four multinational companies, taking on roles as Project Manager and Data Scientist across manufacturing and professional services industries. Wei Siang also served the Penang State Government for two years, leading housing initiatives for Taman Free School and projects under the local government to improve community welfare and development.

Coming from a humble background, Wei Siang’s heart has always been with underprivileged communities. He believes in leveraging data-driven insights to create meaningful strategies that address societal challenges. In his professional career, Wei Siang has led dashboarding and analytics initiatives to improve operational efficiency, establish governance frameworks, and drive performance improvements across multiple domains.

Through HEYA Inc., Wei Siang conducted an Economic & Safety Net survey analysis, covering areas such as targeted subsidy reform, the gig economy, under-employment, retirement fund sustainability, and PADU implementation. The report provided specific insights and detailed demographic data, providing a foundation for policy recommendations.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Wei Siang spearheaded impactful initiatives, including raising RM70,000 to support over 1,000 underprivileged families in Penang. His efforts garnered attention from federal and state governments, leading to expanded aid nationwide. Wei Siang was recognized with the Penang Young Excellence Award in Pandemic Leadership. Additionally, he launched book drives benefiting underserved students and supported community libraries, further reflecting his commitment to uplifting communities in need.

Wei Siang has demonstrated strong leadership in driving data-driven strategies that advance education, youth empowerment, and community resilience, reflecting his commitment to creating sustainable, impactful outcomes for underserved communities and future generations.

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Ms. Joyce Toh Ker Ro

Joyce is a dedicated advocate for equitable, efficient, and sustainable health policy. She currently serves as the Research Lead for the Social Security and Care Economics (SSCE) research project at HEYA Inc., a non-profit think tank, while also contributing as a Health Economics Analyst at a leading healthcare consulting firm. In these roles, she collaborates with diverse stakeholders to shape pharmaceutical access strategies in Malaysia, the Asia-Pacific region, and global markets, advancing her commitment to improving healthcare systems worldwide.

In 2023, Joyce was awarded the prestigious Chevening Scholarship to pursue an MSc in Health Policy, Planning & Financing at the London School of Economics (LSE), UK. She graduated with distinction, with this advanced training refining her skills in health economics and policy development. This academic achievement complements her extensive professional experience, equipping her to tackle complex healthcare challenges with both strategic insight and analytical rigor.

Her career began as a pharmacist with Malaysia’s Ministry of Health (KKM), where she gained invaluable experience in the complexities of healthcare delivery. During this time, she led a Lean Healthcare research project that achieved a 26% reduction in workflow duration, significantly enhancing patient access to kidney transplant medications. This project earned the Gold Award at the International Lean Healthcare Conference 2023, exemplifying her ability to create impactful solutions to systemic healthcare inefficiencies.

Joyce’s dedication to underserved communities has also been a driving force in her work. While practicing as a pharmacist, she volunteered at Klinik Amal Muhajir, a clinic providing affordable care to refugees and asylum seekers often excluded from formal healthcare systems. This experience deepened her commitment to developing inclusive health policies.

Her contributions to policy innovation include earning First Runner-Up in the National Mental Health Policy Case Competition, where she proposed culturally sensitive mental health recommendations for the Peninsular Indigenous population. Additionally, during the COVID-19 pandemic, she managed a team of 130 volunteers to provide over 3 million hours of free teleconsultations to 60,000 users.

With her unique blend of academic distinction, professional expertise, and a deep commitment to health equity, Joyce continues to drive transformative solutions that strengthen healthcare systems and improve access to care for all.

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Mr. Wong Qi En

Qi En is a versatile professional bridging corporate, government, and non-profit sectors. As a recent London School of Economics and Political Science graduate, he leads the Social Security and Care Economy portfolio at HEYA Inc., a non-profit think tank, while serving as an Analyst in a renowned global clean energy company. His work in HEYA Inc. focuses on reforming targeted subsidies across fuel, higher education, and health policies. Qi En thrives at the intersection of public policy, finance, macroeconomics, M&A, and politics, where he tackles complex societal challenges to create meaningful impact.

During his tenure as a Fellow to Malaysia’s Minister of Finance, Qi En gained invaluable policymaking experience. He contributed to national initiatives by testing and evaluating targeted fuel subsidy execution methods and participating in the Budget 2023 Consultation Trip to Penang, where he engaged with corporate leaders to inform policy decisions.

As General Secretary of the United Kingdom and Eire Council for Malaysian Students (UKEC), Qi En represented over 15,000 Malaysian students across approximately 60 universities. His leadership strengthened the Malaysian student community through initiatives like The Malaysian Yearbook project, which documented student accomplishments throughout the UK and Ireland.

