AMCHAM’s Leadership Series spotlights the various members of the Chamber taking on a leadership role either within a committee or on the board. This series serves as a platform for leaders to share their perspectives on being part of AMCHAM’s leadership.

In this edition, we are proud to feature our Board member and Gold tiered member, Naeem Shahab Khan, Managing Director, Philip Morris Malaysia & Singapore. See his responses below.

1. How long have you served on the AMCHAM Board, and how has the Chamber evolved during your time?

• I have had the privilege of serving on the AMCHAM Board for 4 years
• During this period, I have seen AMCHAM evolve into a more dynamic, inclusive, and policy-influential organization.
• As the saying goes, ‘When the going gets tough, the tough get going.’ COVID was a watershed moment for AMCHAM revealing both the team’s resilience and its unwavering focus on business, which truly set the Chamber apart.
• Since then, Chamber has shifted from being a membership driven body that helps with advocacy and networking that has evolved to become a true voice for business support, facilitating dialogue between government and industry.

2. In your view, what makes AMCHAM distinct from other Chambers?

• AMCHAM stands out because of its close alignment with U.S. businesses and its deep commitment to supporting Malaysia’s long-term economic growth.
• AMCHAM provides both high-level policy engagement and practical, on-the-ground support for members across sectors.
• It creates a unique space where global companies, local businesses, and policymakers converge, and we do it in a manner that is beneficial for both Malaysia and United states.

3. Why do you believe AMCHAM’s voice is vital within Malaysia’s business and policy landscape?

• Malaysia’s policy environment is evolving rapidly, and business perspectives are critical to shaping balanced, pragmatic regulations. In an era of geopolitical flux, regulatory and policy stability and sustainability is more critical than ever
• AMCHAM’s collective voice ensures that U.S. businesses are not only heard but also contribute constructively to Malaysia’s economic and social development in a manner that it creates a win-win for both Malaysia and United states.
• The Chamber provides credibility, scale, and a platform for advocacy that individual companies may not be able to achieve on their own.

4. How does your involvement with AMCHAM align with your company’s strategic goals in Malaysia and the region?

• At Philip Morris Malaysia, our vision is to deliver a smoke-free future through innovation, science, and partnership. Our CEO and us believes that cigarettes belong to a museum and we cannot do this alone. We need the help of society, regulators, businesses and consumers of our products to make this happen.
• Being part of AMCHAM allows us to align with like-minded organizations that share a commitment to responsible business, purpose led vision and sustainable growth.
• It also provides a channel to engage constructively with policymakers and other industries as we navigate regulatory and economic transitions in Malaysia and across ASEAN.

5. How can members especially new or less active ones get more involved and help shape the Chamber’s direction?

• Start small join a committee or attend a working group session. That’s where real conversations happen.
• Share expertise: whether on policy, ESG, or innovation, every member has insights that add value.
• Engagement is reciprocal the more members contribute, the more influence and benefits they gain.

6. Looking ahead, what are your hopes for AMCHAM’s growth and impact over the next 3–5 years?

• I hope AMCHAM continues to strengthen its role as a trusted partner to the Malaysian and US government.
• The Chamber should deepen its policy influence, particularly on issues like sustainability, digital transformation, AI and investment facilitation.
• Long term, I see AMCHAM becoming the benchmark Chamber in Malaysia for both thought leadership and impact.

7. What advice would you offer to member companies looking to get the most value from their AMCHAM membership?

• Be proactive don’t just attend events, shape them.
• Engage with committees, share challenges, and contribute to policy discussions.
• The more active you are, the more your organization will gain in terms of visibility, influence, and network building.

8. In your opinion, why is it important for U.S. businesses operating in Malaysia to be actively engaged with AMCHAM?

• Because collective action drives real outcomes.
• AMCHAM helps ensure U.S. businesses have a unified, credible voice in Malaysia’s business ecosystem.
• Active participation also strengthens bilateral ties and reinforces the role of U.S. companies as long-term partners in Malaysia’s growth story.

