15 July 2025 | The Majestic Hotel Kuala Lumpur
When Voices Unite, Industries Transform
As Malaysia takes on the ASEAN Chairmanship in 2025, the region stands at a turning point. Global changes in trade, technology and talent are shaping how nations connect and grow.
Building on the success of its conferences in 2019 and 2023, Women in Rail Malaysia, together with YTL Construction, once again brought together leaders and innovators from across ASEAN and beyond to explore how rail can strengthen regional growth, resilience and talent.
Held at The Majestic Hotel Kuala Lumpur, the Women in Rail Malaysia Conference 2025 gathered more than 500 participants and 16 speakers from 8 countries. It was a powerful meeting of minds with one shared goal: to build a smarter and more connected future for Malaysia and the region.
Opening the Conversation
The day began with an opening address by Natasha Zulkifli, Founder Director of Women in Rail Malaysia.
“What you are seeing today is the heart, the soul and the future of Malaysia’s rail industry,” she said, welcoming a room filled with leaders, innovators, students and partners from across the region.
Natasha spoke about how far Women in Rail Malaysia has come since 2017. From a small volunteer network, it has grown into a movement of more than 700 members, reaching over 11,000 students and building partnerships across ASEAN and beyond.
She reminded the audience that as Malaysia leads ASEAN in 2025, rail must be seen not only as infrastructure but as an ecosystem that connects people, knowledge and opportunity. The real strength of the industry, she said, lies in its brainpower and in the courage to work together across different fields.
Natasha also shared that the Ministry of Transport is reviewing Women in Rail Malaysia’s proposal for the Rail Industry Skills and Education (RISE) Mandate, which would make talent development part of every major rail project.
Her words set the tone for the day. “We are not just building systems. We are building capability, confidence and character.”
After her address, Deovanni S. Miranda, General Manager of the Philippine National Railways, shared insights from the Philippines’ rail expansion through the Metro Manila Subway and North–South Commuter Railway. He spoke about collaboration and local ownership as the foundation for national strength.
Silvia Halim, formerly with the Nusantara Capital Authority, MRT Jakarta and Singapore’s Land Transport Authority, spoke about leadership and perseverance. She reminded the audience that leadership is not about position but about purpose, service and integrity.
Lessons from Across the Globe
The global perspective continued with Marie Daly, Chair of Women in Rail UK and Chief Operating Officer of Transport for Wales. She shared how inclusivity and mentorship are shaping a stronger and more adaptable rail industry in the United Kingdom.
From Japan, Keisuke Tanaka of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) discussed Japan’s partnerships across Asia, including Indonesia and the Philippines, which are helping to build local expertise and long-term collaboration.
Juan Guia Garcia, Economic and Commercial Counsellor at the Embassy of Spain in Kuala Lumpur, spoke about how Spain’s high-speed rail system has transformed its economy by creating opportunities in trade, tourism and technology.
Together, these speakers showed how nations are using rail to power economic growth and regional connection, offering lessons that are relevant for Malaysia and the wider ASEAN region.
Smarter Cities, Stronger Connections
The afternoon sessions focused on how technology and design are changing urban life.
In the session Rail, AI and Smart Cities, moderated by Anna Rellama (Arthur D. Little (Philippines)), speakers Mindy Lai (AtkinsRealis, Hong Kong), Zakirah Zulkipli (Hitachi Rail, Singapore), Ng Liang Chin (ST Engineering Urban Solutions, Singapore) and Lee Suan Ching (Siemens, Singapore) shared how automation, digital systems and data are helping cities move smarter and live better.
They agreed that the future of mobility depends on how well technology serves people and how different sectors work together to share knowledge and expertise.
The Workforce of Tomorrow
The conversation on the next generation took centre stage during the panel AI, Ambition and the Next Generation Workforce, moderated by Fang Qing Ling of Maxis Malaysia.
