While Perkasa talk about Malays (I believe they means Malays in Malaysia) being threaten in their own homeland and still weak and need crutches to protect them from "too advance" non-Malays, there is a new hope I found for Malays.There are some Malays who are more professional, more progressive and more focused on what is necessary and required to advance the community's economic cause without such warlike and anti-social siege mentality.And I always wonder why the Malays in Singapore never tried to apply for Malaysian citizenship en mass. Here might be part of the answerSpeech by Singapore Malay Chamber of Commerce & Industri (SMCCI) President, Mr Abdul Rohim Sarip------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
if you don't have the time to read the whole thing, this excerpts attracted my attention and admirationWe are still in the month of Syawal, so let me wish every one Selamat Hari Raya, and also, Happy Deepavali13. Our next business mission is to China, which offers our local Malay/Muslim entrepreneurs a huge opportunity as it has a vast 300 Million strong Chinese Muslim market to tap into.17. So I would urge members of the business community to consider the following:
i. Firstly, we have to continually re-examine our business models.The usual Malaysian Malay arguments do not apply and they are in a heck of a more competitive and open market. I strongly believe a competitive Malay business community is beneficial to all Malaysian businessmen as improved employment scenario would breed consumers with more purchasing power....win win; not zero sum game.-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bismillahirahmanirahim.
Guest-of-Honour, Mr. Lim Hng Kiang, Minister for Trade & Industry
Mr. Zainul Abidin Rasheed, Senior Minister of State for Foreign Affairs,
Mr. Hawazi Daipi, Senior Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of Manpower & Ministry of Health
Dr. Ahmad Magad, SMCCI Advisor & MP – Pasir-Ris Punggol GRC
Hj. Alami Musa – President, MUIS
Mr. Png Cheong Boon, Chief Executive, Spring Singapore
His Excellency Dato’ Md Hussin Nayan, High Commissioner, Malaysian High Commission
His Excellency Mr. Abdul Ghafar Ismail, High Commissioner, Brunei High Commission
His Excellency Pak Wardana, Ambassador, Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia
His Excellency Mr. Alisher Kurmanov, Ambassador, Embassy of the Republic of Uzbekistan
His Excellency Mr. Nasser Hamdy – Ambassador, Embassy of the Republic of Egypt
Her Excellency Mrs. Fauzia Mazhar Sana – High Commissioner, Pakistan High Commission
Members of the Management Committee, SMCCI
Distinguished Guests
Ladies & Gentlemen
Assalaamu’alaikum Wr Wb.
INTRODUCTION1. A very good evening to all and welcome to SMCCI Annual Gala Dinner 2009. First and foremost, I would like to thank our Guest-of-Honour, Minister for Trade and Industry, Mr. Lim Hng Kiang. Sir, you have honoured us in accepting our invitation to be our Guest-of-Honour for this year’s Annual Gala Dinner. We are still in the month of Syawal, so let me wish every one Selamat Hari Raya, and also, Happy Deepavali.
CURRENT ECONOMIC SITUATION2. I was elected President of SMCCI in June 2009, on the back of the worst recession since independence. Many SME’s are hit badly and are still struggling. Demand for goods and services plunged. At the bazaar Ramadan@Geylang Serai, many reported huge losses, the worst they have ever seen.
3. However, the worst may be over and we are seeing some good numbers. MTI released flash estimates showing a positive growth and business sentiments have improved. Regional stock markets have regained their losses and are back to the level before the financial crisis struck a year ago. Another positive news for the business community is the extension of the job credit scheme for a further 6 months. Businesses are encouraged to prepare for the upturn. Whether the recovery is sustainable remains to be seen but we are cautiously optimistic as some sectors are still facing difficulties.
4. I am fortunate to have a dedicated and committed management committee, volunteering their valuable time assisting the business community, at times at the expense of their own business.
HOW SMCCI CAN HELP BUSINESS PEOPLE5. Our mission is a very simple one, to promote the business interests of the Malay Muslim business community. We are sensitive to the plight of the small and micro SMEs. Some are struggling to stay afloat. How do we increase their capability to better compete in the marketplace?
6. A survey done by us revealed that over 2/3rds of the Malay/Muslim business community comprises of sole proprietors and partnerships, mostly in retail, service and F&B
7. SMCCI intends to improve the business know how of its members so that they can better -
a) Obtain professional assistance to derive long term business strategy.
b) consolidate operations
c) get assistance to raise and manage capital
d) reduce operating cost
e) Improve cash-flow and creditworthiness.
OUR COLLABORATION WITH OTHER GOVERNMENT BODIES8. Accordingly, SMCCI has devised a program, designed to help companies, called 5i. The 5i capability building programme will assist micro, small and medium sized enterprises to enhance their core competencies and competitiveness.
9. SMCCI has a very close working relationship with Spring Singapore who has been supportive of our initiatives to help SMEs. Hence I am pleased to announce that SMCCI has recently been made a member of the Local Enterprise and Association Development (LEAD) programme. Under this program, Spring Singapore has agreed to fund the 5i programme.
10. SMCCI is also mindful that some members are not aware of such programs or has no time to go to our centres. We plan to have an outreach programme to meet them at their place of business.