9. As a Board member whose company is also a Tiered Member, what motivated Philip Morris Malaysia to take up Tiered Membership, and how has it benefited your organization?

• Tiered Membership reflects our commitment to being an active contributor, not just a participant.
• It has allowed Philip Morris Malaysia to play a stronger role in shaping policy dialogue, supporting Chamber initiatives, and driving thought leadership.
• In return, we’ve benefited from deeper engagement with key stakeholders, greater visibility, and the ability to collaborate with peers at the highest level.

It began with a simple idea: to make a difference. As 2025 draws to a close, we reflect on how McDermott’s Kuala Lumpur team turned that idea into reality. At McDermott, corporate social responsibility (CSR) is more than giving, it is about creating hope and opening doors to brighter futures. This year, our team demonstrated what it truly means to lead with care, compassion, and purpose.

Picture a family opening a box filled with daily essentials that make tomorrow a little easier. That’s what our employees’ generosity achieved. More than 150 boxes of food and hygiene items were delivered to 200 indigenous families in need. The gratitude was heartfelt, with many sharing how these simple contributions eased daily struggles and brought comfort to their homes. When we added clothes, coloring books, and toys in support of World Cleanup Day, the smiles on children’s faces said it all – a small act of kindness that became a big moment of joy for the entire McDermott team.

Just weeks later, that same spirit of giving filled classrooms at the Children’s Future Education Center in Kuala Lumpur during a STEM education day. Eighteen volunteers spent time with 64 students (all under protected refugee status in Malaysia). Some will remain here, while others will eventually resettle in countries such as the United States. Through hands-on activities, our team aimed not only to teach but to inspire these young learners to embrace education and envision a future in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. To help these bright minds continue learning, we donated ten laptops, opening doors to knowledge and opportunity.

Mahesh Swaminathan, McDermott’s Senior Vice President for the Subsea and Floating Facilities business line, shared a heartfelt message:

“The CSR initiatives are a powerful reminder that every act of kindness matters. Whether it is delivering essentials to families or inspiring students through education, these efforts reflect our values in action. Thank you to everyone who volunteered, contributed, and made these moments possible. Thank you also to the community and schoolchildren who welcomed us. Together, we create ripples of positive change that go far beyond our workplace.”

The two CSR initiatives held this year are part of a broader company focus on giving back to the communities where we operate. Our employees make this possible, and we look forward to continuing these meaningful contributions in 2026 and beyond.

On 8th to 9th December 2025, AMCHAM attended and contributed to the “Securing IP Assets in Global Semiconductor Supply Chains” workshop by Sandia National Laboratories at Sheraton Towers, Singapore. Our Government Relations team, represented by Hasnul Nadzrin and Sashvin Raj, shared perspectives from a chamber viewpoint on how policy, collaboration, and governance can strengthen IP protection across the semiconductor ecosystem.​

Across the two days, discussions reinforced that semiconductor IP is a strategic asset exposed to risks from insider threats, cyberattacks, and complex global partnerships. AMCHAM looks forward to continuing this important dialogue with members and partners as the region deepens its role in the global semiconductor supply chain.

Tremco, a US-based construction materials group and AMCHAM Bronze member, has expressed strong optimism about Malaysia’s near-term growth outlook, driven by rising demand from data centres, industrial developments, and evolving global supply chain strategies.

According to May Ling Chin, Country Manager of Tremco Malaysia, the company’s expanded manufacturing facility in Serendah reinforces Malaysia’s role as a strategic production and supply hub for the Asia-Pacific region. With a growing pipeline of data centre projects and sustained industrial investments, demand is expected to remain robust as manufacturers continue diversifying operations amid global trade and geopolitical shifts.

Read the full article here

The Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry has appointed 1 January 2026 as the date on which the Countervailing and Anti-Dumping Duties (Amendment) Act 2025 will come into operation.¹ Our article that highlights the key amendments to be made to the Countervailing and Anti-Dumping Duties Act 1993 pursuant to the Amendment Act (whilst it was a Parliamentary Bill) can be accessed here.

