Kota Kinabalu: The Sabah Young Business and Industry Leaders (SYBIL) Network recently hosted an exclusive Chinese New Year VIP Networking Evening, marking a significant occasion for the region’s business community.
More than 50 distinguished guests, including respected industry leaders, young entrepreneurs, and influential figures, took time out of their busy schedules to gather and engage in valuable networking.
This event provided a crucial platform to encourage young Sabahan entrepreneurs and industry leaders to take an active role in shaping the future of Sabah.
Prior to the main event, new and current SYBIL members participated in an intimate onboarding session, hosted by SYBIL’s Treasurer, Kevin Lee.
The values and culture of SYBIL was shared, where SYBIL believes that it is not about what you can gain benefit from but more about what you can give back to Sabah and your respective industries.
The session offered an opportunity for the many new members to network and learn about the importance of joining the various taskforces where they can contribute to help develop policies that can will ultimately give benefit to Sabah.
Throughout the evening, SYBIL members, executive committee members, and taskforce leaders shared their expertise and insights on key sectors such as healthcare, digitalisation, food security, green energy, and oil & gas.
They outlined their goals for contributing to Sabah’s economic growth in the coming year.
John Cham, SYBIL member and Managing Director of Blue Swan Home Care, shared his personal aspiration to give back to Sabah after spending two decades overseas.
“One of the biggest issues I see in Sabah is the lack of government funding for home care services,” said Cham.
“My dream is to advocate for policies that reduce hospital stays and unlock funding for home care, starting with Sabah, and next potentially throughout Malaysia. It is a more efficient way to reduce the need for prolonged hospital stay and create ease for people to continue caring for their loved ones from home.”
The evening’s highlight, hosted by Nazil Lan, SYBIL organizing committee member and Director of East Nest Borneo, focused on the importance of collaboration, generating fresh ideas, and sharing expertise to further develop Sabah’s industries.
The goal is to contribute to the long-term prosperity of the state. In-line with this goal, Gordon Pan, SYBIL organising committee and CEO of The Big G, led the traditional “Lau Sang” ceremony, wishing prosperity, health, blessings, and good fortune for all in the year ahead.
Datuk Roger Chin, SYBIL Vice President and former President of the Sabah Law Society, emphasised the strength of the SYBIL network as a platform for turning ideas into actionable solutions.
“The value of SYBIL lies in surrounding ourselves with individuals who are passionate about giving back,” he said.
Datuk Jade, SYBIL Vice President and Managing Director of Jetsin, added, “SYBIL’s platform encourages us to share, ask, and learn from one another. Together, we can achieve growth and accomplishment, rather than working in isolation.”
The evening reinforced the idea that while individual success is important, collective efforts lead to greater achievements: “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.”
Scaling Beyond Limits: CEO Masterclass 2025
Building on the momentum of the evening, SYBIL is also proud to announce the upcoming CEO Masterclass 2025 (CEOM2025), a high-impact annual event in collaboration with the Malaysian International Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MICCI) Sabah.
Now in its third edition, CEOM2025 is designed to equip business leaders with the tools and insights necessary for success in today’s rapidly evolving business environment.
The theme for this year’s Masterclass, “Scaling Beyond Limits,” will guide CEOs and entrepreneurs in Sabah to push their boundaries and elevate their businesses to new heights.
The event will feature industry titans and experts who will share valuable knowledge on leadership, strategy, and the latest trends in business management.
This is an unmissable opportunity for emerging leaders to gain mentorship and refine their skills for future success.
CEOM2025 will take place from July 9th to 10th, 2025, at the Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC).
For more information, visit Facebook page (ceomasterclasssabah), drop a call or message at +60 12 880 2554, or email the secretariat at sybilsabah@gmail.com.
SYBIL’s commitment
Beyond celebrating the cultural richness of Malaysia, the event fostered deeper engagement within the Sabah business community and provided an invaluable opportunity for mobilising talented Sabahans to foster powerful connections among like-minded individuals who share the right heart and intentions of building a strong future for the state.
As a non-political platform, SYBIL focuses on bringing together industry leaders to address challenges and collaborate on long-term solutions for Sabah’s development.
It was an auspicious evening and the synergy it created marks another milestone in SYBIL’s efforts to shape a brighter future for Sabah.
Source: Daily Express
