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Partnership-As-A-Service: YAST Group’s Strategic Catalyst at ASEAN Sarawak Business & Economic Forum 2026
13th Feb, 2026 – The ASEAN Sarawak Business & Economic Forum 2026 recently concluded at the Hilton Hotel Kuching, marking a pivotal moment for regional economic integration. Organized by the KSI Strategic Institute for Asia Pacific, the forum centered on the theme: “From Strategy to Scale: Competing in a Fragmented Global Economy.”
As a Strategic Partner, YAST Group played a cornerstone role in these high-level discussions, aligning with policymakers and global investors to navigate the complexities of the modern economic landscape.
A Visionary Start: Opening by the Premier of Sarawak
The forum was officially opened by The Right Honourable Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Haji Abdul Rahman Zohari, Premier of Sarawak. His keynote address set a decisive tone for the Sarawak’s 13th Malaysia Plan period, emphasizing a regional shift from policy formulation to aggressive implementation and measurable scalability.
Celebrating Excellence: The ASEAN Business Excellence Award
The highlight of the evening was the prestigious award presentation, where YAST Group was honored with the ASEAN Business Excellence Award. The accolade was received by Mr. Argenis Angulo, Co-Founder of YAST Group.
“We are deeply grateful for this recognition. This award is a testament to our mission to Connect, Enrich, and Empower (CEE) communities. Guided by our L.E.A.D.E.R.S.H.I.P. culture and H.E.A.R.T.S. model, we strive to create an ecosystem where innovation and humanity thrive together.”
Honouring Global Leadership: YAST Group’s Distinguished Guests
YAST Group’s commitment to excellence extends through its global network. Several distinguished partners and guests were also recognized for their outstanding contributions to their respective industries:
| Awardee | Organization | Award Category |
| Ms. Jia Mei Cheng | Chengdu Orange Light Universe Tech | ASEAN CEO Icon Leadership Award |
| Mr. Jiang Wei | China Submarine Cable Construction (CSCC) | ASEAN Innovation Excellence Award |
| Mr. Antonio Jose Moschella Gonzalez | Lukiven Business Group | ASEAN Outstanding Entrepreneur Award |
| Dato Dr Jeniri Bin Amir | Sarawak Tribune & Suara Sarawak | ASEAN CEO Icon Leadership Award |
| Mr. Hallman Bin Sabri | Sarawak Skills | ASEAN Human Resource Leadership Award |
Driving the Conversation: AI, Green Energy, and Digital Transformation
Beyond accolades, YAST Group was at the forefront of the forum’s technical discourse. Madam Esther Law Lee Poh moderated the high-stakes session: “Business Leadership in AI, Green, and Digital Transformation.”
The panel addressed the critical realities of deploying emerging technologies under capital constraints and regulatory shifts. Key takeaways included:
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Operational Discipline: Transitioning from digital experimentation to commercially viable AI models.
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Sustainability: Balancing rising energy demands from digital infrastructure with urgent climate policy.
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Human Capital: Equipping the ASEAN workforce to lead in a technology-driven economy.
In a moment of significant thought leadership, Madam Esther Law Lee Poh, Chairlady of YAST Group, officially released her 4th book during the opening ceremony.
Presenting the inaugural copy of the book Life Senses to the Premier, Madam Esther reaffirmed YAST Group’s commitment to knowledge sharing and fostering a culture of continuous learning.
Commitment to the Future
Through its strategic involvement in the ASEAN Sarawak Business & Economic Forum 2026, YAST Group has solidified its position as a catalyst for “REAL Leadership.”
We remain dedicated to bridging the gap between public policy and private sector execution, ensuring that the businesses and communities we touch are prepared to compete and succeed on a global scale.
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the KSI Strategic Institute, our global partners, and the Sarawak government for a successful and transformative forum.
For more insights into our initiatives and partnerships, follow our updates on Facebook and the Sarawak Tribune.
Related info (external sources):
- KSI Strategic Institute for Asia Pacific
- (Borneo Post) Sarawak set to play pivotal role in Asean renewable energy, digital innovation, says business club president
(Suara Sarawak) Penyulut Orang Gawa Perintah Dibasa - Unit Komunikasi Awam Sarawak (UKAS)
Cats Around The World to Promote Kuching and Sarawak
22nd JULY, 2022 – A Memorandum of Understanding has been signed between YAST Group and Farley Group, to promote Kuching
and Sarawak to the world through Cats Around The World events.
