Category Archives: Captains & Legends

An in-depth personality profile of the elites and leaders across various industries from all over the world

Captains & Legends, EZ 50 - Captains & Legends, EZ 61 (2)

Joie De Vivre 乐享人生

May 22, 2018 EZ Malaysia Leave a comment

Nelson Chew

Executive Director of Pensonic Holdings Bhd

Being sad or happy is a state of mind, and we always have the right to choose whether we want to spend our days feeling down in the dumps or happy as a lark.

A Google search on Nelson Chew of Pensonic Holdings Bhd, yielded more than ten webpages of remarkable content and images. The scion of the Pensonic empire, Chew is the second generation and youngest of the three sons of Dato’ Sri Chew Weng Khak, founder of the homegrown Penang-flavoured success story.

Often seen in the company of celebrities and socialites, Chew junior is a tour de force in the boardroom and among corporate echelons. This flamboyant Executive Director of Pensonic summarises, “Although we brothers share many roles together, my main responsibilities are leading the brand management, communications, market research, customer service and exports.”

The journey from Keat Radio to the multi-conglomerate Pensonic, was not always easy and filled with stark realities. “We lived above our retail shop where we had the opportunity to interact with customers. I remember answering phone calls and issuing cash bills even at a very young age.”

Although not purpose-built for Pensonic, the three Chew brothers always knew their destinies. “We were lucky enough to be given the freedom to select our majors. However, we always understood that our father wanted us to be in the business that he has created.”

The one thing I learned from my folks is to be a trustworthy and reputable person. Say what you mean and mean what you say. Walk the talk.

With friends the likes of Alan Yun and Amber Chia, it is hard to pin down a favourite celebrity. “Would it be too cliché if I say my favourite star is my dad, the founder of Pensonic? I see a trustworthy, hardworking, humble and very sharp person. A 30-minute conversation with him will give me the knowledge that’ll probably take me weeks to learn.”

Pensonic is dedicated to ‘Your Enjoyment’. As the corporate motto goes, Chew’s joie de vivre is infectious. “I bring my personal element of fun into whatever I do. Even selling kitchen appliances or refrigerators can be fun. If you make your work enjoyable, every moment will be good. In a nutshell, my whole life feels like a hobby.”

Pearls of wisdom from this inspiring individual come in spades. “Never be afraid to fail or lose. You need to work twice as hard for everything, focus and do more than others. Rewards will come in due time.”

悲伤或快乐只是一种精神状态，我们有权选择是否在沮丧情绪中度日，抑或像百灵鸟一样的快乐生活。

如果用谷歌搜索遍视利控股有限公司 (Pensonic Holdings Bhd) 的周俊方 (Nelson Chew)，将会发现逾10个网页中非同凡响的内容和图片。除了身为 Pensonic 王朝的后裔，并且作为槟城发家、成功故事创始者拿督斯里周荣吉的第二代，也是后者三名儿子中的幼子。

长期在社会名流的熏陶下，周俊方在董事会和企业梯队中形成一股强大的力量。这名神采奕奕的遍视利执行董事总结，虽然兄弟们共同身兼众多角色，但他的主要职责是领导品牌管理、沟通、市场研究，客户服务
和出口。

从父亲初始开创的 Keat Radio 到现今多元化的遍视利，这段旅程并非一帆风顺，其中也充斥着严峻的现实。“我们一直生活在零售店里，所以与顾客的互动非常多。我记得在很小的时候，就已经学会接电话和开现
金账单。”

我从家人那里学会要成为一名值得信赖和讲求信誉的人。说出和落实你的想法，说到做到。

虽然他们不是专为遍视利而设，但三兄弟却对于他们的命运版图思路清晰。“首先我们很幸运，可以自由选择专业。然而，心里一直都很明白，父亲希望我们继承他创办的
事业。”

拥有如著名艺人袁锦伦和谢丽萍等朋友，周俊方对于自己最喜欢的明星名人难以确认。“如果要我说，我最喜欢的明星应该是我爸爸－遍视利公司的创始人，这是否太老套？但我从他身上看到值得信赖、勤劳、谦虚、精明，务实的特点。一般上和他进行30分钟的交谈后，我可能需要几周的时间来消化和学习。

正如遍视利座右铭所强调：致力于带给顾客“您的乐享”，周俊方的生活方式也具有感染力。“无论我做什么，都带有本身的乐趣体会。甚至卖厨房用品或冰箱也能感受趣味性。如果你让工作的情绪愉快，每一分钟都是美好。简而言之，我的一生都像是体验自己的爱好。”

智慧的妙语如珠激励人心。不要害怕失败或失去，你需要加倍努力工作，集中精力比别人做得更多，并且将在适当的时刻获得回报。

By Billie Ooi-Ng Lean Gaik

EZ 49 - Captains & Legends

Capturing Elasticity 百折不挠

January 10, 2018 EZ Malaysia Leave a comment

Teoh Han Chuan
Co-founder & Managing Director of Elianware

“I was a very smart kid and placed top three during my primary school days and since then my ambition has always been to become a businessman.”

Cramped in a wooden hut, became a problem student during his teenage years and slept on the streets just on some newspaper were some of the fond memories of Teoh Han Chuan when he shared his life story with EZ Malaysia. Today he sits as the deputy managing director of a listed company SWS Capital Berhad.

“I was a very smart kid and placed top three during my primary school days and since then my ambition has always been to become a businessman.“ said Teoh. He was from a very poor family who lived in a small wooden hut. Thus, he opined that only by being a businessman could he make a lot of money and provide for a better life. However, his grades went from excellent to horrible when he was in secondary school and he eventually became a problem student. “Maybe it was because I was ashamed of my situation where my mother worked as a washerwoman and the uniforms I wore were from thrown aways with only my school badge added on.” he said. After Form Five, Teoh left for Singapore where he spent the first few days sleeping in the streets. Initially it was difficult, but as he recalled, it was actually an important turning point in his life that led to a fresh start.

Some years later, Teoh returned to Penang and took up a salesman job in a plastic manufacturing company. He had to travel everywhere, whether to big cities or kampungs. It was the beginning of his love affair with plastic. Perhaps the other milestone in Teoh’s endeavor was when Heng Sew Hua offered him a partnership to start a new company. Initially he hesitated. He went to his immediate boss to ask for a raise instead but the answer he received woke him up and reminded him of his dream of becoming a businessman. “My boss told me that as a worker, I had no right to ask for a raise. Then he later went on to remind me that the economy was not that good and I might not get another job with such salary.” Teoh said he would not have had such an achievement today if his former boss had not push him over the cliff. “Although I left and started a plastic manufacturing company, I did not produce the same items and in fact I continued to help in his sales for the first few months until his new salesman was stable.” he continued.

“The market in Malaysia is competitive and as we are gaining local consumers’ confidence, I told myself why only Malaysia when the world is so big?”

Teoh became a businessman in 1993 fulfilling his childhood dream. When Ee-Lian Enterprise Sdn. Bhd. was incorporated. Some years later, his business expanded from a little shop house in Penang island to acquiring land in Bukit Minyak Industrial Park. He was quick to understand that the plastic industry was very competitive and most, if not all, manufacturers were trying to capture the market through fierce price wars. Having much experience in sales, Teoh was very focused in creating his own brand, a trusted brand that would convince customers to purchase good quality plastic wares and not cheap productions. Furthermore, he put in efforts in researching and developing more interesting items that consumers would find useful, also Ee-Lian Enterprise was the very first company to participate in exhibitions overseas. “The market in Malaysia is competitive and as we are gaining local consumers’ confidence, I asked myself why only Malaysia when the world is so big?” It was a well planned strategy and today Eelianware can be found in over 30 countries. But for Teoh, this is only an appetizer and the main course is yet to come.

