Hosted by Areca Capital, this forum focused on current market trends, economic shifts, and practical strategies for investors. With uncertainty still shaping global markets, this event offers a space to hear diverse perspectives—from macro views to personal wealth planning.
Meet Our Speakers
Important Update – Special Address Session
We wish to inform you that YBhg. Dato Sri Dr. Muhammad Abdullah bin Haji Zaidel will not be able to deliver the Special Address at the Areca Investment & Wealth Forum 2025 due to a last-minute official commitment involving a state-level visit abroad.
Thank you for your kind understanding and look forward to welcoming you to a meaningful and engaging forum ahead.
KEYNOTE SPEAKER:

Tan Sri Andrew Sheng
Distinguished Fellow, Asia Global Institute The University of Hong Kong
Tan Sri Andrew Sheng is a former central banker and financial regulator in Asia and a commentator on global finance. He is Pro-Chancellor of Bristol University and Distinguished Fellow, Asia Global Institute, University of Hong Kong, as well as Chairman, George Town Institute of Open and Advanced Studies, Wawasan Open University, Malaysia.
Tan Sri Andrew Sheng is a member of International Advisory Council of National Financial Regulatory Administration (NFRA) and China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC), China and he is one of the Chief Executive’s Council of Advisers, The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. He is also a member of International Advisory Council, China Investment Corporation (CIC).
Tan Sri Andrew Sheng sits in the Advisory Board of Bank Indonesia Institute. He is a member to Commission on Global Economic Transformation, chaired by Nobel Laureates Stiglitz and Spence. He sits in the Malaysia International Islamic Financial Centre (MIFC) Leadership Council and as Distinguished Fellow, Institute for Capital Market Research, Malaysia.
He served as Chairman of the Securities and Futures Commission of Hong Kong from 1998 to 2005, having previously been a central banker with the Hong Kong Monetary Authority and Bank Negara Malaysia. He also worked with the World Bank from 1989 to 1993. From 2003 to 2005, he chaired the Technical Committee of the International Organisation of Securities Commission (IOSCO). He was a Board Member of Khazanah Nasional Berhad, the sovereign wealth fund of Malaysia. He was an International Advisory Board Member of Thailand Development Research Institute.
He has a First Class Honours in Economics from Bristol University, and Honorary Doctorates from University of Bristol and University of Malaya. He is an Adjunct Professor at the Graduates School of Economics and Management, Tsinghua University, Beijing and Faculty of Economics, University of Malaya. He is a Professor by Practice at School of Business and Administration, Wawasan Open University, Malaysia. He is also the distinguished professor at The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen campus.
Tan Sri Andrew Sheng is author of “From Asian to Global Financial Crisis: An Asian Regulator’s View of Unfettered Finance in the 1990s and 2000s” (2009) and co-editor (with Ng Chow Soon) of the book, “Bringing Shadow Banking into the Light: Opportunity for Financial Reform in China” (2015). He writes regularly on international finance and monetary economics, financial regulation and global governance for Project Syndicate, AsiaNewsNet and leading economic magazines and newspapers in China and Asia. In April 2013, Andrew was named by Time Magazine as one of the 100 most influential people in the world. He also appeared in the Oscar-winning film “Inside Job” in 2011.