Cats Around The World will be held at Farley Mall Kuching from 20th Nov to 22nd Nov in conjunction with the 25th Miss Tourism
International (MTI) World Final 2022/2023*.
The MoU signing is part of series of activities prior to the 25th Miss Tourism International (MTI) World Final 2022/2023 organized by
YAST Group and D’Touch International (MTI brand owner).
* The 25th Miss Tourism International World Final 2022/2023 is one of the home grown major international beauty pageants. The
18-days event will be held in Kuching from 10th to 27th November. Themed “Bringing the World to Sarawak”, beauty queens from
about 60 countries will come here for the World Final.
Welcoming Speech by Madam Esther Law Lee Poh
Madam Esther Law Lee Poh, Founder and Chairlady of YAST Group, greeted the audience with a “Meow”, representing the sound of a
cat (kucing)*. As an anak Sarawak who wishes to contribute back to her homeland, Madam Esther Law, a portfolio entrepreneur,
initiated this Cats Around the World brand which is align to her wishes of “Bringing the World to Sarawak, and Bringing
Sarawak to the World“.
* The purpose of Cats Around The World event is to promote Kuching, Sarawak. The representative mascot of Kuching is a cat,
and the Malay word for cat is “kucing”, which is homophonic with “Kuching”.
Madam Esther Law also shared with audience a sneak preview of Digital Cat Palace, formulated by YASTECH, a subsidiary of YAST Group,
which is to be further announced soon.
Datuk Sebastian Ting Chiew Yew, the Deputy Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts, shared his views and comments
before the signing ceremony. He noted the virtual gallery planned for the Cats Around the World event is also in line with the Premier Datuk
Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg’s vision to digitalize Sarawak.
“For us in the ministry, we are very supportive. This Miss Tourism International event involves tourism with 60 beauty queens coming here
and there will be people coming to witness the event as well. Secondly, it will be promoting our cultures and, of course, it is also promoting
our creative industry,” he said.
MoU Signing Between YAST Group and Farley Group
The signing of the MoU is witnessed by the Deputy Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts of Sarawak,
YB Datuk Sebastian Ting Chiew Yew.
Official Partnership Certificate
About Cats Around the World
Cats Around the World is a brand and ecosystem that is part of the effort to bring the world to Sarawak and bring Sarawak to the world,
besides 25th Miss Tourism International World Final 2022/2023.
Strategically putting together beauty queens and the cats from 60 countries , we have the moments of beauty queens and cats from
around the world.
On Sarawak Day, 22 July 2022, we witnessed the MoU signing between YAST Group and Farley Group, to further extend the branding
effect through Cats Fespo (Festival+Expo), the first of its kind cats related event in the world that happens alongside a global beauty
pageant event.
Media
Sin Chew Daily
Borneo Post
The Star
Miss Tourism International 2022 Launching at Kuching, Sarawak
Official Launching Ceremony of 25th Miss Tourism International World Final 2022/2023
President & Owner of Miss Tourism International: Tan Sri Datuk Danny Ooi
Main Organizer: YAST Group
Organizing Chairlady: Esther Law Lee Poh
Welcoming Speech by Esther Law Lee Poh
2022 2 22 2pm
Guest of Honor, YB Dato Sri Abdul Karim Hamzah, Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts and Minister for Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development,
YBhg Datu Haji Junaidi bin Haji Reduan (Mayor of Kuching North),
Dato Wee Hong Seng (Mayor of Kuching South City Council)
Tan Sri Datuk Danny Ooi, President of Miss Tourism International,
Mr. Hii Chang Kee Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Sarawak,
Our 3 Gorgeous Miss Malaysia Tourism,
Distinguished Guests, Members of the Media, Ladies and Gentlemen
Welcome to the launching ceremony of the 25th Miss Tourism International 2022.
It is indeed my honour and privilege to be blessed with the opportunity to act as the OC for this meaningful, international event that is to be held in my homeland, Kuching.
