Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, October 15, 2026 — The 5th Finance ReImagined Malaysia 2026 brought together finance leaders, technology specialists and industry professionals on October 15 at Pavilion Hotel Kuala Lumpur Managed by Banyan Tree, for a full day of discussions on strategic leadership, artificial intelligence (AI), finance transformation and business growth.
Held under the theme Transforming Strategy, Inspiring Leadership & Delivering Impact, the event formed part of the DigitalCFO Asia Finance ReImagined Series 2026. The programme featured keynote presentations, technology spotlights, panel discussions, fireside chats and an audience question-and-answer session, covering issues ranging from autonomous finance operations and treasury forecasting to talent strategy, taxation and capital allocation.
The 5th Finance ReImagined Malaysia 2026 was supported by Gold Sponsors Lucanet, Mindsprint and CCH Tagetik; Roundtable Sponsor Thomson Reuters; Networking Sponsor Esker; Document Management Partners DocuWare and Ricoh; Knowledge Partner Ripple Treasury; and Sustainable Mobility Partner Ayvens. Exhibitors included Lucanet, Mindsprint, CCH Tagetik, Thomson Reuters, Esker, DocuWare, Ricoh, Ayvens, think-cell, Ripple Treasury, Prophix and WenetWork Malaysia.
Opening Keynote and Panel 1: Strategic Leadership in an AI-Driven World
The event opened with a welcome address by Ryan Kwa, Managing Director & Group Publisher at DigitalCFO Asia, followed by an opening keynote from Joanne Rodrigues, Group Chief Financial Officer at Affin Bank Berhad. Under the title Finance Reimagined – Strategic Leadership & Measurable Impact in an AI-Driven World, the keynote set the context for discussions on the evolving role of finance leaders as organisations navigate technological change and shifting business priorities.
The first technology spotlight, delivered by Neha Lohia and Vivek Changoiwala, Directors at Mindsprint, explored From AI Hype to Autonomous Impact: Building Autonomous SSC & Finance Operations. The session examined the topic of autonomous shared services centres (SSCs) and finance operations.
Panel Discussion 1, 2026 CFO Challenges: Balancing Risk, Growth and Artificial Intelligence (AI) in a Fragmented World, brought together Lim Boon Boon, Chief Financial Officer at KIP REIT; Ramanathan Thiagarajan, Chief Financial Officer at AirAsia MOVE; and Paul Puspanathan, Global Supply Chain Controller and Global SC Finance Operation Director at Baker Hughes. The discussion was moderated by Phoebe Toh, Chief Financial Officer at Knight Frank Malaysia. The panel addressed the challenges facing CFOs as they balance risk management, business growth and AI adoption amid a fragmented global business environment.
Technology Spotlights and Treasury Insights: From Automation to Decision-Making
The morning programme continued with Bryan Wong, Senior Solutions Engineer at Lucanet, presenting From Manual Close to AI-Assisted Close: A Practical Roadmap. The session focused on the transition from manual financial closing processes towards AI-assisted approaches.
Neal Cooper, Regional Director Cash Forecasting at Ripple Treasury, then delivered From Forecast to Decision: Why Accuracy Alone Isn’t Enough in Volatile Conditions. The session examined the relationship between cash forecasting accuracy and decision-making in volatile business conditions. Ryota Ouchi, Principal Account Manager APAC at think-cell, followed with Closing the Gap Between Data and Decision-Making in Board Reporting, addressing the connection between financial data and board-level reporting.
Panel Discussion 2, Strategic Trade-Offs: How CFOs/Finance Leaders are Reprioritising Technology, AI & Digital Investments in an Uncertain Economy, brought together Christina Ong, Head of Finance at HAVI Logistics (M) Sdn Bhd; Joanne Tsung, Director, Finance Controlling APAC & MEA and Director GSSC KL at Electrolux; Sophia Awang, Head of Finance Operations at Malaysia Aviation Group; and Daniel Viertel, Director, Partner & Alliances, APAC at Wolters Kluwer CCH Tagetik.