At HEYA Inc., Qi En has demonstrated his ability to engage diverse audiences, notably by moderating the NextGen Party Youth Forum on Budget 2025, facilitating discussions on economic equality and youth empowerment. His combination of technical expertise and empathetic leadership enables meaningful dialogue among stakeholders working toward solutions for pressing societal issues.

Informed by his humble beginnings, Qi En advocates for inclusive policymaking that integrates diverse perspectives. He is committed to developing innovative, equity-driven policies that balance economic growth with social responsibility.

With his blend of academic excellence, professional experience, and passion for public service, Qi En is dedicated to advancing transformative solutions for social equity, economic resilience, and sustainable development in Malaysia.

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Ms. Ruby Chow

Ruby Chow is a passionate advocate for education equity and early childhood development, bringing extensive expertise in project management, policy development, and stakeholder engagement. Her multidisciplinary experience spans government and non-governmental organisations, with work ranging from grassroots initiatives to high-level engagements. Currently, Ruby serves as the Lead Consultant for Education Policy at HEYA Inc., where she focuses on learning recovery and higher education reform.  

At HEYA Inc., Ruby co-leads a diverse team that developed a policy paper for the Malaysian Higher Education Blueprint 2026-2035. She spearheaded stakeholder consultations involving students, academicians, and university administrators. This policy paper was presented to the Secretary-General and Policy Undersecretary of the Ministry of Higher Education. 

Her commitment to impactful policy work began as a Perdana Fellow to the Minister of Human Resources, where she conducted research and engaged various stakeholders to advance Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) across multiple sectors. This experience led her to play a pivotal role in the HEYA AuX project in 2019, driving higher education legislative reform through expert consultations and nationwide advocacy with student leaders.  

On the grassroots level, Ruby was a core volunteer with a non-profit in London, supporting children and adults with autism and learning disabilities. She facilitated life skills programs, seasonal projects, and fundraising initiatives while empowering individuals with autism to engage with their broader community. Additionally, Ruby previously served as a Social Worker at a women’s NGO, specialising in child protection and providing holistic support to children affected by abuse and adverse childhood experiences (ACEs).

Ruby was awarded the prestigious Khazanah Global Scholarship in 2022 and earned her MSc in Infancy and Early Childhood Development from the Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London. Currently, in her professional career with an education non-profit, she manages large scale in-service teacher development projects. Her role involves overseeing milestones, engaging and producing comprehensive reports for key stakeholders, as well as supporting organisational leadership with strategic coordination across multiple teams.

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Ms. Wong Kar Ling

Kar Ling is a lawyer with a decade-long track record of advocacy, policy work, and youth empowerment. She bridges the public, private and civil society sectors to drive impactful legal and social change.

Her journey in advocacy began during her undergraduate years when she championed constitutional awareness and voter registration initiatives at her law school. She later played a pivotal role in advocating for the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017, showcasing her commitment to legislative reform.

Kar Ling’s passion in higher education policy reform led her to be part of the National Higher Education Reform Council, where she had worked with her team to mobilise over all the students, academics, and policymakers across the nation to co-create a new higher education governance framework. Her team’s efforts contributed to the drafting of the new Higher Education Act, with the aim of restoring student autonomy and academic freedom.

Her passion for public policy led her to serve as a Perdana Fellow with the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Parliament and Law), where she provided research and policy recommendations on constitutional amendments, legal reforms as well as governance reforms. 

Through HEYA Inc., Kar Ling and her team conducted an Economic & Safety Net survey analysis, covering key areas such as targeted subsidy reform, the gig economy, under-employment, retirement fund sustainability, and PADU implementation. The report provided in-depth demographic insights, serving as a foundation for data-driven policy recommendations.

Beyond policy and governance, Kar Ling has actively mentored and trained young leaders through prestigious platforms such as the Asia Law Academy and various youth policy competitions. She has also been a vocal advocate for access to justice, successfully securing the release of a bunch of wrongfully detained youths and assisting children in obtaining citizenship.

A recognised thought leader, she has been featured on national media, including Bernama, Astro Awani, The Edge and BFM, discussing legal and youth-related issues. In 2024, she was selected as a YSEALI Professional Fellow (Legislative and Governance), where she worked with the Hawai‘i State Energy Office and the Office of Planning and Sustainability.

With an unwavering commitment to justice, governance, and youth empowerment, Kar Ling continues to shape policy and inspire change, driven by the belief that impactful advocacy can transform lives.