Tan Sri Andrew Sheng
Distinguished Fellow, Asia Global Institute The University of Hong Kong
Tan Sri Andrew Sheng is a former central banker and financial regulator in Asia and a commentator on global finance. He is Pro-Chancellor of Bristol University and Distinguished Fellow, Asia Global Institute, University of Hong Kong, as well as Chairman, George Town Institute of Open and Advanced Studies, Wawasan Open University, Malaysia.
Tan Sri Andrew Sheng is a member of International Advisory Council of National Financial Regulatory Administration (NFRA) and China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC), China and he is one of the Chief Executive’s Council of Advisers, The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. He is also a member of International Advisory Council, China Investment Corporation (CIC).
Tan Sri Andrew Sheng sits in the Advisory Board of Bank Indonesia Institute. He is a member to Commission on Global Economic Transformation, chaired by Nobel Laureates Stiglitz and Spence. He sits in the Malaysia International Islamic Financial Centre (MIFC) Leadership Council and as Distinguished Fellow, Institute for Capital Market Research, Malaysia.
He served as Chairman of the Securities and Futures Commission of Hong Kong from 1998 to 2005, having previously been a central banker with the Hong Kong Monetary Authority and Bank Negara Malaysia. He also worked with the World Bank from 1989 to 1993. From 2003 to 2005, he chaired the Technical Committee of the International Organisation of Securities Commission (IOSCO). He was a Board Member of Khazanah Nasional Berhad, the sovereign wealth fund of Malaysia. He was an International Advisory Board Member of Thailand Development Research Institute.
He has a First Class Honours in Economics from Bristol University, and Honorary Doctorates from University of Bristol and University of Malaya. He is an Adjunct Professor at the Graduates School of Economics and Management, Tsinghua University, Beijing and Faculty of Economics, University of Malaya. He is a Professor by Practice at School of Business and Administration, Wawasan Open University, Malaysia. He is also the distinguished professor at The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen campus.
Tan Sri Andrew Sheng is author of “From Asian to Global Financial Crisis: An Asian Regulator’s View of Unfettered Finance in the 1990s and 2000s” (2009) and co-editor (with Ng Chow Soon) of the book, “Bringing Shadow Banking into the Light: Opportunity for Financial Reform in China” (2015). He writes regularly on international finance and monetary economics, financial regulation and global governance for Project Syndicate, AsiaNewsNet and leading economic magazines and newspapers in China and Asia. In April 2013, Andrew was named by Time Magazine as one of the 100 most influential people in the world. He also appeared in the Oscar-winning film “Inside Job” in 2011.
Panellists:

Danny Wong Teck Meng
Chief Executive Officer, Areca Capital
He has more than 30 years of work experience in stock broking, fund management, unit trust business and financial planning field. Danny is a fellow member of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) and a CFP CERT TM professional. He holds a Capital Markets and Services Representative’s License for the regulated activities of Fund Management, Financial Planning and Investment Advice from the Securities Commission Malaysia. He is an elected Director of the Federation of Investment Managers Malaysia (FIMM). He also holds directorship in other private equity and startup companies.

Ch'ng Cheng Siew
Chief Investment Officer, Areca Capital
She has over 25 years of experience across audit, corporate finance, and fund management with a proven track record of success earning multiple Lipper Fund Awards for outstanding 3-Year and 10-Year performance across various categories, including Areca Capital's flagship fund, Areca equityTRUST Fund. Cheng Siew is a chartered accountant of MIA and a CPA Australia qualified professional. She holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Melbourne.

Edward Iskandar Toh
Chief Executive Officer, Acaena Capital Pte Ltd
30+ years of experience in banking & fund management, especially in fixed income and private equity. As the CEO, he oversees the strategic direction, investment management and overall business growth. Prior to joining Acaena Capital in 2025, he served as the Chief Investment Officer at Areca Capital, overseeing and managing all money market and fixed income portfolios’ investments and performances. He is also part of the senior management team that is overall responsible for the development, strategy, and structuring of all funds including private equity funds. He graduated with a Bachelor of Business Studies degree from Curtin University.

Ning Jun
Deputy Director, All China Active Equity Investment, Fullgoal Asset Management (HK) Limited
Ning Jun has dedicated 14 years to her career at Fullgoal, where she has excelled in QDII, overseas funds, and Hong Kong Stock Connect mandates. Currently, she serves as the Deputy Director of the Overseas Equity Investment Department, playing a key role in training top investment professionals in Hong Kong. Ning manages several high-performing funds, including the Fullgoal Hugangshen Performance Driven Hybrid Fund, Fullgoal Blue Chip Selected Equity Fund (QDII), and Fullgoal China Small-Mid Cap Growth Fund. Her funds have achieved top UCITS investment performance among peers, earning a prestigious Morningstar 5-star rating along with multiple awards. With a bottom-up, fundamental research approach and a strong focus on growth, she consistently delivers excellent long-term excess returns by identifying and steadfastly investing in leading quality growth stocks within niche industries, thereby fostering growth alongside the companies she supports. Ning holds both Master's and Bachelor's degrees from Tsinghua University.

