George Town, 7 March 2012
Penang Institute is extremely proud to congratulate SEO Steven Sim Chee Keong on his selection as a Young Global Leader by the prestigious World Economic Forum (WEF).
Steven joins 191 others from 59 countries in this year’s selection, which honours young leaders from all over the world for their outstanding leadership, professional accomplishments and commitments to society. For this year, only two Young Global Leaders were selected from Malaysia, the other being YB Nurul Izzah Anwar, Member of Parliament for Lembah Pantai.
Steven and Nurul Izzah will join illustrious company in an alumni that includes Google Founder Larry Page and UK Prime Minister David Cameron.
Steven is the Senior Executive Officer of the Penang Institute, where he assists in the overall management of a think tank that aspires to be the premier public policy research centre in the region.
Besides his position in the Penang Institute, Steven has also served as a councillor in the Province Wellesley Municipal Council since January 2011. He is no stranger to international roles, as he was a participant in the US Department of State’s International Visitors Leadership Programme in 2009 in addition to being an invited guest at President Barack Obama’s inauguration ceremony in Washington D.C. He was also the former Executive Secretary of the Network of Social Democracy in Asia.
In a world fraught with unprecedented global challenges amidst a changing economic world order, the WEF rightly points out that the single most important commodity is human talent. As such, the Young Global Leaders represent the voice of the future and the hopes of the next generation. This current batch of honourees will begin a year-long process of engagement in task forces seeking to address specific challenges of global public interest.
Once again, the Penang Institute is extremely proud that one of our own has been chosen for this prestigious honour. Steven Sim has not only done the Institute proud, he has also brought much pride and elation to Penang and Malaysia. Our heartiest congratulations, and may his tenure as a Young Global Leader help to further deepen his knowledge and hone his talent as a future Malaysian leader.
Zairil Khir Johari
Penang Institute CEO