SEA Conference 2026

Theme

Sustaining Digital Growth with Circular Water Solutions

Organised by
The Malaysian water Association (MWA)

As Malaysia and the region continue to expanding data centres and semiconductormanufacturing, critical drivers of economic growth and digital transformation, it is equally important to ensure that water resources are managed responsibly and efficiently. This theme aims to highlight how high-growth industries can co-exist sustainably with sound water governance through circular water practices, advanced treatment technologies, reuse strategies and collaborative planning. SEA 2026 seeks to position data centres and semiconductor facilities not as competing demands on water resources, but as progressive, responsible industries that adopt best practices and contribute positively to national sustainability goals. Be part of SEA Conference 2026 where industry leaders converge to shape a greener future. The event will offer a comprehensive overview of ongoing initiatives, policy directions and innovative solutions that address environmental challenges while supporting industrial and economic development in the region.

CONFERENCE REGISTRATION FEES

*All prices listed in inclusive of 8% sst.

REGISTRATION CATEGORIES

Early Bird Rate
(Until 10 August 2026)

NORMAL RATE
(Form 11 August 2026)

MWA Members & Government Agencies

RM 972.00 / pax

RM 1,188.00 / pax

Non - Member & International

RM 1,296.00 / pax

RM 1,512.00 / pax

3%

DISCOUNT

FOR REGISTRATION OF THREE (3) OR MORE DELEGATES

HRDC Claimable

CONFERENCE REGISTRATION FEES

*All prices listed in inclusive of 8% sst.

REGISTRATION CATEGORIES

MWA Members & Government Agencies

Early Bird Rate
(Until 10 August 2026)

NORMAL RATE
(Form 11 August 2026)

RM 972.00 / pax

RM 1,188.00 / pax

Non - Member & International

Early Bird Rate
(Until 10 August 2026)

NORMAL RATE
(Form 11 August 2026)

RM 1,296.00 / pax

RM 1,512.00 / pax

3%

DISCOUNT

FOR REGISTRATION OF THREE (3) OR MORE DELEGATES

HRDC Claimable

DAY 1: 27 AUGUST 2026 (THURSDAY)

8:30 AM – 9:00 AM

Registration and Arrival of Delegates

9:15 AM - 9:30 AM

Announcing the Arrival of the Guest of Honour
YAB Datuk Amar Haji Fadillah bin Haji Yusof
Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister of Energy Transition and Water Transformation (PETRA)

Malaysia National Anthem – Negaraku
Doa Recitation

SPEECHES & OFFICIAL OPENING

9:30 AM – 9:40 AM

Welcome Remarks
Ms. Karen Goi
Project Director, Derrisen Sdn Bhd

9:40 AM – 9:50 AM

Opening Address
Mr. Mohamad Hairi bin Basri
President, The Malaysian Water Association (MWA)

9:50 AM – 10:10 AM

Special Address and Launching of SEA 2026
YAB Datuk Amar Haji Fadillah bin Haji Yusof
Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister of Energy Transition and Water Transformation (PETRA)

10:10 AM – 10:15 AM

Ceremonial Opening

10:15 AM – 10:25 AM

Presentation of Token of Appreciation at SEA Conference 2026

10:25 AM – 10:30 AM

Photo Opportunities

10:30 AM – 10:55 AM

VIP Tour at SEA 2026 / Morning Coffee Break

KEYNOTE ADDRESS 1

11:00 AM – 11:25 AM
(25 mins.)

Topic:
Eco-Shift Governance: Overcoming Geopolitical and Inter-State Jurisdictional Barriers for Transboundary Watershed Protection

Speaker:
Prof. Emeritus Dato’ Seri Ir. Dr. Zaini Ujang
Chairman of the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA), Professor Emeritus (UTM) and former Secretary-General of five ministries (including the Ministry of Environment and Water)

KEYNOTE ADDRESS 2

11:30 AM – 11:55 AM
(25 mins.)

Topic:
Financing National Water Security: Mobilising Malaysia’s First Blue Finance and Sustainable Sukuk Framework

Message Focus:
Insights into how PAAB’s progressive Sustainable Islamic Finance Framework can be actively leveraged to securitise national water assets and how state-level operators can utilise sustainable bonds/sukuk to fund capitalintensive circular projects, such as dedicated industrial greywater networks and zero-potable utility systems.