Moderated by Sereen Teoh, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of SurplusLoop, the panel focused on the decisions finance leaders face when prioritising technology and digital investments amid economic uncertainty.
Afternoon Sessions: AI Exposure, Growth and Workforce Transformation
The afternoon programme resumed with Halid Bin Ayob, Regional Sales Director (APAC South) at DocuWare, presenting Shadow AI: The Hidden Cost Between Innovation and Exposure. The session brought attention to the risks associated with AI adoption outside established organisational oversight.
The first afternoon fireside chat, Are CFOs the New Chief Growth Officers? Driving Business Growth and Expansion in an Uncertain Economy, featured Faisal Irfan, Head of Asia Pacific Finance Cluster at Volvo Cars, and Nguyen Thi Lan Anh (Lisa), Chief Financial Officer at NaviWorld Vietnam. The discussion was moderated by Seri Idawaty Mat Zain, Chief Executive Officer of the Malaysian Institute of Certified Public Accountants. The conversation centred on the expanding relationship between finance leadership, business growth and expansion in an uncertain economic environment.
Panel Discussion 3 examined AI Talent, Workforce Strategy & Culture Change: Can Organisations Keep Up While Delivering Measurable Business Impact? The panel featured Charis Teoh, Head of Finance at AirAsia Rewards; Jessica Low, Chief Financial Officer at SAP Malaysia; and Adrine Ong, Finance Director at Classic Fine Foods Malaysia. Gurmeet Singh, Executive Director at Vistra, moderated the discussion. The session focused on the intersection of AI adoption, workforce strategy and organisational culture, including the challenge of keeping pace with technological change while pursuing measurable business outcomes.
Tax Strategy and Finance Talent: Responding to Changing Business Needs
The programme continued with a fireside chat titled The New Tax Agenda: From Compliance & Cost Control to Technology, Risk & Strategic Value. Speakers Fitriah Yusof, Head of Tax at Maxis, and Izzad Shamsudin, Chief Financial Officer at KPJ Healthcare Berhad, discussed the subject alongside moderator Karan Batra, Head Corporates Asia at Thomson Reuters. The session explored the broader role of tax in organisational decision-making, moving beyond compliance and cost control to consider technology, risk and strategic value.
The next fireside chat, Malaysia Talent Outlook 2026: Hiring Trends, Skills in Demand & Workforce Priorities in Accounting & Finance, featured Nicholas Choy, Finance & Commercial Director at Always Marketing, and Tai Ming Ming, Group Chief Operating Officer at Cheng & Co Group. Naishadh (Nai) Bhonsle, Managing Director at WenetWork Malaysia, moderated the session. The discussion addressed hiring trends, in-demand skills and workforce priorities within Malaysia’s accounting and finance sectors.
Capital Allocation, Productivity and Growth
The programme’s final substantive session, Ask the Experts: Capital Allocation, Productivity and Future Growth Priorities, featured Firuz Alimov, Founder and CEO of Aether.Builders; Jessimah Sulaiman, Group Financial Controller at POS Malaysia Berhad; and Junaidy Ab-Mutalib, Managing Partner at JM & Co Chartered Accountants. Joyce Loh, Group Chief Financial Officer at Kliqxe, moderated the audience Q&A. The conference concluded with a lucky draw, prize presentation, photo-taking and closing remarks.
Looking Ahead
The 5th Finance ReImagined Malaysia 2026 brought together finance professionals and technology specialists to discuss strategic leadership, AI adoption, investment priorities, treasury, taxation and workforce transformation. Through its programme of keynotes, technology spotlights, panel discussions and fireside chats, the Malaysia edition continued the Finance ReImagined Series 2026’s focus on finance leadership and the changing role of the finance function.
DigitalCFO Asia extends its appreciation to all speakers, sponsors, partners and attendees for their participation and support. Stay connected with DigitalCFO Asia and discover our 2027 events here: https://digitalnow.asia/2027-events
