Singapore, 15 April, 2026 – Edelman has strengthened its Public and Government Affairs capability in Southeast Asia under the leadership of Wai Leong Tang, expanding senior advisory support for CEOs, boards and strategy leaders operating across the region.
Edelman’s Public and Government Affairs offering sits at the intersection of corporate reputation, public affairs and policy. The firm advises multinational and regional organisations on how political context, regulatory shifts and public expectations shape corporate reputation, licence to operate and business outcomes.
Based in Singapore, Wai Leong joins Edelman from H/Advisors, where he served as Head of Public Affairs for the region. As Head of Public and Government Affairs for Southeast Asia, he reports to Delicia Tan, Edelman’s CEO for Singapore, Hong Kong and Taiwan.
Speaking on the appointment, Delicia says: “As the cost of getting politics wrong rises, leaders need partners who understand how government works across this region. This expanded capability strengthens our ability to help CEOs stay ahead of risk, not just respond to it. Wai Leong brings a clear regional perspective on how these dynamics play out market by market, and how leaders can engage governments with confidence and credibility.”
Regional Leadership for a Fragmented and Politicised Business Environment
Wai Leong will work closely with Edelman’s market teams across Singapore, Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia and beyond to help organisations align regional decision-making with locally credible government engagement, recognising differing political, regulatory and stakeholder realities across markets.
This reflects a growing reality for CEOs: decisions taken at regional headquarters increasingly intersect with national policy agendas, domestic political sensitivities and fast-moving regulatory change. Public affairs can no longer be treated as a reactive or standalone function.
Under Wai Leong’s leadership, Edelman integrates government engagement, policy intelligence and policy communications into broader business and growth strategies, helping leaders anticipate risk, avoid missteps and operate with confidence amid rising scrutiny and geopolitical tension.
Speaking on his new role, Wai Leong says: “Across Southeast Asia, politics and policy are no longer peripheral issues; they are core drivers of business risk, trust and growth. Leaders today must balance regional strategy with local political realities, while demonstrating credibility with governments, regulators and the public. Our role at Edelman is to help them do that with clarity and confidence.”
Deeper Policy, Technology and Digital Risk Expertise
Supporting this capability is Senior Program Manager, Kenn Yee, who brings expertise in technology policy, AI, data governance, cybersecurity and critical information infrastructure across Asia-Pacific.
Based in Singapore, Kenn advises organisations navigating complex regulatory environments. As governments increase scrutiny over data, technology and digital infrastructure, he helps clients understand policy risk and design practical engagement strategies with regulators.
Kenn’s appointment further strengthens Edelman’s ability to translate complex policy, technology and security issues into clear, decision-ready guidance for senior leaders, ensuring public affairs strategies are technically sound and politically credible.
Purpose-Built for CEOs, Boards and Strategy Leaders
Together, Wai Leong and Kenn form part of Edelman’s strengthened Southeast Asia Public and Government Affairs capability. The focus is on strategic foresight—helping organisations engage governments earlier, align public affairs with long-term business strategy, and build durable trust across stakeholders in a more politicised and volatile environment.
SB Jang, Edelman’s Senior Regional Advisor for Public & Government Affairs, Asia-Pacific, adds: “We are delighted to welcome Wai Leong to Edelman. His leadership will be critical as organisations across Southeast Asia navigate a business environment increasingly shaped by geopolitical dynamics, trade considerations and government decision-making.”