Speaker:
YBhg. Dato’ Seri Ir. Jaseni bin Maidinsa
Chairman, Pengurusan Aset Air Berhad (PAAB)

SESSION 1
Sustainable Transition and Green Financing Incentives

Moderator:
Dato’ Ir. Dr. Lim Chow Hock
Fellow, Academy of Sciences Malaysia, Malaysian Capacity Development Network for Sustainable Water Management (MyCDNet)

12:00 PM – 12:20 PM,
(20 mins. Including Q&A)

Topic:
Blue Finance: A Strategic Enabler of Malaysia’s Net Zero Ambition

Message Focus:
Unlocking Blue & Transition Capital: Using blue bonds, Sustainable, Transition and Green Finance Incentives to fund water, security, NRW reduction and water resilience projects; Structuring Bankable Water Assets; Using sustainable finance to bridge the funding gap for water treatment, recycling and wastewater projects.

Speaker:
Marlin Faroque Head,
Group Sustainable Finance, RHB Bank Berhad

12:20 PM – 12:40 PM
(20 mins. including Q&A)

Topic:
Government Incentives and Facilitation for Green Investments.

Message Focus:
Insights into MIDA’s current and upcoming tax incentives, green investment grants and facilitation frameworks designed to encourage utilities, heavy industries and tech operators to invest in closedloop systems, alternative water sourcing and energy efficient infrastructure.

Speaker:
Mr. Pravinganesha Rajoo
Deputy Director of the Sustainability Division, Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA)

12:40 PM – 1:00 PM
(20 mins. including Q&A)

Topic:
From Compliance to Competitiveness: How Industry Can Lead the Circular Economy Transition

Message Focus: Insights into how CIDB frameworks, green building mandates and sustainable construction codes can guide developers and contractors to shift from baseline regulatory compliance to a competitive market advantage. The session will explore practical execution pathways, including utilising industrial-grade alternative water systems, on-site rainwater retention structures and circular material procurement within industrial megaprojects.

Speaker:
Mr. Suhaimi Mansor S.M.P.
Deputy Chief Executive (Development), CIDB Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) Malaysia

1:00 PM – 2:00 PM

Networking Lunch

SESSION 2
Water Security, Industrial and Infrastructure Integration

Moderator:
YBhg. Dato’ Ir. Dr. Lim Chow Hock
Fellow, Academy of Sciences Malaysia, Malaysian Capacity Development Network for Sustainable Water Management (MyCDNet)

2:05 PM – 2:25 PM
(20 mins. including Q&A)

Topic:
AI and Data Driven Operational Strategy for Water Cost Optimisation and Resilience in Industries

Core Focus:
AI and data-driven operational strategy designed to optimise water cost efficiency and strengthen resilience across industrial operations. By integrating real-time sensor networks, facilities can shift from reactive to predictive water management — reducing waste, cutting costs and maintaining continuity during supply disruptions. Industries will be positioned to achieve sustainable cost reduction while building long- term supply resilience.

Speaker:
Mr. Carson Soh
Business Development Manager – Energy Efficiency, Siemens Malaysia

2:30 PM – 2:50 PM
(20 mins. including Q&A)

Topic:
Closing the Infrastructure Gap: Circular Approaches to Water and Wastewater Systems in the Philippines

Core Focus:
An operational and strategic examination of how circular models can accelerate infrastructure development and reduce utility vulnerability. Drawing from the Philippine experience, the presentation will focus on the practical deployment of advanced wastewater treatment, centralised and decentralised reclamation loops and nature-based solutions to build climateinsulated utility networks that can support rapid economic and tech-sector growth.

Speaker: Dr. Dickson San Juan
Vice President for National Affairs, Philippine Water Works Association (PWWA)

2:55 PM – 3:15 PM
(20 mins. including Q&A)

Topic:
Sanitation – What’s Next? Optimising the Loop: Modernising Legacy Sewerage Infrastructure to Support Circular Economy Ventures

Message Focus:
This presentation will cover the past, present and future sewerage practices and development – by sharing real experiences and charting the path towards sustainable sewerage infrastructure development for a beneficial social, business and environmental solution progressing into the future. The speaker will share local and international experiences leading towards potential circular economy ventures advocating for a well thought and planned direction to achieve economies of scale in infrastructure, operations and environmental gains. Ideas related to focussed downstream products propagating on potential business and returns are shared to keep sewerage relevant and sustainable. Following the holistic water cycle – an integrated circular water scenario utilising digital solutions are recommended to be accelerated for infrastructure optimisation, increased operations efficiency and sustainable business proposition moving into the next phase of sewerage evolution. Past and present experiences observed today will be relevant and beneficial to set the tone of the water and sewerage industry progression into the next era of development.

