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Gallery Highlight Video Press Release

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Gallery Highlight Video Press Release

MALAYSIA GOLD CONFERENCE 2026

2-3 Feb 2026 | JW Marriot Hotel Kuala Lumpur

SPEAKERS

David Tait

Chief Executive Officer
World Gold Council

David Tait

Chief Executive Officer

World Gold Council

David Tait has been the Chief Executive Officer of the World Gold Council since 2019, bringing over 35 years of experience in global financial markets. Before joining the Council, he served as Managing Director and Global Head of Macro Products at Credit Suisse, leading major divisions across Interest Rates, FX, and Commodities. David has also held senior roles at Goldman Sachs and BlueCrest Capital.

Beyond finance, David is widely recognized for his humanitarian and leadership work. A passionate advocate for child protection, he has raised over £8 million for the NSPCC, climbed Mount Everest five times, and became the first person to complete its North–South traverse. For his outstanding charitable contributions, he was awarded an MBE by Queen Elizabeth II. His life story was portrayed in the film Sulphur & White (2020), with proceeds supporting the NSPCC.

Chirag Sheth

South Asia Principal Consultant
Metals Focus

Chirag Sheth

South Asia Principal Consultant

Metals Focus

Mr. Sheth has 14 years' experience in precious metals trading and research and has worked for UBS and Latin Manharial Commodities. He analyses the South Asia market, focusing on India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.

Handi Sutanto

Chief Commercial Officer
PT Aneka Tambang Tbk (ANTAM)

Handi Sutanto

Chief Commercial Officer

PT Aneka Tambang Tbk (ANTAM)

PT Aneka Tambang Tbk (ANTAM), member of Mining Industry Indonesia (MIND ID - Indonesia SOE's Holding Mining Industry), is a vertically integrated and diversified mining and metals company with operations spread across the mineral-rich Indonesian archipelago. ANTAM undertakes the mandate from the country for end-to-end mining activities from exploration, extraction, processing and sales of base metals (nickel, bauxite, ferronickel, alumina) and precious metals alongside the manifestation of ESG principles in every way of its business.

ANTAM is also Indonesia’s oldest and largest integrated precious metals producer, operating across the full gold value chain — from exploration and mining to refining, processing, minting and nationwide distribution – both physical and digital products. As the only LBMA-accredited Good Delivery refinery in Indonesia, ANTAM plays a central role in ensuring the integrity, transparency, and global acceptance of Indonesian gold as well as fuelling the nation’s bullion ecosystem demand which align with the Indonesia’s Asta Cita Number 5: continuing the downstreaming and industrialization to increase domestic value-added.

Handi has a combined 15+ years of experience in various fields including commercial, strategic transformation, accounting, taxation, auditing, financial reporting, budgeting and pension funds, Prior to joining ANTAM, he worked for a total of 10 years at both PwC Indonesia and US offices, specialising in mining and utilities industry and also the lead contributor of PwC Indonesia’s Mining Map and Mining Investment and Taxation Guide. His current role in ANTAM is to provide and develop strategic actions in managing and developing the commercial aspect of all ANTAM’s products which currently worth >USD5 billion as well as the supply chain side worth of >USD4 billion.

Dato' Seri Louis Ng

Founder & Executive Chairman
Public Gold Group

Dato' Seri Louis Ng

Founder & Executive Chairman

Public Gold Group

Dato’ Seri Louis Ng is the Founder and Executive Chairman of Public Gold Group, a leading integrated precious metals enterprise operating across Southeast Asia, Hong Kong, Dubai, and London. Since 2008, he has expanded the company across the full gold value chain — from refining and minting to trading, logistics, storage solutions, and e-commerce — contributing significantly to Malaysia’s rise as a regional gold hub.

Widely recognized in the precious metals industry, Dato’ Seri is also acclaimed as a prominent gold columnist in Malaysia’s Prime media. He has shared his expertise at conferences and events, providing valuable insights on the gold and precious metals markets.

As President of the Malaysia Gold Association (MGA) since 2020, he has strengthened industry coordination, advanced best practices, and elevated Malaysia’s role in the global precious metals market through active engagement with international partners and institutions.

Mohammad Ayyob

General Manager
SAM Precious Metals

Mohammad Ayyob

General Manager

SAM Precious Metals

Mohammad Ayyob is a seasoned leader with over 18 years of experience in the precious metals industry, specialising in strategy, growth, and business development. Since 2018, he has served as the General Manager of SAM, transforming the company from a startup into one of the UAE’s leading gold and precious metals refineries, while overseeing all strategic and operational activities to uphold the highest industry standards.

He began his career in marketing before moving into the precious metals sector in 2009 as Diamonds and Jewellery Business Development Manager. He later served as General Manager for Brinks Global Services in the UAE and Middle East, expanding the company’s regional presence and improving operational efficiency through strategic initiatives.