Fascinated with what plastic can do and its potential, Teoh believes that there is still plenty of potential market growth. In order to succeed, one needs a good and dedicated team. Teoh believes in three important points to retaining loyal workers. First, it is to allow workers and staff to see growth paths in their careers and a purpose to stay with the company. Second, to provide them with a sense of security as most of them have commitments to their families. Finally, it has a lot to do with self belonging, by treating each and everyone like family. “Teamwork is important and we are very proud to say that only 15 workers from middle to top management left since we started this company and that was more than 30 years ago.”

Lastly, when asked what Teoh has as a hobby, he candidly said his hobby is to work and grow the company especially now that his company has branches. The listed company SWS Capital has more reasons to expand. However, he finds time to be with his family and does not forget to always give back to the society.

栖居于拥挤的小木屋、十几岁成了问题学生、露宿街头以报纸当床，SWS 资本有限公司 (SWS Capital Berhad) 董事经理张汉川娓娓而谈他美好的回忆，和 EZ 马来西亚分享他的人生故事。

“我算是聪明的孩子，小学时的排名都在前三名内，那时候，我的梦想就是成为一名成功的企业家。” 张汉川诞生于清贫家庭，简陋小木屋是一家六口的栖居之所。因此，他认为只有当一名商人才能赚更多钱、过上更好的生活。然而上中学后，他的成绩却一落千丈，最终成了问题学生。“也许是因为我对母亲是一名洗衣女工、我只能穿别人丢弃只剩校徽是完整的旧制服的状况觉得羞愧。” 中五毕业后，张汉川南下新加坡寻找工作机会，开始几天都只能露宿街头。万事起头难，但正如他回忆那样，这实际上是他人生中一个重要的转折点，新的起始。

“马来西亚市场竞争激烈，我们的产品也嬴得本地消费者的信心，我决定放眼国际市场。”

几年后，张汉川回到槟城，在一家塑料公司担任推销员。他走遍大城小镇去推销产品，这也是他与塑料 ‘相恋’ 的开始。张汉川的努力带来了另一个里程碑，当时亿联企业的另一名推手王少华问他是否愿意携手创业。起初他很犹豫，同时也向上司要求加薪，但他得到的答案让他惊醒并想起成为企业家的梦想。“老板说我作为一名工人，没有要求加薪的权利，后来又提醒我说现在经济不太好，不容易找到另外一份工作。” 他很感激的表示，如果后者没把他推向悬崖，他也不会有今天的成就。“虽然我离开了那家塑料公司，但我没有生产相同的产品，离职后的前几个月我还有继续帮他推销产品，直到他新的推销员可以接手工作。” 他续说。

1993年，张汉川成立了亿联企业（马）有限公司，实现了自己童年成为一名企业家的梦想。几年后，他公司的业务从槟城的一间小店扩展到武吉美雅工业区的大型工厂。张汉川也明白塑料业的竞争非常激烈，有过多年销售经验的他决定打造自己的品牌，一个值得信赖、可以说服顾客购买的高品质塑料制品，而不是一般的廉价品。他也花费研究和开发研究有趣兼实用的产品以满足客户的需求，亿联企业更是第一家参加海外展览会的公司。“马来西亚市场竞争激烈，我们的产品也嬴得本地消费者的信心，我决定放眼国际市场。” 随着精心的策略，如今 “伊恋汇” 产品遍布全球30多个国家。但对他来说，这只是一个开始，他的收获成果还没到来。

“我算是聪明的孩子，小学时的排名都在前三名内，那时候，我的梦想就是成为一名成功的企业家。”

张汉川认为，塑料还是深具潜能，市场仍然有很大的发展空间。而优秀敬业的团队，是公司迈向成功的关键。张汉川相信，培养员工的凝聚力和忠诚度有3大重点，首先必须赋予员工目标和成就感，其次是安全感，最后则是归宿感。“团队合作精神非常重要，我们可以非常自豪的说，自公司成立30多年以来，只有15位中高级管理人员离职过。”

最后，被问及有什么爱好时，张汉川笑称工作和让公司有更好的发展和就是他的爱好，尤其是公司现与上市公司SWS资本合并，是有扩大的理由。当然，闲暇时他仍会和家人同过，也不忘记持续回馈社会。

Captains & Legends, EZ 49 - Captains & Legends

Top of the Food Chain 味蕾顶峰

January 10, 2018 EZ Malaysia Leave a comment

Winner of MasterChef Australia 2017
2017年澳大利亚顶级厨师冠军

It’s all about pushing boundaries. Do something different. Don’t be safe.

The little girl watched as her mother cooked, brewed and worked the wok in the kitchen, surrounded by herbs and juicy ingredients. She was never allowed to do the important tasks or even near the bubbling stove. As she stood there watching and absorbing with her big and beautiful eyes, nobody would have guessed she would one day take the grand trophy of MasterChef Australia 2017.

The air was galvanised when one million viewers watched judge Matt Preston award Diana Chan 9/10 for her dessert, just one point ahead of her toughest competitor. As the confetti rained down, Diana Chan, MasterChef Australia 2017 held the trophy jubilantly in her hands.

“I’ve always loved food. Mum is a Nyonya (Straits Chinese) from Singapore, while Dad and grandma are from Penang, Malaysia.”

At 19, Diana landed in Melbourne to pursue her tertiary education in accountancy. “I had a good palate and I wanted to enjoy great food but could not afford to eat out all the time. So I headed out to Camberwell market and immediately fell in love with the fresh produce, the sights, sounds and aroma of the market. I got very inspired. Didn’t know how to cook but I never stopped trying until I got better. Watching a lot of cooking shows helped too.”

While her true inspirations are her parents, Diana quoted a few favourite chefs. “I watch a lot of Yotam Ottolenghi. He reminds me of my mum who is herb-driven and uses a lot of vegetable. Simple to replicate but very tasty. George Calombaris is a progressive chef, who is very passionate about his restaurant The Press Club while I learned how to try different things from Anthony Bourdain.”

Remember your core values and be proud of your heritage. People can see through you if you are trying to be someone else

Diana wooed MasterChef judges with her spatchcock and abalone in green juice, oatmeal prawns in creamy curry sauce and a near-perfect creation of the Kirsten Tibballs dessert. “I just broke down and cried after my last cook. The pressure was so high, I was overwhelmed.”

To all the 2018 contestants, “It’s all about pushing boundaries. Do something different. Don’t be safe. At the same time, manage your expectations. And I always say get a lot of sleep. The hours are long and mentally stressful, as in any winning kitchen.”

Basking in the light of champions, Diana sees a restaurant in the pipeline. “Three things resonate with me – wholesome, fresh and fusion. These are the things I look for in a dish. I want to have a lot of input in the menu so that people can associate me with my food. With my accounting background, I plan to manage the business side too.”

While taking in all this publicity and success, Diana is also quick to give back to the society. Close to her heart is beyondblue, a non-profit organisation working to address issues like depression, anxiety disorders and related mental disorders.

“My dad’s best friend once said to me, ‘Never lose your compass’. Never forget who you are and where you come from. Remember your core values and be proud of your heritage. People can see through you if you are trying to be someone else.”

