00:00With the theme of Powering Tomorrow, Driving Sustainable Growth,
00:06the Star Outstanding Business Awards,
00:08Sober 2025 continues to recognize and honor businesses and entrepreneurs
00:12that have excelled in their quest for success and achievement.
00:16Launched at Menara Star on June 5,
00:19the event was attended by sponsors and partners,
00:22with Star Media Group CEO Chan Seng-Fat at the helm,
00:25together with Chief Operating Officer Lydia Wang.
00:28The event was also graced by Sober 2025 sponsors CGC Malaysia,
00:34PKT Logistics, RHB Bank and U-Mobile,
00:38together with official trade promotion partner MarTrade,
00:41as well as the award's strategic and working partners.
00:44In his welcome speech, Chan pointed out
00:46that since Malaysia officially assumed the ASEAN chairmanship on January 1st this year,
00:51the country is at a strategic inflection point in its regional journey.
00:55This leadership role serves as a powerful springboard to strengthen regional integrations,
01:04enhance market diversification, and advance economic diplomacy.
01:11It is an unstandard opportunity for our businesses to venture into new markets,
01:17forge dynamic cross-border partnerships and elevate our competitive edge on a global scale.
01:26In a statement, CGC President and CEO Datuk Mohamed Zamri Mohamed Ishak
01:32emphasized that CGC is committed to empowering Malaysian micro-SMEs
01:36and supporting platforms like Sober 2025 reflects that mission.
01:41Meanwhile, PKT Logistics Chief Revenue Officer Kwon Yujin advised that in times of uncertainty,
01:47SMEs should be able to flex and adapt to the situation,
01:51that they should stay close to the powers of the market and innovate a way out
01:54or adapt to changing needs.
01:56PKT is a homegrown company, so we were once an SME, a struggling SME.
02:05And right now, you know, after so many years of growth, 51 years of growth,
02:10we have, I think we can argue that we might not be classified an SME anymore.
02:16So along the way, you know, we had lots of ups and downs,
02:20we had lots of things that we learned along the way and we feel honoured to be able to share it
02:27at any platform, especially one that is Sober, such a celebrated event,
02:33such a good gathering of eminent and even upcoming names in the SME sector.
02:39We'd love to share our experience, also actually absorb some things that,
02:43wherever we can from the participants.
02:45RHB Bank Group Corporate and Business Banking Managing Director Wendy Ting
02:50shared that for businesses to stay competitive in the current economic climate,
02:54they should embrace digital transformation and AI,
02:57invest in sustainability and green growth,
03:00enhance their cyber security and data resilience,
03:03prioritise human capital and upskilling,
03:06and leverage government and private sector support.
03:09SMEs are the backbone of Malaysia's economy,
03:12contributing nearly 38% to the national GDP
03:15and employing over 7 million Malaysians.
03:19Our continued support for Sober and similar platforms
03:22reflects our commitment to advancing SME excellence as a national economic priority,
03:28reinforcing our purpose-driven role.
03:31As a purposeful and responsible financial institution,
03:34RHB is committed to enabling progress for all.
03:38By recognising SME's success,
03:40we reinforce our role not only as a financial partner,
03:44but as a catalyst for business growth and innovation in Malaysia.
03:48U-Mobile Chief Information Officer Neil Tomkinson said,
03:52Sober is a timely platform to spotlight how SMEs are adapting
03:55to major shifts in tech and customer expectations.
03:58In 2025, trends like AI enablement, cyber security and digital agility
04:05will determine business longevity.
04:08U-Mobile is here to walk alongside them on that journey
04:12with solutions that are designed
04:14to make digital transformation accessible and impactful.
04:19The launch also announced
04:21six Sober ambassador appointments for this year
04:23from business association experts and past winners.
04:26Sober Awards 2025 will be presented
04:28in 18 categories in two separate tiers,
04:30one for below RM25 million
04:32and another for RM25 million and above.
04:36Also included is the Micro Sober Micro Recognition Awards,
04:40which recognises local micro brands or businesses
04:42with annual turnover of less than RM300,000.
04:46Sober 2025 is organised by SMG with CGC,
04:51PKT Logistics, RHB Bank and U-Mobile as main sponsors
04:55and Matrade as the official trade promotion partner.
04:59It is audited by BDO,
05:01while radio stations 988 and Surya are official media partners.
05:06For details, visit www.sober.com.my.
05:21For more information, visit www.sober.com.my.
Comments