A respected industry figure, Mr. Ayyob provides expert insights on regulatory and market matters to government and industry forums and currently chairs the Dubai Business Group for Bullion and Gold Refinery. His deep knowledge of the full gold and precious metals value chain, combined with his commitment to innovation, continues to shape the region’s competitive landscape.

Pramod Mohan

Managing Director
Finmet Group

Pramod Mohan

Managing Director

Finmet Group

Pramod Mohan is the Co-Founder and Managing Director of FinMet Group, with over 30 years of global experience in commodities and financial markets across India, Dubai, Singapore, and Canada. A former leader at Scotiabank Dubai and a Forbes Middle East Top 50 CEO, he is widely respected for his expertise in the precious metals sector and his leadership in advancing innovative, technology-driven solutions for the global bullion industry.

Associates Prof. Dr. Mohamed Eskandar Shah

Chief Executive Officer
ISRA International Consulting Sdn Bhd

Associates Prof. Dr. Mohamed Eskandar Shah

Chief Executive Officer

ISRA International Consulting Sdn Bhd

Associate Professor Dr. Mohamed Eskandar Shah Mohd Rasid has 23 years of experience in academia, consultancy and senior leadership roles. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration (Hons) from International Islamic University Malaysia and a Master of International Economics and Finance from University of Queensland. He then obtained a PhD (Finance) from Nottingham University Business School, United Kingdom.

He started his career with International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM). His extensive teaching experience in various subjects of finance, economics and research includes invaluable experience as a tutor and lecturer during his doctorate study in the United Kingdom.

After completing his PhD, he joined INCEIF, delivering Islamic finance and economics courses, developing curriculum, and mentoring students. He held key academic positions as Associate Dean and Dean of School of Graduate Studies. He also contributed to key industry research, including the Global Islamic Finance Report 2020–21 and the SME Empowerment Self-Assessment System for CIMB Islamic Malaysia.

Dr Eskandar was also a Financial Sector Specialist Consultant for World Bank and Advisor for Brunei Institute of Leadership and Islamic Finance (BILIF), Brunei. He is also Advisor to several start-up companies from several countries. Dr Eskandar was involved in several consultancy projects with government agencies and financial institutions such as the Ministry of Energy, Malaysia, Afghanistan Ministry of Finance, CIMB Islamic Bank, Responsible Finance Institute (RFI), and ZICO Shariah Advisory.

After 9 years at INCEIF, he joined Hamad Bin Khalifa University (Qatar Foundation) as Associate Professor. He also served as Associate Dean Academic, providing academic leadership, overseeing curriculum development, and supporting faculty growth.

After four years stint in Qatar, he returned to Malaysia to become the Chief Executive Officer at ISRA Consulting, INCEIF University and appointed as a Member of Commission, Malaysia Competition Commission (MyCC). Currently, Dr Eskandar actively leads strategic consultancy projects in Islamic finance locally and globally, and engages with industry stakeholders to deliver impactful, Shariah-compliant solutions. His work focuses on developing the Islamic finance ecosystem in both Muslim majority and minority countries.

Datuk Prof. Dr. Mohamad Akram Laldin

Chairman
MGA Shariah Advisory Board

Datuk Prof. Dr. Mohamad Akram Laldin

Chairman

MGA Shariah Advisory Board

Datuk Prof. Dr. Mohamad Akram Laldin is a distinguished scholar and global authority in Islamic finance and Shariah governance. He currently serves as Professor at INCEIF University and is a Member of Bank Negara Malaysia’s Shariah Advisory Council. Formerly the Executive Director of the International Shari’ah Research Academy for Islamic Finance (ISRA), he has played a pivotal role in shaping Islamic finance frameworks across Malaysia, the Middle East, and Central Asia. Datuk Prof. Akram also chairs the Shariah Boards of EPF and Labuan FSA, and serves on international boards including Dubai Islamic Bank and First Abu Dhabi Bank. A multiple award-winning scholar, including the Malaysian Islamic Personality Award and Zaki Badawi Award for Excellence.

Dr Salim Ali Al Ali

Chairman of Internal Sharia Supervisory Committee
First Abu Dhabi Bank

Dr Salim Ali Al Ali

Chairman of Internal Sharia Supervisory Committee

First Abu Dhabi Bank

Dr. Salim Ali Al Ali is an assistant professor at the the College of Law at the United Arab Emirates University, where he teaches a spectrum of courses related to Islamic law and Islamic banking. He was educated in the United Kingdom, where he received his PhD in Islamic Financial Law from the University of London. Dr. Al Ali was also a part-time lecturer for the LLM program at the BPP Law School, BPP University, based in London, where he lectured on a broad spectrum of jurisprudence matters, including Islamic, English, and comparative laws.

Apart from his academic experience, he is currently Chairman of the internal Shari’ah Supervisory Committee for First Abu Dhabi Bank, HSBC Middle East and SALAMA Insurance.

