1. Pertama sekali, saya ingin mengucapkan setinggi-tinggi tahniah kepada semua para graduan yang telah berjaya diterima masuk ke dalam Program Kepimpinan investED, or the Leadership Programme.
2. Sebagai kumpulan pertama seramai 200 pelatih perintis atau Kohort pertama dalam program ini, saya percaya saat ini akan menjadi satu detik penting untuk anda semua. Ini memandangkan proses pemilihan yang ketat yang telah anda lalui dan kejayaan setakat ini merupakan sesuatu yang boleh dibanggakan.
3. investED adalah satu initiatif antara Suruhanjaya Sekuriti Malaysia (SC), Kementerian Kewangan, Kementerian Pengajian Tinggi dan SIDC. Objektif utamanya adalah untuk mengurangkan jurang yang wujud antara kemampuan graduan yang dihasilkan oleh universiti dan kemampuan yang diperlukan oleh pasaran modal, dengan melengkapkan pelajar dengan kemahiran lebih praktikal untuk meningkatkan kebolehpasaran mereka. Pelancaran Leadership Programme pada hari ini merupakan satu langkah penting kehadapan sejak pelancaran investED oleh YAB Perdana Menteri dua bulan yang lalu.
   
   Ladies and Gentlemen, 
   
4. I would also like to congratulate the Asia School of Business, or ASB, for being selected as a partner for the investED Leadership Programme. ASB's reputation for providing top-notch business education makes it an ideal collaborator for this initiative.
5. ASB’s expertise and cutting-edge resources will undoubtedly enhance the learning experience for the participants, ensuring they receive a comprehensive understanding of the capital market and its intricacies. This partnership further strengthens the programme's credibility and reinforces our commitment to providing students with the best training they need in order to succeed.
6. To the class of the first cohort, today, as you start this journey, I would like to share some personal advice as a father figure, who has been through a similar experience when I was young. I too joined the financial sector from the university in 1985. I was a bit older than you all today, but the challenges and opportunities can be the same, then and now. I was a young lecturer before I joined Bank Negara, but like you I didn’t have much practical knowledge about the financial market.
7. Let me say to you all, this will not be an easy journey for many of you. It will not be a walk in the park. The world of finance and the capital market can be demanding, but it is also very rewarding. It can be very tough initially, but will get better and easier with time, as you become more familiar with it.
8. But one thing for sure, "There is no substitute for hard work!". I believe this holds true for anyone who wants to work in the capital market. Hard work, dedication, and a willingness to continuously learn and adapt are essential ingredients for success in this ever-evolving industry. From my own experience, hard work, good attitude, perseverance, and patience are the most important factors for success.
9. In life, you must be patient and, most importantly, not to look for shortcuts in trying to get higher salaries and quicker promotions. Taking shortcuts may provide quicker gains, but they often come with long-term setbacks. After all you are all very young and have many years in front of you. All of you will be successful one day, and many will be doing different things from what you started out after graduation. However, for now, you should focus on building a strong foundation of knowledge and skills and be open to the idea of continuous improvement. Remember, success in the capital market, or in life, is a marathon, not a sprint. With patience and loyalty to the organisation, you will be more successful in the long run.
10. At the same time, this does not mean you cannot enjoy the journey. Embrace the challenges and even setbacks, as opportunities for growth and learning. Celebrate the small wins along the way and find joy in getting better every day. Remember, it's not just about reaching the destination; it's also about enjoying the journey and making meaningful connections with others in the industry. So, seize the moment and enjoy the challenges that await you in the Leadership Programme. Rest assured, you will be amazed at what you can achieve in the next seven months. As they say, "The greater the obstacle, the more glory there is in overcoming it."
11. With the help of the experts here at the ASB, my hope for the graduates is that they will gain valuable skills and knowledge to help them get ahead of their graduating peers. My hope is also for the ASB to develop in them strong leadership qualities, good work attitude, effective communication skills, and some basic understanding of the industry. And the capital market industry now badly requires injection of new blood both as employees as well as young investors.
12. I understand that in the stockbroking industry, most of the remisiers are 50 years old and above. One worries about its future if young people are not attracted to the industry. Similarly, we need more young people to invest in the capital market to ensure it remains exciting and bullish. So far investors in the stock market in the age category below 45 years old constitute only 7% of the total investors. For those between the age of 20 to 30 years old, the true young investors, the number must be very small.
13. We therefore need young, smart executives to attract young investors. They are more technology savvy and they understand each other better.
14. I hope ASB can also teach some marketing techniques to our students, as well as social skills so they can have self confidence in order to be young “ambassadors” of the capital market.
15. To all the students here today, I hope you can become ambassadors not only for the capital market, but serve as models for future investED cohorts. Not only will you have the knowledge to educate others about the importance of the capital market, but you will also be better informed to guide your own financial decisions to save and invest for the future.
16. Today, in any industry, innovation is key. So stay curious, be open to new ideas, seek out opportunities to push boundaries, challenge status quo and create positive change. Remember, leadership is not about being the smartest person in the room. It is about fostering a collaborative and inclusive environment.
    
    Ladies and gentlemen,
    
    
17. We are indeed happy to see our investED programme is progressing well. It’s a 3-year programme and I am sure the impact will be felt much more in the years to come. As additional efforts to strengthen collaboration between universities and the capital market industry, I am happy to announce on behalf of the stockbroking industry, Association of Stockbroking Companies Malaysia (ASCM) and MIBA, that their companies have agreed to introduce an adoption scheme, where each company adopts a university, to plan and work with students and lecturers to promote greater understanding and appreciation of the capital market. For instance, the company can assist lecturers to design and construct a relevant course, related to the capital market, to be taught to students in the university.
18. Another possibility is for the company to assist students to establish investing clubs to promote greater awareness on investment opportunities in the capital market. These efforts will enrich students’ learning experience and expose them early to the workings of the capital market – along the way enhance their employability and reduce their vulnerabilities to financial scams which are abound these days.
19. I hope the Ministry of Higher Education and universities will be receptive to this novel idea. I am sure this is very much in line with the wishes of our Prime Minister and Minister of Higher Education to see greater collaborative efforts between university and industry. The proposed adoption scheme will add a new dimension to this collaboration.
    
    Ladies and gentlemen,
20. In closing, I would like to give another piece of advice to our participants. Throughout this Leadership programme, do lean on each other for support. The bonding and friendship you form with your fellow cohorts during this journey will become invaluable networks throughout your career.
21. Indeed, collaboration and teamwork are integral to success in the capital market, and together, you can achieve greater heights. As you progress in your careers, always remember the impact that this Leadership Programme has had on you. Pay it forward by nurturing the next generation of aspiring leaders and contributing to the growth and development of the capital market.
22. All the best in your journey!
    
    

Sekian, terima kasih and thank you.