一切都是为了突破界限。做些不一样的尝试，不要太固守自封。

一个小女孩看着妈妈以娴熟的手艺在厨房里转悠着，锅炉周边飘散着香料酱汁的浓郁味道。但她从未被委以重要的烹饪工序，甚至不被允许靠近冒着热气的炉子。当她站在那里以美丽大眼睛凝望这一切，没人能想到有一天她会拿下 2017 年澳大利亚顶级厨师的冠军奖杯。

这个拥有100万观众屏息观赏的厨艺竞赛，当评判 Matt Preston 为她所制作的甜点打下9分（满分10分）的时候，气氛完全被引爆，因为这个分数只比她最强力的对手高出1分。五颜六色彩带雨点般落下时，澳大利亚大厨晨爱琳 (Diana Chan) 捧起奖杯脸上挂着圆满的笑容。

“我一直热爱美味的食物。妈妈来自新加坡，是娘惹的后裔（海峡华人），而爸爸和祖母则是出生在马来西亚的槟城。”

晨爱琳19岁的时候移居墨尔本，攻读高校的会计专业。“我一向味觉比较灵敏，享受美食的乐趣，但并非所有的食物都吃得起。于是我去了Camberwell市场，立即爱上那些新鲜的农产品，而市场的景象、声音和香味使我得到启发。虽然对于烹煮还是一知半解，但我一直尝试到成功为止，当然观看很多烹饪节目也是蛮好的一种方式。”

即使她真正的灵感源自父母，但也推荐了一些心仪的厨师。“我看了很多 Yotam Ottolenghi 的美食节目。他让我想起了我母亲，善于运用香草和蔬菜搭配，非常简单易学，但味道很好。至于 George Calombaris 是一位勇于进取的厨师，他对自己的餐厅 The Press Club 充满激情；而我也在 Anthony Bourdain 的身上学习尝试不一样的东西和接受挑战。”

记住你的核心价值观，为自己的传统感到骄傲。如果你想成为别人，非常容易被看穿。

至于晨爱琳在顶级厨师大赛中呈现给评判烤鸡和鲍鱼配绿果汁，奶油咖喱麦片虾和近乎完美的 Kirsten Tibballs 甜点制作。“我只是在最后一次完成烹饪后哭了，那时被强烈的心理压力淹没。”

而她要给予 2018 年参赛者的建议: “一切都是为了突破界限。做些不一样的尝试，不要太固守自封。同时，管理好自己的预期，我总是说确保睡眠必须充足，在任何赢取胜利的厨房里，时间漫长且精神紧绷。”

在冠军光芒笼罩下，晨爱琳勾画了理想餐厅。“健康、新鲜和融合是我产生共鸣的3个重点。这些是我菜肴的特色，我想在菜单上有类似灌输，这样大家可以将我和我的食物联系起来。另外，也计划管理业务，让我的专业学以致用。”

随着大量宣传曝光和尝到成功滋味的同时，晨爱琳也迅速回馈社会。她的奉献目标是 beyondblue，一个致力于解决抑郁症、焦虑症和相关精神障碍等社会问题的非盈
利组织。

“我父亲最好的朋友曾经对我说：永远不要失去你的指南针。不要忘记你是谁和来自哪里，记住你的核心价值观，为自己的传统感到骄傲。如果你想成为别人，非常容易被看穿。”

By Billie Ooi-Ng Lean Gaik

EZ 49 - Captains & Legends

The Art of Water & Colour 水与彩的艺术

January 10, 2018 EZ Malaysia Leave a comment

Khoo Cheang Jin
Artist 艺术家

“The unique features in George Town is familiar to me as I can imagine what goes on behind the walls of these shophouses. This neighbourhood is where we played, lived and slept. So, it’s only natural that this familiarity is almost an instinctive one.”

“乔治市的独特之处是一景一物皆如此清晰，我可以想象到这些店屋墙壁后构造是什么。这一带是我们玩耍、生活和睡觉的地方。所以，这种熟悉感对我来说几乎是本能。”

Do not be fooled by the unassuming and demure appearance of Penang artist Khoo Cheang Jin. Behind it all, this watercolour master represents not only a living symbolism of Penang’s finest works but also reveals the tale of the city’s cultural, historical and social influences. While Cheang Jin may have started using watercolour since his high school years, he was reignited with his interest again after completing his degree in architecture from University of New South Wales, Australia. After a 5-year stint as an architect in Singapore, he returned to Penang in 1996, which marked a significant turning point in his life. He co-founded URBAN SKETCHER Penang with artist friend Ch’ng Kiah Kiean to start a non-profit organisation originally from Seattle, America. Dedicated to raising the artistic, storytelling and educational value of location drawing, it has also connected people from around the world who draw where they live and travel.

Cheang Jin held his childhood life close to his heart. One of the fondest moments growing up was living with his family in one of the shophouses on Lebuh Melayu, now part of the UNESCO Heritage site and one of the most unique streets in the world.

Greatly influenced by other prominent watercolour masters – Tan Choon Ghee and Yong Mun Sen – Cheang Jin brought alive the streetscapes of George Town and to wherever he would travel for that matter.

“Each building has a story to tell. Especially in Penang, shophouses still keep the original name boards long after changing the nature of their business. The remnants of the past is rich,” added Khoo.

While Cheang Jin’s confidence and skill continues to grow, his techniques have also gradually developed into bolder strokes using brighter colours. Armed with 10 solo exhibitions to date, he still paints on paper usually seen through the thinness of the transparent watercolour – a signature of his artworks. His art reflects emotion more than the precision of the subject matter. The process is in freeing the mind – capturing nostalgic moments as well as the texture of man-made structures alongside nature’s decrepit elements.

“The danger when it comes to capturing a scene or event is when my paintings start to look too detailed – like a photo shot with a camera. I want to avoid details and let my viewers feel the space and perhaps even trigger childhood memories.”

“The danger when it comes to capturing a scene or event is when my paintings start to look too detailed – like a photo taken with a camera. I want to avoid details and let my viewers feel the space and perhaps even trigger childhood memories.”

Attracted by the hustle and bustle revolving around these heritage structures, the tension created while painting on site can never be compared to painting in a studio. He recalled the days he spent documenting the 9 Emperor Gods Festival at the temple located on Burma Road, Penang.

“I spent 6 out of the 9 days at the temple sketching and painting the activities there. Everyone has a role to play at the festival, including me. What truly fascinates me is the synergy between the structure and the people and I work to capture the atmosphere of everyone going around in their business.”

Cheang Jin has gone through a phase of overworking the subject resulting in stiffness – capturing lifelessness more than the events’ movements and atmospheres. He set aside to change that very notion by practising speedy sketches and painting, which was prominent in his works at his two solo exhibitions at Galeri Seni Mutiara, Penang titled “Somewhere in Time” and “Penang, My Penang 2” in 2016.

Cheang Jin continues to serve as President of the Penang Water Colour Society. He is also a signature member of the National Watercolour Society in America, Penang Art Society and Malaysian Watercolour Society. Over the years, he has garnered the Young Artist Award at the Penang Museum and Art Gallery Annual Art Exhibition. In 1994, he was given the Youth Art Excellence Award in Singapore.

千万不要被邱昌仁谦逊沉稳的外表所迷惑。其实这位出生在槟城的水彩画大师不仅是槟城最优秀的鲜活创作象征，还展现了这座城市的文化、历史和社会传承故事。尽管从高中时代起，他就开始迷恋水彩画，而在澳大利亚新南威尔士大学完成建筑学位后，他的画魂又重新点燃了。

在新加坡从事建筑师行业 5 年后，邱昌仁于 1996 年重返槟城，这可说是他人生的一个重要转折点。他与同是艺术家的朋友庄嘉强共同创立了槟城 Urban Sketchers，这是一个最初创始于美国西雅图的非营利性组织，这项以描绘地理位置为重点的绘画艺术所引伸的细致叙事和教育价值，使世界各地的人们更亲密接触他们生活或旅行的地方。

他的童年生活紧贴着柔软内心。在他的成长过程中，最美妙的时刻之一是和家人住在台牛后巷 (Lebuh Melayu) 一所老店屋里，目前这里是联合国教科文组织文化遗产的一部分，也是世界上最独特的街道之一。

由于深受著名水彩画大师陈存义和杨曼生的影响，邱昌仁把乔治市街景和他旅行足迹所及的地方都刻画在作品里。

“每个建筑都叙述着各自的故事。尤其是在槟城，即使在改变业务性质后，店屋依旧保留着原来的名称招牌，过去的遗迹显得如此丰富多彩。”