Speaker:
Ir. Ts. Hj. Mohamed Haniffa Hj. Abdul Hamid
Senior Advisor (Technology & Innovation), Minconsult Sdn Bhd

SESSION 3
Driving Innovation for a Sustainable Circular Economy

Moderator:
Ir. Ts. Hj. Mohamed Haniffa Hj. Abdul Hamid
Senior Advisor (Technology & Innovation), Minconsult Sdn Bhd

3:20 PM – 3:40 PM
(20 mins. including Q&A)

Topic:
Successful IWK Resource Recovery Pilot Project Case Studies

Message Focus:
Show how IWK’s successful pilot projects demonstrate the real-world value of resource recovery, turning wastewater into reusable water and other valuable outputs that support circular economy goals, operational efficiency and sustainable urban resilience.

Speaker: Ir. Hj. Mohd Taufik Salleh
Chief Operating Officer, Indah Water Konsortium Sdn Bhd

3:45 PM – 4:05 PM
(20 mins. including Q&A)

Topic:
The Next Water Challenge: A Collaborative Approach to Climate Resilience and Real-World Solutions – How Singapore, Malaysia and Southeast Asia Can Accelerate the Transition from Innovation to Implementation

Message Focus:
Singapore’s experience in integrating advanced water recycling, desalination, digital monitoring and circular resource management offers practical, scalable models for ASEAN countries facing rising water stress and rapid urbanisation. This presentation will highlight how innovation-driven policies, technology adoption and cross-sector partnerships can accelerate sustainable growth and strengthen regional water security.

Speaker:
Mr. Michael Toh
Managing Director, Singapore Water Association (SWA)

4:10 PM– 4:30 PM
(20 mins. including Q&A)

Topic:
How AI Demand is reshaping data centre design in Tropical Asia

Message Focus:
Share how AI demand is reshaping data centre design in tropical Asia. Real decisions, real trade-offs and the lessons Bridge Data Centres has taken from building across some of the region’s most demanding markets. A session grounded in delivery.

Speaker:
Mr. Nick Ning
Vice President, Data Centre Solutions, Bridge Data Centres

4:35 PM – 5:00 PM

Refreshment / End of Day 1 of SEA Conference 2026

6:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Networking Night

DAY 2: 28 AUGUST 2026 (FRIDAY)

SESSION 4
REGIONAL REGULATORY PERSPECTIVES

Moderator:
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Norhayati Abdullah
Universiti Teknologi Malaysia / Council Member of The Malaysian Water Association (MWA)

9:00 AM – 9:20 AM
(20 mins. including Q&A)

Topic:
Enforcing the Guardrails: SPAN’s Regulatory Guidelines on Alternative Sourcing and Zero- Potable Water Design for Hyperscale Infrastructure

Message Focus: Unveiling and discussing SPAN’s regulatory compliance frameworks aimed at monitoring data centre intake profiles. The presentation will address mandatory water reserve capacities, distinct “brown pipe” industrial greywater tracking, alternative water sourcing parameters and the structural policies required to protect public municipal drinking water lines from commercial over-exhaustion.

Speaker: Ir. Lee Chin Shyan
Senior Director, Standard Technical & Compliance Section, Suruhanjaya Perkhidmatan Air Negara (SPAN)

9:25 AM – 9:45 AM
(20 mins. including Q&A)

Topic:
Sustaining Tomorrow: Maynilad’s Approach to the Circular Economy and Water Security.

Message Focus:
In this session, Maynilad Water Services, Inc. will highlight their experience as the Philippines’ largest water concessionaire, detailing the key challenges faced and the strategic circular solutions they are implementing to ensure long-term water resilience.

Speaker: Mr. Fahruddin “Wawi” Tago
Head, Business Development Division, Maynilad Water Services, Inc.

