Schwarzenegger's trip to KL for Global Transformation Forum is too short, says: 'I'll be back'

(From left) Pemandu CEO and BFR Institute managing director Idris Jala, former Bolivian president Jorge Quiroga, former New Zealand premier Helen Clark, Arnold Schwarzenegger, former Australian prime minister Kevin Rudd, Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak, Singapore Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong, Olympic sprinter Carl Lewis and International Association of Athletics Federations president Lord Sebastian Coe at the inaugural Global Transformation Forum in Kuala Lumpur. PHOTO: THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK

KUALA LUMPUR (THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK) - Action movie star Arnold Schwarzenegger is on a 48-hour whirlwind tour of Malaysia's capital Kuala Lumpur and he has not had much time to see the city which he has heard so much about.

But using his famous catchphrase, Mr Terminator, who is here to speak at the inaugural Global Transformation Forum, said: "I'll be back, Kuala Lumpur!"

He first used the line in the 1984 science fiction film The Terminator, and he has since used the same line, or a variant of it, in his subsequent movies.

The Global Transformation Forum is the first of its kind, and brings together more than 15 global key policymakers, corporate figures and experts on one stage.

The celebrity speaker is scheduled to speak on Thursday (Oct 22) on "Discipline of Action" and is likely to talk about the several stages of transformation in his life - he has been a body builder, an actor, a businessman and California governor.

Speaking to The Star, he said he was keen to explore the greener side of Malaysia.

"I want to see the beaches, the greens and the hills I have seen in pictures. I am spending less than 48 hours in Kuala Lumpur but I will be back," he said.

Schwarzenegger, who reprised his most famous movie role in the recent film Terminator Genisys, said that the changes in his career had been nothing short of dramatic and he would be sharing those stories today.

"My transformation in my career has been dramatic. It is fun going back to acting after politics," he said.

Besides talking about leadership skills, he is expected to share his various transformative initiatives, particularly on renewable energy and transportation, during his tenure.

Last night, he attended a dinner at the Nobu Restaurant at the Petronas Twin Towers, where he also met Prime Minister Najib Razak.

Aside from the former governor of California - who is a key attraction - the other speakers include Singapore's Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong, former New Zealand prime minister Helen Clark and former Australia prime minister Kevin Rudd.

Others include prominent football referee Pierluigi Collina, Olympic champion Carl Lewis and the former chairman of the 2012 London Olympic Games, Lord Sebastian Cole.

Corporate personalities include Starbucks co-founder of Starbucks Zev Siegl and AirAsia chief executive Tony Fernandes.

Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.