尽管本身的自信和技能在不断增长，个人技术也趋向大胆和利用更明亮的色彩。他至今举办过10次个人画展，但仍然在纸上作画，通常是以清澈的水彩画标志性创作方式。邱昌仁反映出情感超越主题的精确性。这个过程为散发思维—捕捉怀旧的时刻，传达人造结构的纹理和自然的朽迹元素。

“如果在描绘场景或某个活动的创作看起来过于仔细，就像相机拍摄的照片一样，这是蛮危险的。我必须避免太细节化，这才能使人们感受到空间，甚至触发童年记忆。”

他被一些传统建筑周边喧嚣构图所吸引，他认为在画室里创作永远无法与现场作画时的紧张感与张力相比，并回忆起曾在“九皇大帝”庆典期间在槟城车水路寺庙里作画的日子。

“长达9天的庆典，我花了6天时间在寺庙里勾勒活动场景素描。每个人都在庆典里扮演着各自角色，包括我。真正让我着迷的是结构和人们之中的协同作用，我努力捕捉人们专注日常，举手投足间的生动氛围。”

邱昌仁经历了过度创作一些僵硬主题导致停滞不前的阶段，枯燥无味多于活力盛会和氛围。为了扭转上述局面，他开始加强速写和绘画，2016年在槟城珍珠画廊举行的两次个人画展：“时间的某处”和“槟城，我的槟城2”尤其突出类似概念。

另外，他将继续担任槟城水彩画协会主席。同时也是美国国家水彩画协会、槟城艺术协会和马来西亚水彩画协会的重要成员。多年来，他在槟城博物馆和艺术画廊年度艺术展览会上获得了青年艺术家奖，并在1994年荣获新加坡青年艺术优秀奖。

by Monica Tong

EZ 48 - Captains & Legends, EZ 61 (2)

Beauty Lies in the Magic of the Ordinary 美丽盛放的平凡魔法

November 9, 2017 EZ Malaysia Leave a comment

Khairudin Zainudin
Artist 艺术家

“My ideas are transcribed directly from my mind, my hands and to abstract painting.”

Salvador Dali, the prominent surrealist Spanish artist once said: “We are all hungry and thirsty for concrete images. Abstract art will have been good for one thing: to restore its exact virginity to figurative art.”

This quote rings some truths to what UiTM Masters in Fine Arts graduate Khairudin Zainudin may just be trying to capture since the beganing of his professional career as an artist. Inspired and mentored by Suzlee Ibrahim, this Kelantanese artist is famous for his graphite sketching in capturing figure movements.

While there may only be a one-dimensional observation for many of us, Zainudin has taken his talent towards a more voyeuristic capacity towards the mundane – by capturing strokes of movements made by his subjects that unfold in just a single piece of artwork. He cherishes every moments spent in the public documenting the ordinary. And most of the time, it is his inquisitive mind guessing a person’s story that captures extraordinary visuals on a single canvas.

What began as a pastime in 2008 observing and sketching people in their daily lives gradually becomes his obsession towards documenting movements. His countless sketches speak of the stillness amidst the surrounding chaos that are also invigorating and dynamic. Following four solo exhibitions in Tai Chung, Art Taipei, Art Kaoshiung and ArtStage Singapore, Zainudin is fast developing his technique creating day-to-day visuals by overlapping simple yet active lines. He was also part of numerous group shows in Kuala Lumpur including the Prudential Malaysian Eye exhibition and READrawing at Galeri Petronas.

“I want to draw perfect figures but in a minimalised form. So, by using the power and the quality of line, I can further add movements and expand the ideas on my sketches.”

There’s a fine line between a well-composed painting and sketches although Zainudin seems to live in the world between. His spontaneity expands to a certain freedom found in abstract expressionist.

“My ideas are transcribed directly from my mind, my hands and into abstract painting,” added Zainudin. The composition of the images are set the moment the first line appears on a sketch and has been one of the selling points for his artwork.

“I want to draw perfect figures but in a minimalised form. So, by using the power and the quality of line, I can further add movements and expand the ideas on my sketches.”

His most recent creation is in finding the balance between two primer colours – Red and Black. “These two colours cannot really blend together because of the contrasting effect. The challenge is to find the balance between the two, and objectively, communicate the intimate relationship between the artist and the medium used in creating the final artwork.”

Zainudin awakes a sense of wonder and curiosity that encapsulates pockets of memories of the subjects’ histories within each sketch – a diary of the hustle and bustle of life and how it feels to be directly involved in it. He has opened the door to all of us on the fast lane – to focus on someone and spend a few moments blocking out all that is happening around the subject. This activity gave us a glimpse into his world where beauty is in the ordinary.

There’s a fine line between a well-composed painting and sketches although Zainudin seems to live in the world between. His spontaneity expands to a certain freedom found in abstract expressionist.

“I want to draw perfect figures but in a minimalised form. So, by using the power and the quality of line, I can further add movements and expand the ideas on my sketches.”

“我想要以极简的形式绘出完美的人物。因此，通过力量和有质感的线条，我可以进一步增加动作步骤，并在草图上拓展观点。”

知名的西班牙超现实主义艺术家 Salvador Dali 曾说过:“我们都渴望得到具体的图像构造。可是抽象艺术却有一个最大的亮点：将具象艺术恢复到最原始状态。”

这个想法对于在玛拉工艺大学（UiTM）取得硕士学位的 Khairudin Zainudin 来说，是他开始艺术创作生涯以来，不断试图捕捉的事实与真理。在 Suzlee Ibrahim 的启蒙和指导下，这名吉兰丹出生的艺术家擅长以石墨素描勾勒人物举动神态。

对于许多人来说，这可能只是一个片面维度的观察，但 Zainudin 的才能却引领了更深入的窥探技巧—在单一作品中开展快速捕捉主题动作神态。他珍惜在公共场合的每一分钟，记录着日常平凡的事物，并通过他的画笔截取定格这些画面。大部分时刻，他也出于好奇心揣测每一个人的故事。

从 2008 年开始，他对于观察人们和展开素描产生浓厚兴趣，作为有趣的消遣活动，他速写描绘了在浑沌周围之中的一片寂静，紊乱中也充满着振奋和活力。而在历经台中、台北艺术节、高雄艺术节和艺术登陆新加坡的四场个人画展之后，Zainudin 快速磨练本身趋向纯熟的创作技巧，以简单而活跃的叠加线条创造日常的视觉效果。他还参与了吉隆坡举行的团体展出，包括在 Galeri Petronas 举行的 Prudential Malaysian Eye 和 READrawing 艺术展会。

在精心创作的画作和素描之间有一个细微的界线，而 Zainudin 似乎伫立于这个世界之间。他的自发性扩展达到抽象表现主义的某种自由境界。

“想法直接从脑部传递，我的手勾勒出抽象画。”而在草图上显示的第一笔线条之创作构图，是他作品的卖点之一。

“我想要以极简的形式绘出完美的人物。”因此，通过力量和有质感的线条，我可以进一步增加动作步骤，并在草图上拓展观点。”

他最近的创作显示在红色和黑色这两种底色之间找到了平衡。由于对比效应，这两种颜色无法真正的混合。所谓的挑战是在两者之间寻找平衡点，并客观地传达艺术家与创作最终作品媒介之间的亲密关系。

Zainudin 唤醒了一种惊叹和奇妙的感受，其中囊括了每个素描的描绘人物历史记忆的口袋—一本关于喧嚣和忙碌生活的日记，以及是如何直接参与其中的感觉。他以快节奏的方式为我们所有人敞开了一扇门—专注于某个人，花几分钟的时间来倾听围绕这个主题发生的一切。这也让我们得以一瞥他的世界，在这里，平凡中绽放的美丽无处不在。

by Monica Tong

EZ 48 - Captains & Legends, EZ 61 (2)

Trailblazing a way for tradition 开创传统新局面

November 9, 2017 EZ Malaysia Leave a comment

Dato’ Ar Ooi Sian Hian
Ghee Hiang Executive Chairman
义香董事主席

“We are a traditional biscuit maker, that’s our core strength that we will continue to build on.”