SESSION 5
CROSS-SECTOR STAKEHOLDERS ROUNDTABLE
“Balancing the Demands of Digital Growth, Public Utilities and Regional Water Security”

9:50 AM– 10:40 AM
(50 mins. including Q&A)

Message Focus:
A high-level, cross-sectoral discussion among industrial stakeholder leaders on the challenges and opportunities for accelerating the circular economy in Malaysia. This is the capstone event of the conference

Moderator:
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Norhayati Abdullah
Universiti Teknologi Malaysia / Council Member, MWA

Panellists:
• Ir. Lee Chin Shyan
Senior Director, Standard Technical & Compliance Section, Suruhanjaya Perkhidmatan Air Negara (SPAN)
• Ir .Ts. Dr. Nurul Sa’dah binti Bahar
Head of Operation, Production Department, Pengurusan Air Selangor Sdn Bhd
• Mr. Fahruddin “Wawi” Tago
Head, Business Development Division, Maynilad Water Services, Inc.
• Mr. Gunalan Kaniasan
Principal, Water Resources APJC Amazon Web Services (AWS), Singapore

10: 40 AM – 11:00 AM

Morning Coffee Break

SESSION 6
Data Centre Circular Economy, Challenges and Solutions

Moderator:
Mr. Mohamad Hairi bin Basri
President, The Malaysian Water Association (MWA)

11:05 AM – 11:25 AM
(20 mins. including Q&A)

Topic:
Reclaimed Water Supply Chains: Supporting Data Centres through Water Circularity

Message Focus: Insights into the operational, financial and technical logistics of building dedicated, large-scale industrial reclaimed water distribution networks. The presentation will cover how Air Selangor is strategically partnering with hyperscale data centres and heavy industries to substitute potable water usage with high-grade industrial effluent, thereby freeing up municipal capacity, mitigating supply chain risks and embedding true water circularity into the state’s economic infrastructure.

Speaker: Ir. Hj. Ainul Azhar b Mohd Jemoner
Head of Department, Pengurusan Air Selangor Sdn Bhd

11:30 AM – 11:50 AM
(20 mins. including Q&A)

Topic:
Data Centre Circular Economy: What Global Hyperscalers Are Committing To – and What They Need from Malaysia

Message Focus: Insights into how global tech leaders design lowWater Usage Effectiveness (WUE) cooling systems and implement advanced circular water loops. The session will highlight what hyperscalers require from local water authorities and state governments to scale these initiatives – such as ready access to industrial-grade reclaimed effluent, clear regulatory pathways for non-potable water reuse and robust utility partnerships that protect municipal drinking water resources while supporting digital growth.

Speaker: Mr. Gunalan Kaniasan
Principal, Water Resources APJC, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Singapore

CONFERENCE WRAP UP & CLOSING REMARKS

11:50 AM – 12:00 PM

Summary of the key outcomes and action points from the conference, including the presentation of the SEA 2026 Action Plan for a Circular Economy.

12:30 PM – 2:00 PM

Networking Lunch / End of SEA Conference 2026

Note: Speakers and topics are subject to confirmation and may change.

For enquiries, please contact MWA Secretariat:

Mr. Hafis (Registration & Enquiries)

Mr. Amir (Invoice & Payment)

MEET THE SPEAKERS

dAY 1

Dr. Dickson San Juan

Vice President

National Affairs, Philippine Water Works Association (PWWA)

Ir Ts Dr Nurul Sadah binti Bahar

Head of Operation

Production Department, Pengurusan Air Selangor Sdn Bhd

Ir. Hj. Mohd Taufik Salleh

Chief Operating Officer

Indah Water Konsortium Sdn Bhd

Ir. Lee Chin Shyan

Senior Director

Standard Technical & Compliance Section, Suruhanjaya Perkhidmatan Air Negara (SPAN)

Ir. Ts. Hj. Mohamed Haniffa Hj. Abdul Hamid

Senior Advisor

(Technology & Innovation), Minconsult Sdn Bhd

Mr. Afzanil Md Anuar

Mr. Lye Yit Tho

Mr. Michael Toh

Managing Director

Singapore Water Association (SWA)

Mr. Carson Soh

Business Development Manager

Energy Efficiency, Siemens Malaysia

Mr. Pravinganesha Rajoo

Deputy Director of the Sustainability Division

Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA)

Mr. Suhaimi Mansor S.M.P

Deputy Chief Executive (Development)

CIDB Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) Malaysia

Mr. Nick Ning

Vice President

Data Centre Solutions, Bridge Data Centres

Pn. Marlin Fairol Mohd Faroque

Group Sustainable Finance

RHB Bank Berhad

Prof. Emeritus Dato’ Seri Ir. Dr. Zaini Ujang

Chairman of the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA), Professor Emeritus (UTM) and former Secretary-General of five ministries (including the Ministry of Environment and Water)