Let’s face it: too often, networking events feel like a transactional blur. We swap business cards, engage in fleeting small talk, and walk away without much lasting connection.
But MillionaireAsia Nusantara – the 20-year-old brand’s platform in Malaysia and Indonesia – wanted to break that mould with our launch event: an experience where meaningful dialogue, collaboration and impact take centre stage.
In celebration of International Women’s Day this year, we hosted an intimate, invitation-only luncheon on 27 Feb, gathering influential and inspiring women leaders from Malaysia and Indonesia at the beautiful The Chow Kit, a boutique hotel in Kuala Lumpur.
The guest list included Malaysia’s Deputy Communications Minister Teo Nie Ching; activist and Wahid Institute director Yenny Wahid; Chitra Subyakto, founder of Indonesian eco-conscious fashion brand Sejauh Mata Memandang; and Arumi Bachsin, who uses her massive social media following for good, along with 40 women whose incredible achievements in diverse fields including leadership, business, entrepreneurship, politics, philanthropy and social impact are helping shape the future of their communities – and the conversation around what women can do to change the world around them.
Investing in her future
At the heart of this gathering was the launch of MillionaireAsia Nusantara’s flagship Women’s fund – an initiative designed to fuel women’s dreams with the resources, capital and mentorship they need to thrive.
It’s our pledge to work with partners in the community to help support opportunities for women to fulfil their potential and thrive in their personal and professional lives.
With an initial commitment of RM150,000 earmarked for 2025, the fund will focus on supporting organisations and individuals in their programmes and initiatives in areas including: empowering women economically – through efforts like training and mentorship, among other things; increasing women’s participation at the workplace, in the community and in politics; supporting women’s health and wellbeing; as well as combatting gender-based violence and supporting victims of abuse.
Selection of recipients will be guided by a rigorous and transparent process to ensure that resources are directed toward initiatives with measurable and sustainable outcomes.
The mission is to help break down barriers, and create a thriving ecosystem and support network where women don’t just survive – they thrive.
Open to NGOs, CSR initiatives, women-founded enterprises, and advocacy projects, the fund hopes to be more than just a financial aid. We want it to be a catalyst for change.
We believe investing in women is the key to a future where leadership is inclusive, transformative and grounded in real impact, and we’re here to support, and help bring to life, the programmes who share that same belief.
Conversations from the heart
Deep, candid conversations unfolded among the trailblazing women in the room, with stories of resilience, leadership and purpose taking centre stage.
The collective message was clear: leadership isn’t about titles; it’s about creating a ripple effect that empowers others. Today’s leaders aren’t just climbing the ladder for personal success. They’re building legacies that elevate everyone around them – with guests at the event discussing how to shape societies that value inclusivity, equality and the power of women’s voices.
Our panel with Teo Nie Ching; Yenny Wahid; Chitra Subyakto, and Arumi Bachsin, who are no strangers to leadership and impact, became a heartfelt and meaningful conversation, where everyone felt part of the dialogue.
Despite their remarkable achievements and leadership roles, the speakers exuded a sense of humility and warmth that made sharing easy and honest. For individuals who have accomplished so much and hold significant influence, they exuded humility and warmth, making the atmosphere inclusive, open, and heartfelt – a true reflection of what women’s leadership should be: empowering and accessible.
Teo Nie Ching: Purpose, focus and impact
Deputy Communications Minister Teo Nie Ching, who is also the chief for the women’s arm of Malaysia’s Democratic Action Party and MP for Kulai, shared an unforgettable moment about the early days of her political career.
With a soft laugh that brought smiles to the room, the seasoned politician recounted: “The most impactful advice I’ve received came from Tan Sri Lim Kit Siang. He said ‘Stay focused and don’t get easily distracted by things that aren’t important.’ That wisdom has stayed with me throughout my political journey, especially when I stepped into this field to fight for a better Malaysia.”
Her words served as a powerful reminder of the importance of focus and perseverance, particularly in spaces – like politics – where women often face unique challenges and scrutiny.
The discussion also touched on the importance of engaging men as allies in the fight for gender equality.
It’s crucial, guest and speakers acknowledged, to engage with men and make them understand the role they too have to play in conversations about and the fight for leadership representation, equal opportunities and systemic issues such as gender-based violence.
Women’s leadership isn’t about taking anything away from men; it’s about creating an ecosystem where everyone can rise together. Progress happens when both men and women understand that empowering women elevates entire communities.
Yenny Wahid: Leading with courage and purpose
Yenny Wahid, the fearless Indonesian activist and director of the Wahid Foundation, brought a deeply personal touch to the conversation.
Speaking about growing up with her father, Indonesia’s first democratically elected president, she shared how her family’s example of courage and resilience shaped her own leadership path.
“I grew up watching my father — a man who, despite his blindness, led a nation with vision and compassion. But I also learned a lot from my mother, who taught me strength and resilience in her own quiet way,” Yenny shared, her voice rich with emotion and reverence.
Her parents instilled in her the courage to take risks, and pursue continuous personal development.
“All the leadership qualities that people see in me today — the courage to take a leap, to speak up — these were shaped in my childhood, from the examples of my mother and father,” she added, acknowledging the powerful influence of parental role models in nurturing the next generation of leaders.