Ghee Hiang is a household name for many in Malaysia and Southeast Asia, particularly for its fragrant sesame oil but this 161-year-old company does not only produce sesame oil but had in fact, started out as a traditional pastry maker. This is the company that first introduced the traditional tau sar pneah and till today, continue to lead the way in manufacturing fresh quality handmade pastries.

Heading Ghee Hiang is its Executive Chairman Dato’ Ar Ooi Sian Hian who said it is time for the traditional pastry company to renew and capture the interests of the younger generation through a different strategy and

invigorating marketing style. The trained architect decided to bring changes to the company, the first of which is to introduce new and beautiful packaging for the products. “We are a traditional biscuit maker, that’s our other core strength that we will continue to build on and we have to continue to project our living heritage image through our packaging so that our customers can distinguish and continue coming back to us,” he said.

Another way is to concept-theme its various newer boutique outlets and more importantly restore Ghee Hiang’s original shop at 95 Beach Street to turn back time and return the building to its former traditional look. “We want to bring back the aura and feel of the olden days so that when people come to Ghee Hiang, it is not about buying pastries but about immersing in our local culture, our history and tradition that was entrenched for over 160 years,” he said.

“Ghee Hiang is going through a transformation to bring our handmade traditional pastries outside of Malaysia.”

There are plans to introduce Ghee Hiang pastries to the international market. “Ghee Hiang is going through a mapped series of transformations to bring our handmade traditional pastries outside of Malaysia,” Dato’ Ooi said. Other than its sesame oil and pastries, Ghee Hiang Group, under Dato’ Ooi’s leadership, has branched out into property development in Ghee Hiang Gardens, Green Lane Penang and most recently, ventured into its first ever lifestyle eatery -Teels Heritage Cafe. The cafe not only serves unique British Malaya inspired meals but introduces hot-from-the-oven Ghee Hiang pastries for a different experience.

Ghee Hiang first made its name all those years ago when people would queue outside its shop along Beach Street to be the first to grab some of its hot-from-the-oven pastries. Now, the pastries sold, though freshly baked daily, have been cooled before individually packed and sealed to maintain freshness in compliance to Food Safety Management standards. The novelty of the hot-from-the-oven pastries were lost and Teels is there to bring it back. “We want people to distinctively experience savouring our pastries fresh, fragrant and hot from the oven again,” he said.

Ghee Hiang has been around since 1856 and under Dato’ Ooi’s capable leadership, the group’s direction is heading towards many more decades of carving a name for itself in the food and beverage industry as a manufacturer and also an industry leader.

It is not only all business and profit for Dato’ Ooi. It is also about giving back to society and that is why Ghee Hiang signed a memorandum of agreement with KDU Penang College University in a scholarship collaboration to help students particularly in the field of Culinary Arts & Hospitality. It is a RM150,000 three-year collaboration in which Dato’ Ooi in addition had personally contributed RM60,000. “Education is very important and we believe it is our moral obligation and duty to give back to society through this collaboration with KDU,” he said.

“作为传统的糕饼制造商，这是我们的另一项核心力量，必须持续建设。”

义香-是马来西亚甚至东南亚家喻户晓的名号，尤其是金字招牌的义香麻油。但这家已有161年悠久历史的老字号公司不仅生产麻油，实际上同时还有着闻名的手工制作传统酥饼。而距离他们首次引进传统的豆沙饼至今，仗着新鲜优质的手工酥饼，口碑销量一直在市场上遥遥领先。

领航义香的董事主席拿督Ar黄先贤认为，现在是传统糕饼行业更新思维的时刻，尤其是通过新鲜策略和活力营销方式来吸引年轻一代的兴趣。而这位专业建筑师也决定给公司带来改变，首先是为产品引入全新亮眼的包装。“作为传统的糕饼制造商，这是我们的另一项核心力量，必须持续建设，并且透过代表性的包装来展示我们作为活古迹的形态，这样客户就能区分开来，也是保持他们对这品牌的忠诚度。”

“另一种方式是将我们的精品门店翻新为主题概念化，恢复义香当年在土库街 95 号的原始店铺风情，我们想让时光倒流，重现传统朴实的面貌。尤其是尽量修复酝酿过去的氛围和感觉，所以当人们来到义香时，不仅是买酥饼点心，而是沉浸在传统文化思绪，这是超越 160 年的历史时光隧道。”

至于有关将义酥饼糕点引入国际市场的计划。“义香正在历经一系列的改造进程，把我们手工制作的传统酥饼带到马来西亚以外的地方。”除了麻油和酥饼外，在拿督黄先贤的领导下也涉足房地产开发领域，包括义香集团属下的義香花园、槟城青草巷和最近名为 Teels Heritage Café 咖啡馆餐厅。这个首家品质生活方式的咖啡馆不仅提供独特的英国马来式混搭美食菜单，而且还重点介绍现场烘焙的义香招牌酥饼。

“义香正在历经一系列的改造进程，把我们手工制作的传统酥饼带到马来西亚以外的地方。”

义香打响名号是源于许多年前，当人们在土库街的店铺外大排长龙，只为了购买新鲜出炉的热腾腾酥饼。直至现在，这些酥饼点心虽然依旧新鲜出炉，但为了遵守食品安全管理的保鲜度标准，在历经独立包装和密封之前已经冷却。而从烤箱里拿出来的酥饼丢失了热度，但 Teels Heritage Café 则将唤回原有的温度记忆。“我们希望大家能有独特的体验，可以再次品尝刚从烤箱中直接出炉，香气扑鼻而温热的酥饼点心。”

义香自 1856 年起就伴随着大家，而在黄先贤英明领导下，该集团正朝着数十载的长远方向发展，作为饮食行业的领头羊，也为制造商和业内领导者树立榜样。

至于黄先贤不只是关注商业和盈利，他也不忘社会公益，其中义香与槟城伯乐学院大学（KDU）签署了一份奖学金协作的备忘录，以帮助学生们在烹饪艺术和餐饮酒店服务的课程学习。在这项 3 年投入 15 万令吉的计划之外，他个人附加奉献了 6 万令吉。“教育非常重要，这也是我们的道德义务和责任，相信通过与伯乐学院的合作将极大化的回馈社会。”

EZ 48 - Captains & Legends, EZ 61 (2)

Trip the Light Artistic 点亮艺术之旅

November 9, 2017 EZ Malaysia Leave a comment

Dato’ Kenny Tan
Group Executive Chairman of Ken Holdings Bhd
高胜控股执行主席

“We must mix and match the old and young talents. We can always learn a lot from the new generation.”

‘Mottainai’ is a Japanese exclamation that conveys regret over waste. Listed as one of their corporate core values, Ken Holdings Bhd is Malaysia’s multiple award-winning green developer, and an important component of the Kuala Lumpur Stock Exchange. Not a bad show for someone who describes himself as a young and die-hard upstart businessman in the early 80s. Today as group executive chairman of Ken Holdings Bhd, Dato’ Kenny Tan is still the genteel, modest and earnest person that he was decades ago but with added impact, wisdom and even more humility. Heavily invested in social and environmental responsibilities, this real estate mogul shares, “We strive to remain aware of our effect on the environment, and in the spirit of Mottainai, embrace sustainable practices to prudently and wisely use our resources.”

Operating from his plush office on the 12th floor of Menara KEN TTDI, Ken Holdings continues to make its mark as a leader in green building design. What started as a specialist engineering firm in 1980, branched out to construction, development and finally, the coveted listing. “It has always been my aim to get the company onto the KLSE.” With projects all over Malaysia, Ken Holdings is proud to call Menara Ken TTDI, Ken Bangsar, Ken Damansara, Ken Aman, Ken Rimba (current), Ken Kota Bahru and Ken Johor Bahru, their own. His successes can be attributed to a singularly firm principle – “You promise, you have to deliver” – heavyweight words from a real estate developer.