SMCCI EVENTS & ACTIVITIES
11. Another important event in our calendar is the Malay/Muslim Business conference which will be held next year. This conference will bring together business leaders from the region and provide a platform for the Malay/Muslim business community to network & discuss issues of mutual importance. Spring Singapore has also agreed to fund this conference under the LEAD programme.
12. Another area where we feel members can expand their business is joining SMCCI business missions .Our business missions offer our members the opportunity to expand their businesses overseas and grab a share in the globalised economy. It opens doors and allows for focussed business matching sessions. Some of our members have now expanded their businesses into countries such as Turkey, Malaysia, Vietnam, the United Arab Emirates, Brunei and Uzbekistan. We even have members who came on board our missions and doubling their business unexpectedly by tapping into an opportunity completely unrelated to their line of business. There are also instances where deals are made among the mission participants.
Businesses that join our trade mission will also enjoy the subsidies and other benefits that are available from relevant government agencies.
13. Our next business mission is to China, which offers our local Malay/Muslim entrepreneurs a huge opportunity as it has a vast 300 Million strong Chinese Muslim market to tap into.
EDC@SMCCI14. Our very own EDC@SMCCI has witnessed significant transformation in its processes, business model and team. To date, more than 50 cases involving 12 businesses from diversified industries have benefited a great deal from the services rendered by our EDC team.
15. Based on two independent studies commissioned by Spring Singapore, EDC@SMCCI was ranked first compared to other EDCs in Singapore in all key categories such as Sincerity and ability to explain clearly, Retaining and maintaining relationships and Services offered are beneficial to Clients.
16. As a co-Director of EDC@SMCCI, I am proud of the team’s achievements and congratulate them in their excellent performance. There are, however, several challenges that lie ahead for our businesses that would require EDC’s services even more. These emerging challenges relate to areas like:
a) Poor creditworthiness.
b) Lack of creativity in marketing and promotional strategies
c) Not enough brand visibility and proper brand management
d) Having good people with the right business and financial expertise
e) Mass market focus with price cuts
17. So I would urge members of the business community to consider the following:
i. Firstly, we have to continually re-examine our business models.
ii. Secondly, we have to build our capacity and infrastructure for innovative ideas, processes and packaging. We cannot afford huge capital expenditure, but what we have is intellectual capacity.
iii. Thirdly, aggressively build our business network. Attend business events and don’t hesitate to build partnerships and share your ideas.
iv. Fourth, ensure that you diversify your funding sources beyond just one source. If you have been traditionally relying on internal reserves and shareholder funds, start to tap onto government-assistance schemes and bank loans to have standby facilities.
v. Lastly, start exploring ways and build readiness to partner with bigger players to go overseas.
INTRODUCING DEWI@SMCCI18. Our women’s wing, DEWI@SMCCI, has made a remarkable name for themselves ever since the inception of the group at our AGM in June. Led by Chairpersons, Mdm. Junaidah Tarjo and Mdm. Engku Nurhuda, DEWI has been actively organising various events for the benefit of women entrepreneurs in Singapore.
19. Last month, DEWI@SMCCI participated in the Bazaar Ramadhan @ Geylang Serai by providing a platform for budding entrepreneurs and single parents to sell their products at the booth on consignment basis. It provided them valuable experience. They made some money. In this regard, SMCCI is looking the idea of converting the seasonal entrepreneurs at the Geylang Bazaar into permanent sustainable ones. DEWI@SMCCI also organised a visit to the Pertapis Senior Citizens Fellowship Home in their efforts to give back to the community.
THE POWER OF NETWORKING & BUILDING HEALTHY RELATIONS
20. This evening, we will also witness an MOU signing between SMCCI and the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, better known as KADIN Indonesia, to enhance cooperation with our Indonesian counterparts. This is another example of how our members can benefit from our networking.
21. Our networking programs have always been well received. We have just hosted a delegation from south Sumatra offering business opportunities and in July, we hosted a delegation from Penang. Many members and non members signed up for the sessions and made useful contacts .we will continue hosting such events for the benefit of our members.
CONCLUSION22. One of our efforts towards realising the vision of creating a culture of knowledge-based entrepreneurship is to recognise and assemble those entrepreneurs who have really made their mark in their respective fields of business. These are the men and women who have gone through the school of hard knocks, gained much in knowledge and understanding, and stood above the rest of the fold in achieving success in their entrepreneurial efforts.
23. And thus today the Entrepreneur of the Year Alumni Club will be born. This Alumni Club is the brainchild of my friend and Deputy President, Mr Abdul Malek Mattar, who has been very instrumental in the success of today’s event.
24. I would like to thank him, and the dinner organising committee, as well as the Secretariat, for the hard work they have dedicated towards tonight’s dinner. I would like to thank our friends from IE Singapore and Spring Singapore, and not to forget our friends from the media, MediaCorp and Berita Harian. I would also like to personally thank our Immediate Past President, Dato’ Zain, whose insight, wisdom and vast experience has been very helpful not only to me but to the members of the Malay Chamber who have had the good fortune to meet and work with him.
25. With that, I would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri and Happy Deepavali. Have an enjoyable evening!