She urged everyone in the room to invest in themselves, to grow beyond their natural talents, and to never settle for complacency.
“No matter how talented you are, how beautiful you are, how rich or powerful you are, you have to nurture your innate ability. If you don’t develop yourself further and you just sit quietly, you won’t get far.” she emphasised, earning nods of agreement from the audience.
Her story served as a powerful reminder that leadership is not inherited — it’s cultivated. It’s a journey of growth, persistence, and learning. And while life may offer opportunities, it is up to each individual to seize them with courage, humility, and persistence.
And her reflections underscored that legacy we build isn’t just about what we achieve, but about the values we impart and the people we inspire along the way.
Chitra Subyakto: Empowering women through craft and confidence
Meanwhile, Chitra Subyakto, founder of Indonesian slow fashion brand Sejauh Mata Memandang, shared how her journey in sustainable fashion has always been deeply intertwined with empowering women artisans in Indonesia.
Her label, which is committed to creating a more responsible future for Mother Earth, is not just about beautiful designs that honour Indonesia’s rich heritage and elevates it on a global stage – it’s also a platform for helping women shape their own futures.
Chitra shared that 70 per cent of the artisans behind Sejauh Mata Memandang are Indonesian women, many of them from marginalised communities. These women are not only the backbone of the brand but also the heart of its mission to create change, both environmentally and socially.
“When we, as women — or as human beings — learn a new skill, it means we gain more confidence,” Chitra said.
For Chitra, empowerment starts with education and opportunity — giving women a chance to be skilled, to create, and to become economically active. She believes that by enabling women to stand on their own feet, we are also nurturing stronger families and communities, ultimately contributing to a more sustainable and equitable society.
And the women who’ve worked with Sejauh Mata Memandang have learned new skills, gained confidence and independence and are now thriving.
Her message served as a powerful reminder that sustainability goes beyond environmental impact — it is also about sustaining people, cultures, and communities.
By supporting and upskilling women artisans, Sejauh Mata Memandang is not just creating fashion. It is weaving stories of resilience, empowerment, and hope into every thread. And Chitra’s story underscores how even small actions like teaching a skill can create ripples of change that uplift entire generations.
Arumi Bachsin: Completing, not competing
Arumi Bachsin, a former actress and model who uses her platform to champion positive social impact in Indonesia, including women’s rights and empowerment, shared her own unexpected but impactful journey into public service and politics.
“Honestly, I had no idea what politics was all about when I first got married,” said Arumi, whose husband Emil Dardak was last year re-elected as Deputy Governor of East Java.
“My husband was a businessman when we got engaged. And later, when he stepped into politics and eventually became the Deputy Governor of East Java, naturally, I found myself part of that world too. It was a learning curve, but one that opened my eyes to the important role leaders play in shaping society.”
Arumi, who serves on the EDEC Council and is also president of the Indonesian Women’s Sports Association (Perwosi) East Java, has been active in initiatives to help empower women, including women entrepreneurs and women-owned businesses.
Her words highlighted the evolving nature of roles that women often take on — sometimes unexpectedly, but with grace and adaptability. She reflected on her role as a wife and partner to a political leader, offering a powerful message about gender dynamics that resonated deeply with the audience.
“When we talk about women and men, it’s not about competing to see who’s better,” she said. “Allah created us differently, with unique strengths and weaknesses. Whether in the workplace or at home, we are meant to complete each other, not compete.”
Her statement drew nods and thoughtful smiles from the room — a poignant reminder that true partnership is about mutual support and complementing one another, not rivalry or comparison.
Arumi added that even as she actively participates in public and social roles, her partnership with her husband is rooted in collaboration, not competition. She believes that the essence of a strong relationship — whether in marriage, leadership, or society — lies in recognising that both men and women bring different but equally valuable strengths to the table.
“It’s about filling in the gaps for each other,” she added, reflecting on how understanding, empathy, and teamwork are crucial — both in personal relationships and broader societal leadership.
A legacy in motion
This luncheon is just the start, and the spark of something far greater – a movement of women redefining leadership, purpose and impact in Malaysia, Indonesia and across the Nusantara region.
These remarkable women — leaders, innovators, changemakers — gathered not simply to share their journeys, successes and struggles, but to ignite a vision for the next generation: a vision where women are empowered not only to lead but to shape entire communities, industries, and nations.
From navigating gender biases and societal expectations to driving impactful initiatives in business, politics, and creative industries, these women exemplify what it means to lead with purpose, vision, and compassion.
Their presence and stories inspired a powerful call to action — to invest in women not just as beneficiaries, but as leaders and architects of change.
The launch of MillionaireAsia Nusantara’s Women’s Fund stands as a bold promise as well: that investing in women is investing in a future where leadership is inclusive, compassionate, and transformative.
In a world where influence and success are often measured in individual terms, this gathering served as a powerful reminder that true leadership lies in how we uplift others along the way.
Because at the end of the day, legacies are not just about what we build for ourselves, but about how many lives we touch and how many futures we help shape.
A legacy of leadership is not just about what we achieve — it’s about who we inspire and uplift along the way.