With the KLSE buckle firmly on his belt, and Ken Holdings operating like a well-oiled machine, Dato’ Kenny Tan is delivering more than prestigious homes and smart commercial spaces these days. An avid and discerning collector, great patron and supporter of the arts, Tan recently launched Ken Gallery at Menara KEN. The 20,000-sq-ft art space houses his private collection and an impressive display of local and foreign works. “I have been collecting art for more than 30 years, mainly Chinese paintings, ceramics and antiques. Previously, most of my acquisitions were kept in stores, my home and office. I am hoping to strengthen my collection as well as show more of Malaysian art through Ken Gallery.”

As a conservationist in nature and art works, Dato Kenny Tan is also a keen restorer and philanthropist. Ken Foundation represents a charity arm that provides scholarships for deserving students to study architecture, business, art restoration, marketing and human resource.

“I think the Malaysian art industry is in neglect. Malaysian artists are not earning what they should. It’s better now but in the early 70s, Latiff Mohidin’s Pago Pago was only sold for RM20,000”, says this art enthusiast who once modelled for Ahmad Zakii in one of his paintings.

Zakii may have immortalised Dato’ Tan in a painting, but his son Sam Tan stands in good stead to carry on Tan senior’s legacy at Ken Holdings Bhd. With an engineering and law background, Sam is at the helm of the company as managing director. The proud father shares, “Doubtless, I will continue to work for as long as I can but we must mix and match the old and young talents. We can always learn a lot from the new generation.”

“もったいない”这句日文感叹语是表达对于浪费所造成的遗憾。高胜控股（Ken Holdings Bhd）是马来西亚屡屡获奖的绿色概念开发商，同时是吉隆坡证券交易所的上市机构。对于自称是 80 年代初期崛起，年轻而顽固的新贵商人来说，其实这算是相当出色的业绩演出。如今，作为高胜控股执行主席，拿督陈文江仍然保持十年前温雅、谦虚和认真的作风，但他累积了影响力、睿智和豁达。在回馈社会和环境责任方面，这位房地产大亨也分享了他的理念。“我们努力维持对于环境影响的高度意识，本着“もったいない”的精神，接受可持续的做法，谨慎而明智地使用我们的资源。”

从位于 Ken TTDI（敦依斯迈花园）大厦 12 楼的豪华办公室开始，高胜控股继续引领着绿色建筑设计的延伸。1980年，一家专业工程公司历经了从建设、开发到最终挂牌上市。“让公司得以在吉隆坡证券交易所上市一直是我的目标。”而纵观马来西亚所有的房地产发展项目中，高胜控股自身引以为傲的发展计划包括：Menara Ken TTDI、Ken Bangsar、Ken Damansara、Ken Aman、Ken Rimba（近期），Ken Kota Bahru 和 Ken Johor Bahru。他的成功归结为一个不可撼动的原则—“你承诺了，就必须完成与交付”，这是来自房地产开发商的重量级宣言。

随着成为吉隆坡证券交易所的上市公司，他也丝毫没有松懈，高胜控股的全盘运营更犹如效率奇高的精密机械转动着。另外，拿督陈文江目前交付实践的不仅是著名房产计划和精明规划的商业空间，他同时也是一名热心的收藏家，艺术赞助与支持者，他最近在 Menara Ken 创办了 Ken Gallery。这个 2 万平方公尺的艺术空间收纳了他的私人收藏，并展示当地和国外作品。“我收藏艺术品逾 30 年，主要是中国画、陶瓷品和古董。”以前，他收购的大部分珍藏品都是在商库、家里和办公室内存放，但他希望继续深化收藏质量，并通过 Ken Gallery 尽情展现马来西亚艺术。

除了是自然生态和艺术的保护主义者，陈文江也是修复者和慈善家。他所创立的Ken 基金会为那些在建筑、商业、艺术修复、市场营销和人力资源相关的优秀学生们提供奖学金。“我认为马来西亚的艺术领域被忽视了，艺术家们无法获得相应的回馈。虽然现在有点改善，但在70年代初期， Latiff Mohidin 的名作 Pago-Pago 仅卖出2万令吉。另外，这位艺术狂热者还曾成为知名艺术家 Ahmad Zakii 画笔下的模特。

纵然 Ahmad Zakii 的画作可能以不可磨灭的方式定格陈文江，但他的儿子陳致祥却完美继承父亲在高胜控股的业务精神，具备工程和法律学识背景的陳致祥已任职董事经理掌管公司。这位骄傲的父亲说，“只要能继续工作，毫无疑问的，我不会轻易言休，但我们必须更好的融合资深和年轻的人才。我们总能从新一代的身上学到许多。”

By Billie Ooi-Ng Lean Gaik

EZ 47 - Captains & Legends

Passion Instills Greatness 激情灌输绚烂

June 30, 2017 EZ Malaysia Leave a comment

Dato’ Elaine Kang Siew Lay

Artiste

“Singing is my passion and age has nothing to do with it. I still love to be on stage and share my voice.”

When hard work bears result to a life-long pursuit for passionate things in life, Dato’ Elaine Kang has more than a few words of wisdom up her sleeve. This entrepreneur and artist has fought through 37 years being in the industry and through persistence survived longer than many other artists that have come and gone over the years. Her artistry has not only been the ‘soul’ of her existence but has truly been the backbone where her core values – humility, confidence and dignity – are challenged notably in the public eye as well as in self-reflection.

Dato’ Elaine Kang is a Malaysian songbird famous for her ballad and pop songs. Her singing career saw her being selected by ex-Prime Minister Tun Mahathir, together with Yusni Hamid and the cultural group to perform at his very first official visit to China.

On the question on how she had survived in the entertainment industry, her simplistic answers were eloquently charming and rang truth to her role as a public figure. “The Malaysian music industry is especially small for a Chinese artist. So, in order to achieve and maintain the standard of my work, I had to double up my efforts. I’ve never been ashamed to ask when in doubt and I am a perfectionist when it comes to work.”

Over the years, her life in the public eye has not only inspired many others but gained her fans that have truly supported her tenure. While she is giving back through charity concerts and writing an advice column in a Chinese newspaper, she demands absolute discipline and perfection no matter what circumstance and is especially so when she is performing live.

“There is no business like show business. When you are on stage, there is no NG [No Go/Cut], no ‘Take Two’. So, it can only go right or wrong.”

“There is no business like show business. When you are on stage, there is no NG [No Go/Cut], no ‘Take Two’. So, it can only go right or wrong. The profession that I have chosen to take up demands persistence and strength and without the support of my friends, family and fans, I would have been in a very different place.”

Having to compete with talents from China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Korea and Japan, she finds that many Malaysian artists now faced with the challenge of having to produce an album with a small budget in comparison to other livelier markets in the region.

Dato’ Elaine Kang takes pride in the experiences she has gained through the years. She was involved in the process of producing concerts and felt that artists nowadays are deprived of such knowledge. “While they are able to sing and perform, some are also songwriters to their own music. The younger generation is extremely lucky in a sense that they have the labels and management company plan their schedule. Although this a blessing, many are not able to see the process from recording an album, promoting a concert to managing a press conference.”

“In order to be successful, you must be psychologically and emotionally strong-minded. No one can decide your future but yourself. In reality and in life, you will always face challenges, so strong-mindedness will push you forward. Loving yourself and having the confidence also helps.”

While she is still actively involved in live performances, Dato’ Elaine Kang is also a very much entrepreneur at heart. Over the last 8 years and alongside her passion for singing, she also owns a jewellery business. Self-taught, she designs mini masterpieces using diamonds, gems and colourful stones.

