4 Malaysian Women Grace The Forbes 50 Over 50 2023 Asia List
The women were recognised for their efforts in scientific innovation, literature, human rights advocacy, and the culinary arts.
By Jasmine Chea — 18 Jan 2023, 12:50 PM
2022 saw many Malaysians doing amazing things that have placed our country on the map.
And it seems 2023 will be no different as four terrific Malaysian women made it on the prestigious Forbes 50 Over 50 2023 Asia List.
1. Professor Datuk Dr Asma Ismail, 64 years old, academic and microbiologist
Starting off the list we have Professor Datuk Dr Asma Ismail, who is one of Malaysia's top-ranked academics.
She has earned prestigious titles such as the Malaysia National Academic Award in March 2022 and served as the first female vice-chancellor for well-known Malaysian institutions such as Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) and Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia (USIM).
The distinguished professor has also made great strides in the field of science and research. Her research has led to the commercialisation of the rapid diagnostic test for typhoid (TYPHIDOT), which has been advocated by the World Heath Organization (WHO) and used worldwide.
She has also held respected academic positions over her career, such as chair of the educational regulator Malaysian Qualifications Agency and was a scientific advisor to the United Nation's Biodiversity Conference (COP 15) in 2022.
2. Karina Robles Bahrin, 52 years old, author
Karina's journey as an award-winning author was recent but certainly an acclaimed one when she published her first book The Accidental Malay at 52 years of age.
The novel has since won Karina the prestigious Epigram Books Fiction Prize 2022, making her the second Malaysian and first Malaysian woman to have bagged the award.
One of the judges of the award hailed Karina's novel as "an intelligent, well-crafted, and significant work".
3. Datuk Ambiga Sreenevasan, 66 years old, lawyer and human rights advocate
Ambiga needs no introduction as a prominent figure and fighter for women's rights and judicial reform in Malaysia.
As a commercial and corporate litigation lawyer and president of the Malaysian Bar, she led a march of 2,000 lawyers calling for judicial reform in 2007 and is also known for being the co-founder of Bersih, a movement that continues to advocate for clean and fair elections.
Her staunch fight for Malaysian women's rights, including advocating for women's testimonies to hold equal weight in the Sharia courts, has also won her the 2009 US International Women of Courage Award from then first lady Michelle Obama and US secretary of state Hillary Clinton.
4. Beh Gaik Lean, 69 years old, chef
Beh is a fourth-generation Nyonya and holds her heritage and her love for Peranakan cuisine close to her heart. Beh discovered her love for food when she was 12 years old, and went on to pursue a career as a canteen chef and caterer.
She continued her passion in food until she was able to open her very own restaurant Auntie Gaik Lean's Old School Eatery.
Famed for its old-school dishes and fresh ingredients, Beh's restaurant in Penang has earned a prestigious Michelin Star award in 2022. Beh is one of the first chefs in Malaysia to be awarded a Michelin Star.