Michelle Chuo
Director, PricewaterhouseCoopers Taxation Services Sdn Bhd
Michelle has over 20 years of experience in providing corporate and personal tax advisory services to a diverse portfolio of corporate tax and personal tax clients, delivering tailored tax advice and compliance services. Michelle leads the personal tax team, overseeing a team of tax professionals to deliver comprehensive range of personal tax services. She is also the core team member of the Entrepreneur Private Business servicing a wide range of family businesses in Malaysia.

Rian Philip
Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Moby Money
A pioneer in Malaysia’s shariah-compliant fintech space, Rian launched Moby to make credit and payments more inclusive, responsible, and accessible. Under his leadership, Moby has grown into a full ecosystem offering BNPL, insurance, and Shariah-compliant solutions for thousands of Malaysian users and merchants. He is a visionary founder, a fintech trailblazer, and someone who is reshaping how financial services are delivered across the region.

Darren Ong
Trust Specialist, Areca Capital
Darren has over 15 years of experience in the Banking and Estate Planning industry. He has been involved in wealth management, product development, training and client advisory for estate planning solutions.
Moderator:

Peter Chai Mui Seng
President of Sarawak Manufacturer’s Association
Peter Chai Mui Seng is the founder of DPI Group of Companies, a diversified group focused on aerosol products, solvents and thinners, and plastics. Over more than 65 years, Peter rose from humble beginnings — including stints as a coffee shop cleaner and army barber — to build a successful business empire with operations across Malaysia, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, and other international markets. Under his leadership, DPI was listed on the ACE Market of Bursa Securities in 2019. Beyond DPI, he is also a shareholder and director of Hartanah Kenyalan Berhad and Eneco Refresh Limited in Australia, while expanding into FMCG, pharmaceuticals, and property investments. Peter’s entrepreneurial spirit and community contributions have earned him wide recognition throughout his distinguished career. He is currently the President of Sarawak Manufacturer’s Association and Council Member of Sarawak Business Federation.

Kuek Ser Kwang Zhe
Editor of Wealth, The Edge
Kuek Ser Kwang Zhe is the editor of Wealth, a monthly pullout of The Edge that focuses on personal wealth and asset management stories. He has over ten years of experience writing about topics related to the fund management, financial technology, and digital asset industry among others.
Stay tuned, more speakers and moderators coming along.
PROGRAMME:
Subject to Change
8:00 AM
Registration, Refreshments & Networking
9:00 AM
Welcome & Opening Remark by Areca Capital
9:10 AM
Keynote Session: Navigating the New World Order + Q&A
by Tan Sri Andrew Sheng
Geopolitical realignments and economic shifts are creating a more fragmented, volatile world. Discover how investors can adapt as superpowers recalibrate and disruption becomes the norm.
10:10 AM
Panel Session 1: Opportunities in Uncertainty
Market and Investment Outlook
Rate pivots, inflation, and shifting trade dynamics challenge traditional playbooks. Hear how experienced investors find clarity and opportunity in volatile equity markets.
12:00 PM
Lunch & Networking
2:00 PM
Panel Session 2: Fuelling Growth
Business and Funding Strategies
Discover how business owners can unlock growth through private capital, alternative funding, and strategic expansion — beyond traditional models.
3:00 PM
Coffee Break
3:10 PM
Panel Session 3: Safeguarding Your Legacy
Private Trust and Estate Planning
Wealth isn’t just built — it’s preserved. Explore how trusts and succession strategies protect your legacy, ensuring continuity, control, and peace of mind across generations.
4:10 PM
Closing Remark | Photo Session | Networking
5:00 PM
End of Event
PROGRAMME:
Subject to Change