“没有像演艺事业这样的工作。当你在舞台上，无法NG [中断]，没办法再来一次。因此，只能直接走向对或错。”

作为在行业中历经了37年风风雨雨的企业家和艺人，拿督江梦蕾这朵铿锵玫瑰愈加散发智慧自如的芬芳。努力工作成为她终身追求生命激情的时刻，比起许多年来犹如过江之鲫来来去去的艺人，她的坚持彰显了一股韧劲，艺术性不仅是融入她的灵魂之中，而且真正作为核心价值观 – 谦卑，信心和尊严 – 勇于面对公众眼光审视和自我反思的挑战。

江梦蕾是以民谣和流行歌曲而知名的马来西亚歌手，当年名气如日中天的她也曾经伴随着前首相敦马哈迪、Yusni Hamid 与文化团体首次以官方形式访问中国。

关于如何在瞬息万变娱乐圈幸存的问题，她简单的回答聪颖而迷人，也是她能够成为公众人物的真相。“马来西亚乐坛对于华裔歌手而言发挥的空间特别小。所以为了达到和维持工作标准，必须付出加倍努力。遇到疑问时我从来都不耻下问，在工作上我也是完美主义者。”
而多年来，在公众的眼中她的人生不仅激发了许多人，而且也拥有一班真正支持她的忠实歌迷。当她通过慈善音乐会回馈社会，并在中文报章上撰写咨询专栏，在任何情况下，她坚决要求绝对的纪律和完美，表演时刻更是。

“没有像演艺事业这样的工作。当你在舞台上，无法NG[中断]，没办法再来一次。因此，只能直接走向对或错。我选择以坚持和力量来接受职业考验，当然，如果缺乏朋友，家人和歌迷的支持，我可能会位于非常不一样的处境。”

而当她不得不与来自中国、香港、台湾，韩国和日本的艺人进行竞争，从中也发现许多马来西亚歌手皆面临着唱片专辑制作预算限制的困境，尤其与该地区其他更活跃的市场相比。

“年龄无法阻扰我唱歌的热情，我依旧热爱在舞台上分享我的声音。”

江梦蕾也为自己常年来累积的经验感到自豪。尤其是参与制作演唱会的过程，她认为现在的歌手被剥夺了类似体验。“即使他们能歌善舞，有些也是自行创作歌曲。年轻一代歌手非常幸运，因为拥有标签，还有管理公司为他们规划安排。虽然这是一种幸福，但其中许多人无法亲自参与录制专辑的过程和筹备演唱会的宣传发布会等。“

“欲迈向成功，你必须在心理和情感上强力自主。除了自己，没人可决定你的未来，坚强的意志才能推动往前走，要懂得自爱，当然信心也是一大助力。”

即使她仍积极参与舞台表演，江梦蕾也充满了作为企业家的野心，过去8年里，除了持续对歌唱的热情，她还拥有本身的珠宝生意。具备天赋的她透过自学使用钻石、宝石和五彩斑斓的矿石等设计出迷你杰作。

by Monica Tong

EZ 47 - Captains & Legends

The Mother & Daughter Sorority 母女联谊会

June 30, 2017 EZ Malaysia Leave a comment

Datin Peggy Khoo (Executive Director of ARITA PLASTICS)

Joyce Lim (Director of ARITA PLASTICS)

“You must have passion in everything you do. In some ways, we are strict with her [Joyce] because she may eventually lead the company one day. However, she is still new to the business and we treat her like we would treat any freshies in our company. I’m glad that she is willing and seems to be a fast learner as well.” commented Datin Peggy Khoo.

“My parents wanted me to improve and the only way to do that is the freedom that they have willingly let me try and learn through assisting them in decision-making processes in the marketing and the management side of the company. Their willingness have opened many doors for me.” said Joyce

Whenever we hear of family members working together in a family-run business, there is almost an immediate bliss that transcends peace as well as orderliness not many can achieve. In our day-to-day grind to live a life as best as we could, relationships have been a constant challenge to many especially with family members in a family-run business.

The first instance of meeting these two women struck a cord that transcends an air of class and superiority. While one may prevail in wisdom and experience from being in the business for almost two decades the other strengthens in youth and energy. The mother and daughter story of Datin Peggy Khoo and Joyce Lim speaks not only of combined efforts but truly embracing a relationship that works both in their homes and also for a family-run business.

When Joyce graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce from Deakin University, Australia six years ago, there were already discussions revolving around her joining the family firm. Since then, she has led and represented the company in implementing the newest ISO system 9001 and 2015.

“I knew what I wanted when I first joined the company. In order to learn different functional parts within the company, I was allocated to different departments and started from the very beginning. The idea is that I would learn from every department especially in marketing involving purchasing, production planning, and quality management system (ISO),” said Joyce.

If there is one thing on how they define the success and longevity of the company, it is definitely through hard work as well as the passion for the industry. With over 30 years being in the manufacturing sector of the plastic industry, ARITA PLASTICS is one of the pioneers in producing extruded plastic sheets. The company has grown to become a major exporter and is an OEM partner and trader with more than 20 years of experience.

Datin Peggy Khoo started the manufacturing business in 1978 with her husband who also holds first-hand experience in running a company. This meant that Joyce is also on the receiving end of two successful entrepreneurs that has led a company for more than three decades.

“The advantages to being the daughter is enormous,” laughed Joyce. “Even at the initial stage of joining the firm, I felt that my voice was heard. I would probably not stand a chance to voice out my opinion if I’m not at a certain position in the company. They were open and that led me further to more opportunities; whether it is on socialising at networking events or taking the initiative to introduce me to their clients.”

The husband and wife company has expanded since 1978 and with over 70 staff on the payroll, it has been through its own challenges. They have no qualms in knowing that their children may leave the company one day and take each day as it comes.

“It is definitely a choice that they [the children] have made when they decided to join us. If they will ever leave one day, we are definitely open to exploring. We have staff and stake shareholders who have been with us for over 20 years, so, there are definitely a lot of talent to explore there,” said Datin Peggy Khoo.

These two ladies seem to have it in their strive; a two-way communication that is proven successful so far. On one hand, this relationship is an aspirations to the younger generation to go for the catch and be successful. On the other hand, we see the mother hand, nurturing at the same time plays a vital part in appropriate decision-making and well-devised processes for execution. Are there any betters ways for a mother and daughter relationship?

“你必须对自身所做的一切充满激情。我们对Joyce在某些方面显得严苛，因为总有一天将是她领导公司。然而，她还是业务新手，我们对待她像公司里任何新人一样。但我非常欣慰她很愿意学习以及快速上手。”拿汀邱碧意说。

每当我们听到家庭成员们在同一个家族企业里共事，几乎立即感受到一种超越和谐的幸福，这也是许多人无法达至的秩序感。在我们日复一日尽最大的努力去营造美好生活，对很多人来说人际关系是一个持续的挑战，特别是与家庭成员在家族企业中共处。

与这两名女性会面的第一印象是超越阶级和优越感的亲密联系。其中一位在商业领域拥有20年以上的智慧与丰富经验优势，另外一名则胜在年轻朝气和精力充沛。拿汀郑碧意(Peggy Khoo)与Joyce Lim，这对母亲与女儿的故事不仅叙述她们共同的努力，也实际拥抱她们的家还有家族企业。

6年前，当Joyce毕业于澳大利亚迪肯大学(Deakin University)获取商业学士学位，环绕着她加入家族企业的讨论正式开启。那时，她已经领导着与代表公司实施最新版质量管理体系ISO系统9001-2015。

“我刚加入公司就知道自己想要什么。而为了深入了解公司各部门构造，从一开始我被分配到不同的部门。我的想法是从每一个部门中学习，特别是市场营销，还有涉及采购，生产计划和质量管理体系(ISO)。”

如果要定义一家成功与长远的公司，肯定包括辛勤耕耘以及对行业的热情。而Arita集团拥有超过30年在塑料制造业的经验，也是生产高端挤压塑料板材的先驱，公司成为主要出口商，具备逾20年的代工生产(OEM)合作伙伴与贸易经历。

