Surina Shukri Wikipedia, Biodata, Age, Husband, Net Worth & Family: Who Was Former MDEC CEO?

Surina Shukri, the former CEO of the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC), passed away on February 29, 2024, after a long battle with breast cancer. She was 48 years old. She leaves behind her husband, Jasmin Ong Rashid, and three children, Ean, Arianna, and Zac.
Surina was a trailblazer in the digital economy, leading MDEC from January 2019 to August 2021, and spearheading initiatives to accelerate the growth and innovation of Malaysia’s digital sector. She was also a passionate advocate for women empowerment, diversity, and social impact, and a mentor to many aspiring entrepreneurs and leaders.
In this article, we will look back at Surina’s remarkable journey, from her humble beginnings in Kuala Lumpur to her illustrious career in Wall Street and beyond, and pay tribute to her achievements and contributions to the nation and the world.
A Klang Valley Local with a Global Mindset
Surina was born in the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and grew up in the Klang Valley. She attended SMK Damansara Jaya for high school, and then moved to Mara Junior College, Taiping, where she excelled academically and extracurricularly.
She had a keen interest in finance and technology and pursued her higher education in the United States, where she received dual degrees in Finance and Systems Engineering from The Wharton School and the University of Pennsylvania. She later obtained a Master of Fine Arts in Design and Technology from Parsons School of Design – The New School, and a Master of International Affairs from Columbia University.

Surina was a lifelong learner, who constantly sought to expand her horizons and challenge herself. She also attended various courses and programs at institutions such as Harvard Business School, Stanford University, and the School of Hard Knocks.
Surina Shukri Wiki/Bio
Name | Surina Shukri |
---|---|
Birth date | N/A |
Birthplace | Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia |
Death date | February 29, 2024 |
Death place | Ampang Puteri Hospital, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia |
Death cause | Cancer |
Occupation | Businesswoman, investor, former CEO of MDEC |
Education | University of Pennsylvania, Parsons School of Design – The New School, Columbia University, MARA Junior Science College Pontian, Klang Valley 4 Locals, School of Hard Knocks |
Spouse | Jasmin Ong Rashid |
Children | Ean, Arianna, Zac |
Parents | Shukri and Noraini |
Siblings | One brother and one sister |
Net worth | N/A |
Awards and honors | Agile 50 list by Apolitical and the World Economic Forum’s Global Future Council on Agile Governance (2020) |
Controversies | None |
Social Media Links | Instagram: surina.kay.elle Twitter: iSurinaShukri LinkedIn: surinashukri |
Homepage | newsunzip.com |
Wikipedia | Not Live |
A Wall Street Veteran with a Heart for Social Good
Surina moved to New York in 2001 and embarked on a successful career as an investment banker at JP Morgan Chase & Co, where she worked for 17 years. She advised on multi-billion dollar mergers and acquisitions, capital raising transactions, and strategic partnerships, and served as a member of the Commercial Banking Executive Committee.
Surina was not only a savvy dealmaker, but also a compassionate leader, who cared deeply about the social and environmental impact of her work. She was involved in various initiatives to promote financial inclusion, sustainability, and corporate responsibility, and received several awards and recognitions for her efforts.

Surina was also a pioneer in the blockchain space, having founded SheNovation Ventures in 2018, a venture capital firm that focuses on investing in and supporting blockchain startups that aim to create positive social change. She was also a core team member of Women 4 Blockchain, a community that educates and empowers women in the blockchain ecosystem.
Net worth and Income Sources
Surina Shukri’s net worth is not publicly disclosed, but she was likely a wealthy and successful individual, given her career and positions. She worked for around 17 years in banking and investment, including at JPMorgan Chase & Co, one of the largest financial institutions in the world. She also founded SheNovation Ventures, a venture studio that advised fintech and blockchain startups on growth strategy and capital raising.

She was the CEO of MDEC from January 2019 to August 2021, where she led the development of several national digital agendas and initiatives. After leaving MDEC, she was involved in several companies, including Capital A (formerly known as AirAsia Group) and CIMB Investment Bank Bhd, as an independent non-executive director.
She was also named among the World’s 50 Most Influential People Revolutionising Governance in the inaugural Agile 50 list by Apolitical and the World Economic Forum’s Global Future Council on Agile Governance in 2020.
Husband and kids
Surina Shukri was married to Jasmin Ong Rashid, a Malaysian entrepreneur and investor. They had three children, Ean, Arianna, and Zac. Surina was a devoted mother and wife, who balanced her professional and personal life with grace and courage. She often shared her family moments on her social media accounts, such as Twitter and LinkedIn.

