Tan Sri Dato’ Sri Liew Kee Sin, Executive Chairman of Eco World Development Group Berhad, has been named an honorary Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (CBE). Liew was honoured for his services to successful regeneration and development projects in the UK and for his contribution to the UK-Malaysia trade and investment ties.

Liew, who was the Chief Executive of S P Setia Berhad, brought together a consortium including Sime Darby Berhad and the Employees’ Provident Fund Board in successfully bidding to redevelop the Battersea Power Station from an electricity-generating station lain dormant for decades into an integrated retail, office, leisure and housing real estate. He was appointed as the first Chairman of the Battersea Project Holding Company in 2012, a position he held until September 2015. Under his stewardship, the Battersea project was the largest ever inward investment from Malaysia into the UK.

Liew also founded EcoWorld International Berhad (EcoWorld International), another prominent property developer in Malaysia. EcoWorld International has over the last decade entered into joint ventures with UK companies Ballymore and Willmott Dixon to deliver large development projects in the UK. Under Liew’s leadership, EcoWorld International has also helped to bring into the UK several new Asian lenders such as UOB and Bangkok Bank, in addition to existing Malaysian banks such as CIMB and Maybank who had been operating in the UK, as well as engaging UK companies in its supply chain procurement contracts.

Reflecting on the honorary award, Liew said:

I am deeply honoured to receive this award and would like to acknowledge the contributions of so many of my current and former colleagues, as well as bankers and business partners, in everything that we have collectively achieved together. I would also like to thank the British and Malaysian Government for their generous and unwavering support when the various projects and ideas for development, inbound and outbound investments were presented to them, which have contributed immeasurably to the success of both the Battersea consortium as well as EcoWorld International today in the UK. This treasured award will certainly motivate me to do more to make a positive difference as we all endeavour play a meaningful role to help make our shared planet a better place.

H.E. Charles Hay, British High Commissioner to Malaysia, congratulated Liew:

I am pleased that Tan Sri Liew has been recognised for his immense contribution to the bilateral trade and investment ties between the UK and Malaysia. The iconic Battersea regeneration development and other projects in the UK that he led, have created huge economic benefits as well as tremendous value in the green and regeneration agenda. His remarkable acumen, vision and determination are attributes admired by his peers and inspirational to others.

Hay will present the honorary award to Liew on behalf of His Majesty King Charles III at a later date.

Liew was also recognised as UK-Malaysia Business Personality of the Year by the British Malaysian Chamber of Commerce at their inaugural Business Excellence Awards in 2018.

Thank you Mr President.

Thank you Director for your admirably objective update.

Two weeks ago the Commission of Inquiry confirmed that war crimes have indeed been committed in Ukraine, days after the liberation of areas in Kharkiv oblast revealed yet more Russian atrocities.

Last week, President Putin purported to annex four regions of Ukraine – a blatant violation of Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and of international law – and then used Russia’s veto to try to avoid the scorn of the Security Council.

Today, you have made clear the horrors and the scope of Putin’s violations of human rights law and international law in the course of his war of aggression.

Hospitals, schools, places of worship destroyed. Millions denied their basic rights to health, education and religion or belief.

Sexual violence and rape, including of children. Civilians shot dead in the street trying to gather fuel, food or medicine.

There are apparently no limits to Putin’s disregard for International Law, or to the Ukrainian people’s unspeakable suffering. And in Russia, those enough to protest the war and mobilisation face arrest and abuse in detention. Aggression abroad, repression at home.

There is one simple way to end the suffering in Ukraine. President Putin: bring your troops home. End the war. Respect the law.

Director,

Faced with Russia’s continued flouting of international law, how can the OHCHR minimise the devastating impact on ordinary people.

The Porth Transport Interchange will improve facilities for bus and rail passengers and create a gateway to Porth town centre. The scheme will include 7 operational bus bays, 2 lay over spaces and EV charging capabilities.

The project is part of the Metro Plus Programme – a £50 million programme of schemes supporting the wider South Wales Metro plan, which will transform transport and travel across the wider region.

The UK Government has contributed £125m to the South Wales Metro through the Cardiff Capital Region City Deal.  In addition, the PorthTransport Interchange project has received £3.5m in Levelling Up Funding from the UK Government.

Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Wales, David TC Davies said:

It’s great to see construction underway on projects that will have a huge benefit for the area and its people and businesses. A modern, green, seamless transport system is vital for supporting jobs and prosperity, and the UK Government is proud to help fund this work.

The Metro is an ambitious multi-million project to integrate rail, bus, cycling and walking, improve connectivity and make sustainable travel easier across South Wales. The projects are wide-ranging; from establishing new park and ride facilities with EV charging on-site, to new rail and bus interchanges equipped with secure bike parking and easier access. In Cardiff, for instance, new infrastructure will enable 20% of the capital’s commuters to travel by bus by 2030.

Chief Operating Officer Cardiff Capital Region City Deal, Rhys Thomas said:

Transforming our infrastructure, connectivity and mode of transport is absolutely critical to the sustainability and future success of South East Wales. That’s why we are committed to investing in programmes like Metro Plus, as they play a key role in contributing toward this ambition. The Porth Transport Hub is a great example of the transformational programmes that are reshaping our region. It’s a catalyst for the regeneration of the Porth town centre, bringing together bus and rail services for the very first time, making public transport far more accessible – and making a real difference to the people of Porth.

RCT Cabinet Member for Development and Prosperity, Cllr Mark Norris said:

The improvements to public transport are vital to support jobs and prosperity in South Wales. The region accounts for about 50% of the total economic output of Wales, and it is home for almost half the total population of the country.

Ensuring infrastructure is fit for the future will have a significant economic impact, improving lives and helping to achieve the UK Government’s aim of levelling up communities.

ENDS