郑碧意是在1978年涉足制造业，并具备携手丈夫拿督林廷晖开始经营一家公司的切身经历。这意味着，Joyce是身为掌控一家逾30年历史的公司、两名成功企业家之接班人。

“作为女儿的好处数之不尽。”她笑道。不过，即使加入公司的初期，她感觉自己的声音有被聆听。“如果我不在公司的某个职位，我可能就没有机会发表意见了。他们为我提供很多机会的窗口，让我能更跨前一步；而且无论是在社交活动或一些场合，也主动把我介绍给客户们。”

自1978以来，这家夫妇创立的公司加速扩大，拥有逾70名员工，且历经自身挑战。他们不确定自己的孩子可能哪一天会离开公司，抑或这一天随时到来。

“如果孩子们加入我们，这是他们的选择，至于要离开，我们肯定会开放探索。而我们的员工和股东们在过去的20年与我们一起并肩作战，所以，具备很多勘察人才的机会。”郑碧意说。

这两名女性似乎都以本身能力奋斗着，也是至今为止确认相当成功的双向交流。另一方面，这种关系让年轻一代更勇于追求成功的志向。此外，我们可看到母亲在一手栽培的同时也采取适当决策，而精心策划的执行过程也起着关键作用。还有比这种母女关系更好的方式吗？

by Monica Tong

Captains & Legends, EZ 46 - Captains & Legends, EZ 61 (2)

Sky Titan 空中巨擘

April 7, 2017 EZ Malaysia Leave a comment

Nivat Chantarachoti

General Manager of Thai Airways

“Thai Airways has an excellent safety record.”

The young and cherub-face gentleman’s manner and appearance belie his age. Well-suited, he steps into the room with an air of confidence and warmth albeit the black ribbon on his lapel, clearly still expressing his mourning for the loss of Thailand’s beloved King Bhumibol. Thai national Nivat Chantarachoti is the general manager of Thai Airways International, overseeing Malaysia and Brunei, one of the most challenging and competitive air-travel routes in the world. Currently pursuing his Doctorate Degree in Business Administration with the Business Science Institute of Luxembourg, his highly relevant research on ‘The Impact of Low-Cost Carriers in the Aviation Industry’ takes up the lion share of his time, when not in office. However, he did not start out as a master of the sky initially.

Fresh out of college in Manila, Philippines, young Nivat Chantarachoti had a short stint as an English instructor with TOEIC (Test of English for International Communication), but he could not reign in his love for air travel and the mastering of business in new horizons. So, he set his heart on joining Thai Airways, a move many of his fellow countrymen clamour for. “I joined Thai Airways in 1989, as a flight attendant. It is the dream of new graduates to travel and see the world. Therefore, it is the pride of most Thai people to work for Thai Airways because it is the national carrier of Thailand. Furthermore, Thai Airways is a public enterprise and a very stable organisation,” he explains.

Nivat’s childhood spanned across a few continents. “My father is a Thai diplomat and we lived abroad most of our lives.

I spent several years living in Vientiane, New York, and Manila during my childhood. I did most of my studies in the US and at an international school in Bangkok. In the Philippines, I completed my Bachelor Degree in Computer Science when my father was with the Royal Thai Embassy in Manila. I got my MBA while working for Thai Airways and am currently pursuing my PhD.”

Clocking an impressive 28 years with Thai Airways, Nivat has managed Thai Airways offices in Australia, France, Indonesia, Bangladesh, the Philippines and Switzerland before Malaysia and Brunei. “My years as a flight attendant gave me valuable perspective and I was able to see and experience the destinations we are selling,” he gathers.

Thai Airways business slogan ‘The First Choice Carrier with Touches of Thai’ is not an easy goal to achieve. “Thai Airways has been around since 1960, making us 57 years old this year. Our fleet of over 95 aircrafts fly to more than 80 destinations around the world,” Nivat announces with pride.

“Thai people are famous for their kind hospitality or what is often referred to as ‘Thai-ness’. This signature brand of hospitality is what sets us apart from the rest of the airlines.”

The next sentence Nivat utters is what every air passenger wants to hear these days, “Thai Airways has an excellent safety record.” Apart from safety, Thai Airways has been the winner of the Best Cabin Crew Award on numerous occasions. “Our strategy is to differentiate our product. We are renowned for our in-flight service called the Royal Orchid Service. Thai people are famous for their kind hospitality or what is often referred to as ‘Thai-ness’. This signature brand of hospitality is what sets us apart from the rest of the airlines,” Nivat adds.

Whatever little time this engaging personality has, after work and academic pursuits, is either spent on the treadmill at the gym or on a plush Thai Airways aircraft seat, bound for new destinations and exciting experiences in faraway lands.

年轻的娃娃脸，加上绅士气度的外型让他适度隐藏实际年龄。仪表出众的他在步入房间时展现了自信温暖的氛围，而一缕黑色丝带依然别在他的领子，这是对泰国民众崇敬爱戴的普密蓬国王 (King Bhumibol) 的辞世表达哀悼之意。

身为泰国国际航空公司的总经理，泰籍的Nivat Chantarachoti 负责监管马来西亚和文莱的区域，可说是全球最具挑战性和竞争力的航空旅行路线之一。目前他在卢森堡商业科学研究所攻读工商管理博士学位，至于 “廉价航空对于航空工业的影响”的相关研究，已经占据了他工作之外的大部分时间。然而，他最初并没有成为空中主角的念头。在菲律宾马尼拉的学院毕业后，年轻的他为国际交流英语考试 (TOEIC) 担任短暂的英语讲师工作，但他无法抑制对航空旅行和开拓新业务视野的爱与渴望。所以，他跟随自己的意愿，加入泰国航空公司，这也是令他的同胞欣羡不已的举动。“我在1989年作为乘务员加入泰国航空公司，这是社会新鲜人梦想：旅行和看世界。而且在大多数泰国人感到自豪的泰航工作，泰航除了是国营航空公司的象征，也是非常稳定、实力强大的公共企业和组织。”他解释说。

“泰国人以独特的热情款待或所谓的“泰民族性”闻名，也是殷勤好客的招牌使我们与其他航空公司有区别。”

Nivat的童年生活飞越数个大洲。“我父亲是泰国外交官，因此大部分的时间在国外度过。我童年时期在万象、纽约和马尼拉度过数年，并在美国，还有曼谷的一所国际学校进行大半段的学习生涯。当我的父亲在菲律宾任职泰国驻马尼拉大使时，我完成了电脑科学与技术学士学位。我在泰航工作期间取得工商管理硕士，目前正在攻读博士。”

另外，他与泰航至今长达28年的服务期限也令人印象深刻。在马来西亚和文莱之前，曾主管泰国航空在澳大利亚、法国、印尼，孟加拉，菲律宾和瑞士的办事处业务。“乘务员就业经验提供了非常有价值的视野，我能够更深入了解展开营销的地点。”

至于泰国航空公司的口号:“触摸泰国的首选航空”不是一个轻易实现的目标。“泰航创立于1960年左右，今年57岁。我们有逾95架的飞机飞往世界各地80多个目的地。” Nivat 骄傲地宣布。

而接下来Nivat的宣称也是每个乘客最近想听到的。“泰国航空具备相当好的安全记录。”除了安全，泰航已多次在不同场合获得最佳乘务组奖。我们的战略是善于区分本身产品，并以空中的“皇家胡姬花服务”称誉。泰国人以独特的热情款待或所谓的“泰民族性”而闻名，也是殷勤好客的招牌使我们与其他航空公司有区别。” Nivat 补充说。

无论是繁忙的工作和学术追求，闲暇在健身房的跑步机上，或者在泰国航空公司飞机的座位上，他永远不忘锁定新目的地，在遥远的土地上感受令人兴奋的体验。

by Billie Ooi – Ng Lean Gaik