Parents and Siblings
Surina Shukri was born in the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, to Shukri and Noraini. She had two siblings, a brother and a sister. Her father was a businessman and her mother was a homemaker. Surina was close to her parents and siblings and often expressed her gratitude and love for them. She also credited them for supporting her education and career aspirations.
Controversies
Surina Shukri was not involved in any major controversies during her life and career. She was widely respected and admired for her achievements and contributions to the digital economy and governance. She was also known for her integrity, vision, and leadership. However, she did face some criticisms and challenges, especially during her tenure as MDEC CEO. Some of the issues that she had to deal with were:
- The resignation of several senior MDEC executives in 2019, which raised questions about the agency’s direction and performance.
- The allegations of political interference and cronyism in MDEC’s appointments and operations, which she denied and refuted.
- The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the political instability on the digital economy and MDEC’s initiatives.
- The decision to step down as MDEC CEO in August 2021, which was reportedly due to health reasons and personal matters.

Despite these challenges, Surina Shukri maintained her professionalism and optimism, and continued to work hard to achieve MDEC’s goals and vision. She also received support and recognition from various stakeholders, including the government, the industry, and the public.
A Digital Champion with a Vision for Malaysia
Surina returned to Malaysia in 2019, and took on the role of CEO of MDEC, the government agency responsible for driving the digital transformation of the country. She was the first woman and the youngest person to hold the position, and brought with her a wealth of experience and expertise from the global market.
Surina had a clear vision for Malaysia’s digital future, and launched several strategic initiatives to realize it. She focused on four key pillars: digitally skilled Malaysians, digitally powered businesses, digital investments, and digital trust. She also championed the concept of Malaysia 5.0, a human-centric approach to digital development that aims to enhance the well-being and happiness of the people.

Under Surina’s leadership, MDEC achieved significant milestones and impacts, such as:
- Creating over 100,000 jobs and upskilling over 1.2 million Malaysians in the digital economy
- Supporting over 300,000 micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to adopt digital solutions and platforms
- Attracting over RM 20 billion of digital investments and facilitating over RM 1.6 billion of export revenue
- Establishing Malaysia as a preferred destination for global tech companies and digital talent
- Enhancing the digital infrastructure, governance, and security of the country
- Fostering a vibrant and inclusive digital ecosystem, with over 4,000 startups, 300 accelerators, and 100 co-working spaces
- Collaborating with various stakeholders, such as the government, the private sector, the academia, the civil society, and the media, to drive the digital agenda
Surina was widely respected and admired for her visionary leadership, her innovative thinking, and her collaborative spirit. She was also a role model and a mentor to many young and aspiring digital leaders, especially women and girls, whom she encouraged and inspired to pursue their dreams and passions.
A Loving Wife and Mother with a Zest for Life
Surina was not only a successful professional, but also a loving wife and mother, who balanced her work and family life with grace and joy. She married Jasmin Ong Rashid, a fellow banker and entrepreneur, in 2004, and they had three children, Ean, Arianna, and Zac, whom she adored and cherished.
Surina was a devoted and caring partner and parent, who supported her husband and children in their endeavors and interests, and shared with them her values and passions. She was also a fun and adventurous person, who enjoyed traveling, skiing, hiking, and biking with her family, and exploring new cultures and cuisines.
Surina was also a woman of faith, who believed in God and His plan for her life. She faced her illness with courage and optimism, and never gave up hope. She was grateful for the love and support of her family, friends, and colleagues, and expressed her appreciation and gratitude to them.
A Legacy to Remember and Celebrate
Surina Shukri was a remarkable woman, who lived a full and meaningful life. She touched and influenced many lives, and left a lasting legacy in the digital economy and beyond. She will be dearly missed and fondly remembered by all who knew and loved her.
As we mourn her loss and celebrate her life, let us honor her memory and continue her mission. Let us follow her example and emulate her qualities. Let us be visionary and innovative, compassionate and collaborative, passionate and resilient, and above all, human and happy.