BEYOND BOUNDARIES: SEBA AWARDS 2024 CELEBRATES ASEAN'S FINEST ENTREPRENEURS

The 11th edition of the SEBA Awards 2024 Grand Central, themed "Beyond Boundaries | Taking Connections Further", made a grand return at the Wyndham Grand Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur, honouring exemplary achievements in entrepreneurship across the ASEAN region. The prestigious event recognised visionary leaders and industry pioneers who are redefining success and expanding possibilities in fields including agriculture, construction, retail, technology, finance, healthcare and property, strengthening SEBA's commitment to nurturing growth and excellence throughout the region.

The event was attended by notable dignitaries, including TYT Yang di-Pertua Negeri Sabah, Tun Datuk Seri Panglima (Dr.) Haji Juhar Bin Datuk Haji Mahiruddin, alongside top entrepreneurs, industry innovators and key stakeholders in ASEAN's economic landscape. In his keynote, TYT Yang di-Pertua Negeri Sabah commended SEBA's commitment to fostering excellence, saying, "SEBA stands as a beacon of inspiration for our ASEAN entrepreneurs, showcasing talent that transcends borders. I am honoured to witness such dedication and applaud the platform for cultivating a culture of resilience and innovation."

This year's SEBA Awards spotlighted an array of accomplished leaders from diverse sectors, celebrating their roles in driving growth and setting new standards across the region. Key award recipients included:

Entrepreneur of the Year – Datuk Seri Dr. KK Chai (KK Group of Companies)

Young Entrepreneur of the Year – Andrew Khong (SEO.my)

Fashion Entrepreneur of the Year – Farhan Omar (Kapten Batik (M) Sdn Bhd)

Innovative Mental Health Platform & Mental Health Innovation Pioneer – Amaze Synergy Venture Sdn Bhd

Innovative Leader in Digital Solutions & Innovative Tech Company of the Year – Mandrill Tech Sdn Bhd

Best Security Service Provider & Visionary Security Leader – Proforall Security Services & Consultancy

Excellence in Agriculture Business Leadership & Excellence of Plantation Industry – Happy Plantations (Kota Marudu) Sdn Bhd

Sustainable Design Excellence – Aden One (M) Sdn Bhd

Innovative Event and Marketing Solutions Leader – HURUF Sdn Bhd

Outstanding Marketing Automation Tool Provider – Enginemailer Sdn Bhd

Best Event Agency – La Memoria Event

ASEAN Innovation and Impact Enterprise of the Year – LOL Events (M) Sdn Bhd

Excellence in Wedding Planning and Design – Desi Events Malaysia Sdn Bhd

Innovative Cross-Border E-commerce Solution – JDMas Commerce Sdn Bhd

Outstanding IT System Integrator – Cygnus Technology Solutions Sdn Bhd

Innovative Islamic Fintech Solution of the Year – Xanderia Berhad

CSR Icon of the Year – Dato Dr. Hartini Zainudin (Yayasan Chow Kit)

Celebrity of the Year – Aisha Ratna

Media Personality of the Year – Datuk Seri Wong Chun Wai (Bernama)

Performing Artist of the Year – Jo Kukathas (The Instant Cafe Theatre Company)

Social Impact Leadership – Datuk Seri Michael Chong Ten Soo (MCA Public Services and Complaints Department)

Visionary Woman Leader in Property Development – Joanne Wendy Chung (Hap Seng Properties Development Sdn Bhd)

Youth Icon of Woman Empowerment – Nicole Lai

Entrepreneurial Excellence in Family Business – VKK Rajasekaran Teagarajan (VKK Group)

Outstanding Construction Industry Leader – Muhammad Fikri Bin Mohd Ali (Suria Harmoni Resources Sdn Bhd)

Outstanding Leadership in Healthcare Management – Dr Azman bin Ibrahim

The IoT Awards, presented by MyIOTA, went to My Evolution Sdn Bhd (Best IoT Connectivity Provider), Cre8 IoT Sdn Bhd (IoT Industry Leader) and LG Electronics (M) Sdn Bhd (Excellence in IoT Technology Development).

YBhg. Datuk Nitesh Malani, Chairman of Yayasan Usahawan Malaysia and Founder of SEBA Awards, spoke on the significance of the evening: "The SEBA Awards inspire entrepreneurs to push limits, elevate industry standards, and contribute to a resilient, interconnected ASEAN community. SEBA has truly grown 'Beyond Boundaries' in scope and impact."

The evening unfolded in an atmosphere of sophistication. With its elegant setup, the event was a feast for the senses, featuring refined decor and lighting that set the stage for a night of celebration and connection. Attendees enjoyed a lively blend of entertainment and networking opportunities, fostering a shared vision among ASEAN's top entrepreneurs and innovators.

The SEBA Awards 2024 received extensive media attention, with prominent outlets including The Star, Bernama, Astro Awani, China Press, TV3 and The Sun Daily in attendance. This coverage will amplify SEBA's influence, ensuring the achievements celebrated reach a broader audience and inspire future generations of leaders.

As SEBA continues its mission to champion entrepreneurship, the Northern Edition is set to take place in Penang in February 2025, followed by the Borneo Edition in June 2025, with nominations now open. This next phase signifies SEBA's commitment to fostering regional business excellence and innovation across Malaysia and ASEAN.