He has participated in a number of international conferences on various issues pertaining to the law of Islamic finance, Islamic financial products, and the legal and regulatory aspects of developing Islamic financial markets, including those held by Harvard University and University of Cambridge.

Riko Wardhana

Senior Vice President, Bullion Business Group
PT Bank Syariah Indonesia Tbk

Riko Wardhana

Senior Vice President, Bullion Business Group

PT Bank Syariah Indonesia Tbk

Mr. Riko Wardhana currently serves as Senior Vice President of the Bullion Business Group at PT Bank Syariah Indonesia Tbk. In this role, he oversees the development and implementation of the bank’s bullion business initiatives, ensuring alignment with regulatory requirements and Sharia principles.

Ronan Manly

Precious Metals Ecosystem Manager
Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC)

Ronan Manly

Precious Metals Ecosystem Manager

Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC)

Ronan Manly is the Precious Metals Ecosystem Manager at DMCC, where he leads initiatives to strengthen Dubai’s role as a global precious-metals hub, including developing the UAE Good Delivery standard, and promoting responsible sourcing.

With nearly three decades of experience in financial markets, he has worked in investment banking and portfolio management with Morgan Stanley and Dimensional Fund Advisors, and has over 13 years of precious-metals experience through roles at FinMet and BullionStar Singapore. He is also widely known for his gold-market research and writing, and is regularly quoted in the international financial media.

Mr. Manly holds a Masters in Finance from London Business School and multiple degrees from University College Dublin.

Kinjal Shah

Head of Asian Development
Responsible Jewellery Council

Kinjal Shah

Head of Asian Development

Responsible Jewellery Council

As the Head of Asian Development at the Responsible Jewellery Council (RJC), Kinjal Shah has been a driving force since April 2015. With over 25 years of experience in the gem and jewellery industry, Kinjal is dedicated to expanding RJC's influence in Asia from Surat, India—the hub of diamond manufacturing. By forging strong connections with stakeholders, he enhances awareness and drives membership growth, aiming to elevate the industry's impact across Asia & Middled East , His vision centers on collaboration and integrity, inspiring others to embrace sustainability in their practices.

Ajit S Mauskar

Director, Market Infrastructure, India, Middle East and North Africa
World Gold Council

Ajit S Mauskar

Director, Market Infrastructure, India, Middle East and North Africa

World Gold Council

Ajit Mauskar, joined the World Gold Council in March 2021. Based in Mumbai, Ajit is responsible for leading the Market Infrastructure initiatives of World Gold Council in the Indian, Middle Eastern and North African gold markets. Ajit is a seasoned banker and has over 25 years' global experience in banking sector specialising in precious metals and commodities. Prior to joining the World Gold Council, Ajit started the commodities department and was the Global Head for Commodities for a leading regional commercial bank in the Middle East having diverse customer base in multiple countries. Earlier to that, he was one of the founding members of Scotiabank’s bullion business in India.

David Tait

Chief Executive OfficerWorld Gold Council

Chirag Sheth

South Asia Principal ConsultantMetals Focus

Handi Sutanto

Chief Commercial OfficerPT Aneka Tambang Tbk (ANTAM)

Dato' Seri Louis Ng

Founder & Executive ChairmanPublic Gold Group

Mohammad Ayyob

General ManagerSAM Precious Metals

Pramod Mohan

Managing DirectorFinmet Group

Associates Prof. Dr. Mohamed Eskandar Shah

Chief Executive OfficerISRA International Consulting Sdn Bhd

Datuk Prof. Dr. Mohamad Akram Laldin

ChairmanMGA Shariah Advisory Board

Dr Salim Ali Al Ali

Chairman of Internal Sharia Supervisory CommitteeFirst Abu Dhabi Bank

Riko Wardhana

Senior Vice President, Bullion Business GroupPT Bank Syariah Indonesia Tbk

Ronan Manly

Precious Metals Ecosystem ManagerDubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC)

Kinjal Shah

Head of Asian DevelopmentResponsible Jewellery Council

Ajit S Mauskar

Director, Market Infrastructure, India, Middle East and North AfricaWorld Gold Council

Chief Executive Officer
World Gold Council

South Asia Principal Consultant
Metals Focus

Chief Commercial Officer
PT Aneka Tambang Tbk (ANTAM)

Founder & Executive Chairman
Public Gold Group

General Manager
SAM Precious Metals

Managing Director
Finmet Group

Chief Executive Officer
ISRA International Consulting Sdn Bhd

Chairman
MGA Shariah Advisory Board

Chairman of Internal Sharia Supervisory Committee
First Abu Dhabi Bank

Senior Vice President, Bullion Business Group
PT Bank Syariah Indonesia Tbk

Precious Metals Ecosystem Manager
Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC)

Head of Asian Development
Responsible Jewellery Council

Director, Market Infrastructure, India, Middle East and North Africa
World Gold Council