



Falconer is widely recognized for his practical "how" approach to urban strategy, moving beyond technological theory to focus on the actual implementation of sustainable city frameworks. He has served as a trusted advisor to major international organizations like the World Bank, the European Commission, and the City of Barcelona, where he helped design their smart city programs. In 2013, he was ranked among the Top 100 City Innovators Worldwide by UBM Future Cities, reflecting his influence in the sector. A member of the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors, he frequently contributes to global discourse on the "secret sauce" of successful cities like Singapore and the evolution of digital transformation in urban infrastructure.

Prior to his role in MDEC, Anuar Fariz served as Country Lead and Head of Public Policy at ByteDance Malaysia, where he was instrumental in leading public policy strategies and facilitating data centre investments in Malaysia, empowering Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) through TikTok Shop, and spearheaded the development of cybersafety policies for social media platforms, ensuring safer online environments and enhanced digital security. He also brings a wealth of experience in strategic investments, particularly in managing Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) for data centres and driving AI development initiatives.
Earlier in his career, Anuar Fariz held the role of Advisor to the Chief Executive Officer at Celcom Axiata Berhad in 2019, where he was responsible for shaping government business strategies, with a particular focus on GovTech 5G and advancing MSME digitalisation through public-private partnerships. As Head of Regional Government Business at Axiata Group Berhad, he led teams across Malaysia and the region, advancing key partnerships and overseeing crisis management and advocacy efforts across South Asia.
Between 2013 and 2017, Anuar Fariz served as Aide of the Minister of International Trade and Industry, where he played a crucial role in formulating macroeconomic reforms, managing FDI strategies, and driving industrial development. His efforts contributed to the creation of a friendly investment environment by enhancing regulatory frameworks for FDI. Earlier in his career, he served as Head of Business Development at Yayasan AMIR, an organisation established by Khazanah Nasional Berhad to reform public education in Malaysia. In 2007, he also managed strategic business initiatives at Think CITY in Georgetown, Penang, where he oversaw grant management to promote urban sustainability and well-being.
Anuar Fariz holds a Master of International Public Policy from the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS).




In November 2024, Arthur was honored as one of Autodesk Construction Cloud's 40 Under 40: Champions of Construction, a global recognition of his role in pioneering digital engineering and managing large-scale implementations like the Autodesk Construction Cloud for projects such as the Rasau Water Treatment Plant. An alumnus of Imperial College London, where he completed his Master of Engineering in Civil Engineering as a Gamuda Scholar, he frequently represents the industry as a speaker on digital twins and data-driven construction. Beyond his professional role, he is involved in community initiatives, including past leadership in the RED Project Borneo to construct schools in rural Sabah.


Before championing the legacy of Merdeka 118, Datuk Izwan built an illustrious track record of managing Malaysia's most celebrated urban landscapes. He previously served as the CEO of Putrajaya Holdings Sdn Bhd, the master developer responsible for shaping the nation's administrative capital across its residential, commercial, and hospitality sectors. His mastery of landmark asset management was further solidified during his tenure as Executive Director of KLCC Urusharta Sdn Bhd, where he successfully oversaw the facilities and operations of global marvels, including the Petronas Twin Towers. This extraordinary journey of corporate excellence initially took root in 2001, when he began his foundational career with PETRONAS Carigali, steadily ascending through various pivotal leadership positions within the PETRONAS Group.
An engineer and technologist by trade, Datuk Izwan’s visionary leadership is firmly anchored in strong academic and professional credentials. He holds both a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering and a Master of Science in Information Technology from the prestigious Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in New York, USA. This unique blend of engineering prowess and technological foresight earned him the highly regarded professional designations of Professional Engineer (Ir.) and Professional Technologist (Ts.), the latter recognized by the Malaysia Board of Technologists (MBOT). Additionally, he is an active member of the Institute of Corporate Directors Malaysia (ICDM). Committed to nurturing the next generation of leaders, Datuk Izwan frequently bridges the gap between industry and academia, lending his strategic expertise to higher education platforms as a Board of Trustees member for Yayasan Universiti Malaysia Pahang (UMP), and as an Industry Advisory Panelist for both Universiti Tenaga Nasional (UNITEN) and Asia Pacific University (APU).




With extensive experience in the public sector, he often represents the corporation in high-level academic and international engagements, such as leading briefings for visiting delegations on Putrajaya’s design and development history. He also plays a vital role in the One Stop Centre (OSC) committee, where he facilitates the processing of development applications and provides technical guidance to stakeholders and developers.