Panelists Norlida Azmi (Founder of Chapter Advisory Sdn Bhd), Caelystar Ng (Shell Scholar and UCLA Engineering student) and Bikesh Lakhmichand (Founder of 1337 Ventures) explored how artificial intelligence, automation and education are reshaping the world of work.
They spoke about preparing Malaysian youth for emerging industries while ensuring that everyone has the chance to grow. The session reminded the audience that progress happens when innovation and inclusion move together.
Malaysia’s Moment
Datuk Mohd Zarif Hashim, CEO of MRT Corp Malaysia, delivered a powerful session on Malaysia’s rail journey. He spoke about the need to move faster, work smarter and innovate boldly through projects such as MRT3, the Penang LRT and the RTS Link to Singapore. His message was one of unity and ambition — that Malaysia’s progress depends on the strength of its people and its partnerships.
Closing Keynote: Building the Future Through the RISE Mandate
The day ended with an inspiring keynote address by YB Anthony Loke Siew Fook, Minister of Transport Malaysia, marking his third consecutive appearance at the Women in Rail Malaysia Conference.
He began by congratulating Natasha Zulkifli and the Women in Rail Malaysia team for creating a platform that continues to raise the bar for the industry. He said the energy in the room was proof that the rail sector in Malaysia is ready to move forward with purpose and passion.
YB Anthony reflected on Malaysia’s position as ASEAN Chair and agreed that rail is no longer just infrastructure but a strategic enabler of national and regional resilience. He praised the conference for exploring this theme from every angle — from the transformation stories of the Philippines, Japan and the UK, to the power of AI, smart cities and human capital.
He spoke about Malaysia’s major projects now underway, including the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL), LRT3 (Shah Alam Line), Penang LRT, Johor Bahru ART, and the Kuching Urban Transportation System in Sarawak. These, he said, will shape the country’s future, but only if we have the people to power them.
Inspired by the conversations throughout the day, YB Anthony expressed his strong support for Women in Rail Malaysia’s proposal for the Rail Industry Skills and Education (RISE) Mandate, an initiative aimed at embedding talent development in all major rail projects.
Under this proposal, rail bidders will be given higher scores if they invest in people through scholarships, partnerships with TVET institutions, quality internships and structured industrial training. This approach, he said, reflects Malaysia’s commitment to building not just infrastructure, but human capital that is future-ready, inclusive and innovative.
YB Anthony also praised Women in Rail Malaysia for giving students complimentary seats and a voice on stage. He called it a visionary step that sets a new standard for inclusion and leadership.
“You are not just talking about the next generation,” he said. “You are empowering them.”
He turned to the students in the audience and said, “A career in rail is a career at the cutting edge of technology and nation-building. We are putting in place the policies to ensure there is a place for you in this future.”
As he closed, the Minister urged the audience to keep the momentum alive beyond the conference. “The era of building just tracks and stations is over,” he said. “With the RISE Mandate and with partners like Women in Rail Malaysia, we will now build talent. We will build careers. And together, we will build the future of Malaysia.”
Looking Ahead
The 2025 conference ended with a strong sense of purpose and pride. It reminded everyone that rail is not only about infrastructure but about people, ideas and opportunity.
As Malaysia leads ASEAN, Women in Rail Malaysia continues to champion a rail industry that is inclusive, innovative and ready for the future. With its partners and supporters, it will keep building the capability, confidence and character that will define Malaysia’s next generation of rail leaders.
Powered by Partnership
The Women in Rail Malaysia Conference 2025 was made possible through the support of its partners and sponsors.
Diamond Partners: Siemens Mobility Sdn Bhd, Huawei Technologies
Platinum Partner: Hitachi Rail
Institutional Partner: MRT Corp Malaysia
Knowledge Partner: Cur8 Malaysia Sdn Bhd
Airline Partners: Firefly, Malaysia Airlines
Supporting Partners: Blood, TREsemme, Knorr, Wardah and Silkygirl
Together with YTL Construction, our official partner, these organisations helped create a conference that brought together international experience and local ambition, proving that progress happens when collaboration and commitment come together.
