MOHWA honours 85 wealth management professionals

PETALING JAYA: The Malaysian Outstanding Holistic Wealth Advisor (MOHWA) Awards 2026 recognised 85 professionals for their achievements in wealth management, while introducing a new recognition for sustained excellence.

Held at M World Hotel on Oct 27, the third annual award presentation also marked a leadership transition at the Malaysia Will and Trust Association (MWTA), which organises the awards.

This year's recipients comprised 45 Personal Award winners, 33 Leadership Award recipients and seven Supreme Eagle Award recipients.

MOHWA chairwoman Kathryn Khoo said the awards had evolved beyond recognising individual achievements to setting benchmarks for professional standards and industry development.

"Behind every recognition is a professional who has chosen to keep learning, serving clients and families, and upholding high standards in their work," she said, adding that the achievements reflected growing professionalism and commitment within the industry.

The number of recipients rose from 63 in 2024 to 73 last year and 85 this year, an increase of about 35 per cent since the awards began.

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The inaugural Eagle Circle recognition also honoured 42 professionals who had received MOHWA recognition for three consecutive years.

Khoo said recipients should continue upgrading their knowledge, complying with industry regulations and educating the public about wills, trusts and legacy planning.

The event also recognised outgoing MWTA president Datuk Chua Meng Min, who will continue as the association's legacy adviser.

Chua said the leadership transition would allow a younger generation to build on the association's foundations and strengthen professional development.

"We started the ball rolling, and then we hope that it will go for another 100 years," he said.

He added that MWTA should equip advisers with stronger legal and technical knowledge to meet increasingly complex client needs, particularly as the industry expands into family office services.

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His successor, MWTA president Thomas Chin, said the association would strengthen professional capabilities and industry cooperation while building public confidence through education.

He said estate planning was often wrongly perceived as necessary only for wealthy people or older adults. It was relevant to anyone supporting family members, caring for ageing parents or having dependants.

MWTA plans to expand public awareness through workshops, community initiatives and free sessions involving lawyers, accountants, insurance agents and trustee companies.

Among this year's Supreme Eagle Award recipients, Low Teck Soon said consistency and stepping outside his comfort zone had helped him earn the recognition for the first time. He plans to focus on recruitment and developing committed advisers to build a sustainable team by 2027.

Varie Song Pei Lu, who has more than 24 years of industry experience, said she remained a learner despite receiving the award. She hopes to use the recognition to raise awareness of legacy planning and inspire other advisers.

Jyn Tan Chee Ching said maintaining consistency during difficult periods had been her biggest challenge.

"Success doesn't happen overnight. It's built through discipline, patience and continuous effort," she said, urging advisers to persevere even when results were not immediate.

MOHWA 2026 was supported by platinum sponsors ZICO Trust (M) Bhd, Octowill Trustees Bhd and Holistic Wealth Group Sdn Bhd.