Cover The Tatler Most Influential 2025 list features 100 leaders from or based in Malaysia, including Hann Yeoh of YTL Power International Berhad; national badminton player Pearly Tan; Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim, prime minister of Malaysia; national badminton player Thinaah Muralitharan and Ernest Zacharevic of Cultprint (Photo: Raphael Quaison)
The Tatler Most Influential 2025 list features 100 leaders from or based in Malaysia, including Hann Yeoh of YTL Power International Berhad; national badminton player Pearly Tan; Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim, prime minister of Malaysia; national badminton player Thinaah Muralitharan and Ernest Zacharevic of Cultprint (Photo: Raphael Quaison)
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From executives shaping finance to artists, the Tatler Most Influential 2025 honourees from Malaysia hail from diverse backgrounds
Malaysia is entering a new era of innovation and enterprise. With its deep cultural diversity and growing pool of creative and business talent, the country is increasingly recognised as one of Southeast Asia’s most dynamic economies.
According to recent estimates, Malaysia is home to more than 24,000 startups, with the MYStartup and Startup Genome estimating over 3,000 active ventures. The government’s Malaysia Startup Ecosystem Roadmap (Super 2021–2030) has targeted 5,000 new startups by 2025, reflecting national ambitions to foster a thriving innovation landscape.
At the launch of the DisruptInvest Summit in Kuala Lumpur earlier this year, Minister of Digital YB Gobind Singh Deo revealed that Malaysia’s startup ecosystem is now valued at US$46 billion. Entrepreneurs and investors are active in diverse sectors including fintech, health tech and Islamic finance, signalling a vibrant and fast-evolving digital economy.
Above Dr Angelina Tiah, CEO & Chief Scientist of 23 Century Medical Group, advancing cellular therapies that restore sight and set new standards in regenerative healthcare (Photo: Fady Younis)
Above Hann Yeoh, Executive Director of YTL Power International, a third‑generation leader driving AI‑powered banking and transformative digital infrastructure (Photo: YTL Power)
Dr Angelina Tiah, CEO & Chief Scientist of 23 Century Medical Group, advancing cellular therapies that restore sight and set new standards in regenerative healthcare (Photo: Fady Younis)
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Malaysia’s business and cultural landscape is as diverse as its heritage. This year’s Tatler Most Influential list highlights leaders across established industries, family-owned legacy businesses, fast-growing startups and creative ventures, reflecting a broad conception of influence.
See also: Tatler Most Influential 2025: meet Asia’s most impactful changemakers
Among this year’s honourees is Dr Angelina Tiah, CEO and Chief Scientist of 23 Century Medical Group, whose pioneering stem cell therapy has helped restore sight for patients with retinitis pigmentosa, positioning Malaysia at the forefront of regenerative medicine. In the arts, Ernest Zacharevic, co-founder of Cultprint, has transformed public spaces through socially conscious murals that address the rights and recognition of artists.
Tan Bee Lee, a veteran sign language interpreter for Radio Televisyen Malaysia, has spent decades bridging the deaf and hearing communities and championing accessibility across public platforms. Hann Yeoh, Executive Director of YTL Power International Berhad, is leading efforts to integrate artificial intelligence and green infrastructure through projects such as Ryt Bank and the YTL Green Data Center Park in Johor.
Meet the rest of the Malaysia honourees on the Tatler Most Influential 2025
Above Ernest Zacharevic, artist celebrated for immersive murals and his advocacy for creative rights in public art (Photo: Paulius Staniūnas)
Above Tan Bee Lee, veteran Malaysian sign‑language interpreter whose career has quietly transformed accessibility for the deaf community (Photo: Fady Younis)
Ernest Zacharevic, artist celebrated for immersive murals and his advocacy for creative rights in public art (Photo: Paulius Staniūnas)
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These honourees reflect the range of leadership shaping Malaysia today, where legacy, innovation and social responsibility coexist. Their inclusion in Tatler Most Influential 2025 celebrates not only personal achievement but also the country’s broader evolution into a hub of creativity, technology and civic impact.
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The 100 Malaysian honourees were evaluated according to Tatler’s four criteria: impact, relevance, longevity and leadership. Each has demonstrated influence that extends well beyond their field, contributing to Malaysia’s growing role on the global stage.
Previously known as Asia’s Most Influential, the rebranded list now connects honourees across three levels: the local market, the broader continent, and the global stage. This framework opens doors to regional networks and cross-border collaborations, further amplifying the impact of those featured.
Discover the full list of Tatler Most Influential 2025