The 25th Anniversary, or the Silver Jubilee of Miss Tourism International, indicates Miss Tourism International’s strong and durable foundation—a remarkable milestone that validates the hard work and persistency of the man who established Miss Tourism International and that is none other than our respected Tan Sri Datuk Danny Ooi; a man that successfully created a platform for woman with REAL dreams.
I am deeply moved and driven by Tan Sri’s dedication for he has been crafting this unique platform that empowers women to advocate for the value of Friendship and Culture through Tourism.
Through this platform, women with not only beauty but wisdom and friendliness can no doubt present themselves and lead internationally through a series of sustainable activities subsequently introduced over the past 25 years.
This year, we aim to introduce a range of engaging and thrilling activities by riding upon the rich heritage Sarawak is well-known for, by focusing on People, Prosperity, and Partnership, with a touch of digitalization to bring the world to Sarawak. Several remarkable activities will be initiated consequently throughout the year as we count down to our Grand Finale in November. A pre-event and post-event line up that is going to bring sustainable development to the world as a whole.
It was honestly beyond my expectation to be entrusted with this honour to organize this event as it was merely through a casual phone call between Tan Sri Datuk Danny Ooi and I that marked the start of our journey of bringing the world to Sarawak. I can still remember Tan Sri said, “Esther, you may want to consider leading to organize this event in Kuching”, I responded, “why not?”. A series of deep thought and conversation followed, and official agreements were signed on the 11th days after our conversation. The decision was reached on the basis that Miss Tourism International theme is coherent to YAST Group’s approach, where we invest for prosperity, develop for sustainability, and serve for humanity.
I told Tan Sri, we are ready for this special event, as we are fully prepared with the funding and resources to make it one of the grandest events in Kuching, Sarawak.
Not only that, this is also one of my good friends’ brand and event, hence, bringing this prestigious event back to Kuching, Sarawak, I believe, would mean a lot to this amazing friend of mine.
As Anak Sarawak I will strive to make this event a memorable and impactful one as I am confident that this event will not only be able to benefit the participating delegates, but this event will set forth a ripple effect which is capable of transferring the benefits from one to another and achieving an all-rounded and long-lasting impact that shall persist even after the end of Miss Tourism International 2022.
To all the merchants, service providers and related stakeholders, this is something we can do to restore life and the vibrant energy back into our economy, tourism sector and commercial industry especially after the pandemic.
To all Sarawakians, this is once again an opportunity to welcome the world to our rich heritage and cultural resources that we, as anak Sarawak could, can and will forever be proud of.
I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to Tan Sri for entrusting me as the Organising Chairlady. Thank you Tan Sri for your trust in me.
Thanks to our Advisor, YB Dato Sri Abdul Karim for your presence today as our Guest of Honor
YB Dato Sri Abdul Karim is indeed a very dedicated and caring leader for our Sarawakian community.
To Our Mayors , YBhg Datu Haji Junaidi and Dato Wee Hong Seng , appreciate your presence, and the support rendered to us.
To Mr. Hii, thank you so much for guiding us in moving forwards.
To our 3 gorgeous Miss Tourism Malaysia, Datin Emelia Rosnaida, Miss Xandria Ban，Miss How Zo Ee ，thank you very much for your presence here today,
To my team members under YAST Group, YASTECH DEVELOPMENT YASTECH Digital Solutions, YASTART, EXE HEALTHCARE Development, YAST CSR, Esther Law Productions;
To our Quantum Metal’s staffs and consultants, to my hubby Jeffrey and my daughter , Natasha, thank you for your support since the very beginning.
Last but definitely not the least, to everyone present here today, thank you so much for being here with us as we begin to embark on our journey towards the Grand Finale of Miss Tourism International 2022.
Thank you Terima Kasih 谢谢
MTI Pageant Non-Fungible Token (NFT)
In conjunction with the launching event, MTI founder Tan Sri Datuk Danny Ooi also announced the implementation of MTI Pageant NFT and setup of MTI Pageant Foundation, with the aim to empower beauty pageant entrepreneurs. Powered by YASTECH, MTI Pageant NFTs will be first-of-its-kind in the world.
Media Coverage
The Borneo Post – Sarawak to host 25th Miss Tourism International 2022 World Final
Sarawak Tuan Rumah Pusingan Akhir Dunia Miss Tourism International Ke-25
Photo gallery in Google Photos:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/bMSzAW9kc2p8sLDe9