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Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, December 8, 2025 — Federal Express Corporation, one of the world’s largest express transportation companies, released insights from a recent survey exploring trends and sentiment around the year-end festive shopping season among businesses and consumers across Asia Pacific (APAC) and Europe, including Malaysia.

Conducted in September 2025, the survey gathered insights from 850 small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) and 850 consumers across 13 APAC markets, including 30 Malaysian SMEs and 30 Malaysian consumers who actively purchase from European sellers. It also examines business expectations for the holiday gifting season and highlights customer preferences and concerns.

Malaysian Consumers Spread Holiday Shopping Across the Year-End Peak

Malaysian consumers are spreading their holiday shopping across the entire year-end peak, with 30% starting in October, 23% in November, and another 30% in December. This trend reflects strong optimism, as half of consumers plan to increase their online shopping compared to last year, and nearly one-third aim to complete at least half of their purchases online. Fashion, food, and electronics dominate the shopping list, with product quality (83%), brand reputation (77%), and uniqueness (50%) emerging as the key factors influencing purchase decisions.

Cross-border e-commerce and major online shopping festivals continue to fuel demand. This year, shopping festivals such as Double 11, Black Friday, and Cyber Monday are especially influential, with 97% of Malaysian consumers factoring these events into their holiday purchase planning. Reflecting this trend, SMEs are adjusting their strategies: 91% of APAC businesses (97% for Malaysian businesses) and 83% of European businesses view e-commerce shopping festivals as critical for capturing seasonal demand.

Logistics and Delivery Are Key Purchase Drivers

Fast and reliable delivery is a top priority for Malaysian consumers, with 97% considering it important. Yet, delayed deliveries (77%) and elevated shipping costs (57%) are the primary pain points from previous seasons, underscoring the need for e-tailers to optimize logistics performance and customer experience.

These concerns directly impact purchasing decisions, with Malaysian consumers saying they would be more likely to buy from European sellers if there were more product choices (73%), more sustainable options (60%), and better return policies (50%). The survey also revealed that most Malaysian consumers purchase European products through e-commerce marketplaces (80%), more than double the share of direct brand websites (13%) and physical stores (7%), highlighting a strong preference towards online shopping.

Malaysian SMEs are responding to these rising expectations, with 53% offering more localized products or product ranges for the European market and 43% enhancing fulfillment and delivery operations. Encouragingly, 97% report confidence in meeting delivery deadlines for international shipments this holiday season.

Empowering SMEs with Integrated E-Commerce and Digital Logistics Solutions

“Malaysia’s holiday shopping season, spanning between October and December, reflects the need for businesses to adopt agile strategies as well as manage inventory and delivery capacity effectively,” said Woon Tien Long, managing director, FedEx Malaysia. “At FedEx, we’re supporting SMEs with advanced planning tools and flexible delivery solutions, helping them meet customer expectations consistently while staying competitive in a dynamic e-commerce landscape.”

FedEx’s comprehensive e-commerce solutions support e-tailers in streamlining order fulfillment. The company has integrated its Ship Manager platform, with leading e-commerce marketplaces such as Shopify and BigCommerce, enabling APAC e-tailers to create shipments and manage paperwork directly from their online orders. These easy-to-use, friction-free services are crucial for e-commerce merchants, especially during the busy holiday season when order volumes increase significantly.

To meet rising expectations for speed and reliability, e-commerce shipping services such as FedEx® International Connect Plus (FICP) help merchants ship within Asia Pacific as well as to the U.S. and Europe. This cost-effective international solution typically delivers most shipments within one to three business days[1], aligning closely with consumer demand for fast delivery.

Last-mile delivery also remains central to shaping consumer experience, and FedEx has built a network of approximately 260,000 smart lockers across APAC, providing customers with secure pickup locations. Additionally, customizable delivery options, along with direct messaging and convenient tracking through digital tools like FedEx® Delivery Manager International and Picture of Proof Delivery, provide consumers with the assurance that their packages have been delivered right to their doorsteps.

[1]  Availability of services and transit time may vary depending on origin and destination postal code.