SHAH ALAM, Nov 25 (Bernama) -- Tengku Permaisuri Selangor Tengku Permaisuri Norashikin today graced the opening of the Arshad Ayub Forum at Pustaka Raja Tun Uda, Section 13 here.
Her Highness arrived at the venue at 3 pm and was welcomed by Alumni Federation of the Universiti Teknologi MARA (PAUiTM) president Saiful Azhar Shaharun.
Also present was the wife of the late Tun Arshad Ayub, Toh Puan Zaleha Mohd Arshad.
Tengku Permaisuri Norashikin also consented to attend the forum, which featured prominent economic figures as panellists, including former Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Economy) Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed, Khazanah Research Institute (KRI) Research Director Dr Suraya Ismail, and Bank Muamalat Malaysia Berhad Chief Economist Dr Mohd Afzanizam Abdul Rashid.
The forum, titled Inclusive Economy: Empowering Bumiputera Equity, was moderated by Prudential Assurance Malaysia Berhad’s Director of Government Affairs, Meor Hafizan Abdul Ghani.
The Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) is the official media partner for the inaugural forum.
Tengku Permaisuri Norashikin later presented souvenirs to the panellists, the moderator, and Bernama’s Head of Policy and Strategic Planning, Harlina Samson, who represented the agency.
Meanwhile, Saiful Azhar said the organisation of the first series of the forum was timely, reflecting the need to equip the current generation with the right agenda, strategies and narratives on the economy and equity, rooted in the educational initiatives provided by the government.
He said the Arshad Ayub Forum complements ongoing government efforts, particularly under the Bumiputera Economic Transformation Plan 2035 (PuTERA35), as well as various other initiatives implemented at both government and organisational levels.
“Therefore, for the inaugural Arshad Ayub Forum, we highlighted key issues on the economy and equity shaped by educational efforts, with insights from three distinguished experts in their respective fields,” he said, adding that the second series of the forum is expected to be held in the second quarter of next year.
-- BERNAMA