AMCHAM GATE Capstone Ceremony

Government Affairs as a profession is gaining in significance and there is a marked increase in demand for this particular set of skills. On 26 April, AMCHAM held the Capstone Ceremony for our Government Affairs Training for Executives (GATE) program that was designed to support those who are and those becoming the interlocutors between business and government.  

H.E. Brian McFeeters, U.S. Ambassador to Malaysia, attended as the guest of honor and Dr Bridget Welsh provided a stirring keynote about the evolving and intersecting nature of policy, politics, business and investments, emphasizing the purpose of the GATE program.  

Launched in 2021, the inaugural GATE Program, served as a platform to develop and sharpen the skills needed for individuals engaged in government relations (GR) and public/external affairs, thus creating a network of GR practitioners. 

The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the positive aspects of having well informed executives and public service personnel who were able to navigate both worlds. The first cohort, composed of 36 AMCHAM members seeking to increase their skill sets to meet the new challenges.  The celebration, which exceeded 100 persons, was an opportunity for networking; personnel from over a dozen government divisions and 40 member companies enjoyed a sumptuous buka puasa laid on by our member the Four Seasons Kuala Lumpur.

For more information on or to participate in the next GATE program, please contact [email protected]

Lemons to Lemonade: Life Lessons of GR Executives

To round off our inaugural program for GR executives that AMCHAM initiated last year, a panel discussion leading executives in this field from the AMCHAM membership shared heart-to-heart realities about the choices they made that placed them into this role. They also shared insights and ‘life-lessons’ and how to be successful – after you have figured out how you define success!

Thank you to Andy Lee, Government Affairs Director, Johnson & Johnson Malaysia; Khairul Abdul Ghani, Public Affairs, Communications & Sustainability Director, Coca-Cola; and Abdul Rahman Abu Haniffa, Government Engagement Director, GE Malaysia, for being our panellists.