LAWYER-turned-businessman Datuk Andrew Lim Tatt Keong was honoured with the INPenang Lifetime Achievement Award Winner at a grand ceremony held recently at St Giles The Wembley Hotel in George Town, Penang.
Lim, who serves as the Group Executive Chairman of GIANT, Mercato, TMC and GAMA, Group Deputy Chairman of SOGO Seibu, and President of the Malaysia Retailers Association, is widely recognised as a turnaround specialist in the retail industry.
The 7th edition of the biennial INPenang International Awards celebrated 17 Penang-born individuals and organisations who have excelled in their respective industries and made significant contributions to society. The event drew a distinguished crowd of around 400 guests, including notable figures from various industries around the world
Human Resources Minister Steven Sim Chee Keong, who was the guest of honour, presented the awards across the various categories.
One of the memorable highlights of the evening was the appearance of ‘Baby Hawke’, a small robot developed by UB GROUP, a leading AI and robotics industrial automation solutions provider. The robot delighted attendees by delivering the trophies to the winners on stage.
A charity auction was also held, with part of the proceeds going to charitable causes. Among the featured items were two exquisite pieces of fine jewellery from the Heirloom Series by ONE EAST MUSEUM, specially crafted for the INPenang International Awards 2025.
Another standout auction item was a painting themed ‘Blossom Wonderland’, created by Datuk Ch’ng Huck Theng, an internationally award-winning contemporary artist. The artwork was also featured on the cover of the awards’ commemorative coffee-table book.
Other notable auction items included a Hublot Classic Fusion watch from The Hour Glass, a custom-made Nyonya kebaya from Kenny Loh Couture, and a vivo X200 series smartphone from vivo.
The award recipients:
INPenang Lifetime Achievement Award Winner: Datuk Andrew Lim Tatt Keong
INPenang International Outstanding Achievers Award Winners:
Hong Kong: Dato’ Seri Cheah Cheng Hye (Honorary Chairman and Non-Executive Director of Value Partners Group, Hong Kong)
Thailand: Dato’ Raschada Jiwalai (Former Consul General of Thailand, Royal Thai Consulate – General, Penang)
Myanmar: Tanes Kumar (Chief Executive Officer and Chief Commercial Officer, Myanmar Airways International & Mingalar)
Malaysia: Dato’ Lau Beng Long (President, Sunway Healthcare Group)
Malaysia: Cheah Chay Tiong (Director and Managing Editor, The Smart Investor)
INPenang National Achievers Award Winners
- Women’s Leadership: Dr Mary CH Quah
- Best Fertility & Reproductive Health Innovators: Genesis IVF & Women’s Specialist Centre
- Top Environmental Stewardship, Innovation & Circular Economy: Shan Poornam Sdn Bhd
- Best Property Developer: GSD Land (M) Sdn Bhd
- Best Retail Mall: Sunway Carnival Mall
- Best Tourism Experience – Museum: Wonderfood Museum Penang
- Best Heritage Brand: Ghee Hiang Manufacturing Co. Sdn Bhd
- Top Cultural Fashion Designer: Dr Kenny Loh from Kenny Loh Couture
INPenang Emerging Entrepreneur Award Winners
- dré Coklat Sdn Bhd
- Space Ace Elite Sdn Bhd
- Alan Lim Hin Loong & Catherine Lee Siow Mei (Founder, Fusion)
Pix courtesy of CHTNetwork