Syed Mokhtar Albukhary cries foul about the media in a first biography written on him by a public relations consultant and published by the writer’s firm pVm Communications.
“I wonder why I get bad press when others have systematically abused the system for personal gain, but they are not subject to much media scrutiny. Perhaps it is time to come out and defend myself,” says Syed Mokhtar.
It will be interesting to find out from him who are the people he refers to as “others” abusing the system.
Author Premilla Mohanlall notes that the media frequently attributes Syed Mokhtar’s success to the patronage of Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
And the corporate giant’s reply: “By the time I met Dr Mahathir in 1997, I was already a successful businessman. I have never abused the relationship. Dr Mahathir gives me a fair hearing, but there is no green lane with him,” he is quoted in The Media chapter on page 152.
Syed Mokhtar’s success in Johor led to rumours that he was awarded projects without meeting the selection criteria. The cloud of suspicion persisted, and to clear his name, he tried to secure an appointment with Mahathir, the author narrates.
He then got the approval to build a mosque, health and welfare facilities for the hardcore poor in Alor Star. “It was the beginning of a mentor-mentee relationship, with Syed Mokhtar seeking the advice of the prime minister on wide-ranging subjects.” Syed Mokhtar admires Mahathir for his wealth of knowledge and “they meet regularly for dinner.”
Reading the book, one gets the idea of a mutual admiration fan club feeling for each other. Mahathir is also full of praise for the businessman who started his lorry transport business in 1972. Mahathir notes: “Syed Mokhtar has an instinct for business and learns quickly. He is an NEP success story.”
Mahathir still talks of his closeness with Syed Mokhtar. “When I stepped down in October 2003, I thought for a time he had deserted me now that I was no longer in a position to help him, and could be a burden because I would ask him to donate to mosques. But he kept reporting to me of what he was doing on a weekly basis.”
'I have the confidence of the banks'
Today, Syed Mokhtar is one of the well-known bumiputera tycoons in Malaysia as he has been tapped profusely on the benefits of the New Economic Policy.
The biography does a good public relations job on him, explaining his expansion in business.
He is hurt by the perception that the acquisition of MMC, Pernas and DRB-Hicom was easy. “People don’t realise how difficult they were, and how hard I had to fight to get them.”
Syed Mokhtar discounts a rumour that his borrowings run to billions of ringgit and his non-performing loans can also cause a run on some banks as they are hefty.
“I have the confidence of the banks. We have borrowings, and our loans are backed by strong assets.”
The book also talks about his relationship with Muhyiddin Yassin, whom he met in 1976. “Syed Mokhtar and Muhyiddin shared several common traits. They were seen as quiet and reserved young men, and this demeanour hid their burning desire to chart new paths.”
The soft part of Syed Mokhtar emerges in the 7th chapter of the 12 chapter book under the title: “When the heart moves.”
He says: “Whenever I do charity my heart moves. It is not about corporate social responsibility. It is about caring, something that comes from the heart. My wish is that people with money will help those less fortunate so that the world is more just and fair to all.”
The soft cover book retails at RM19.90 each and is distributed by MPH Distributors.
“I wonder why I get bad press when others have systematically abused the system for personal gain, but they are not subject to much media scrutiny. Perhaps it is time to come out and defend myself,” says Syed Mokhtar.
It will be interesting to find out from him who are the people he refers to as “others” abusing the system.
Author Premilla Mohanlall notes that the media frequently attributes Syed Mokhtar’s success to the patronage of Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
And the corporate giant’s reply: “By the time I met Dr Mahathir in 1997, I was already a successful businessman. I have never abused the relationship. Dr Mahathir gives me a fair hearing, but there is no green lane with him,” he is quoted in The Media chapter on page 152.Syed Mokhtar’s success in Johor led to rumours that he was awarded projects without meeting the selection criteria. The cloud of suspicion persisted, and to clear his name, he tried to secure an appointment with Mahathir, the author narrates.
He then got the approval to build a mosque, health and welfare facilities for the hardcore poor in Alor Star. “It was the beginning of a mentor-mentee relationship, with Syed Mokhtar seeking the advice of the prime minister on wide-ranging subjects.” Syed Mokhtar admires Mahathir for his wealth of knowledge and “they meet regularly for dinner.”
Reading the book, one gets the idea of a mutual admiration fan club feeling for each other. Mahathir is also full of praise for the businessman who started his lorry transport business in 1972. Mahathir notes: “Syed Mokhtar has an instinct for business and learns quickly. He is an NEP success story.”
Mahathir still talks of his closeness with Syed Mokhtar. “When I stepped down in October 2003, I thought for a time he had deserted me now that I was no longer in a position to help him, and could be a burden because I would ask him to donate to mosques. But he kept reporting to me of what he was doing on a weekly basis.”
'I have the confidence of the banks'
Today, Syed Mokhtar is one of the well-known bumiputera tycoons in Malaysia as he has been tapped profusely on the benefits of the New Economic Policy.
The biography does a good public relations job on him, explaining his expansion in business.
He is hurt by the perception that the acquisition of MMC, Pernas and DRB-Hicom was easy. “People don’t realise how difficult they were, and how hard I had to fight to get them.”
Syed Mokhtar discounts a rumour that his borrowings run to billions of ringgit and his non-performing loans can also cause a run on some banks as they are hefty.“I have the confidence of the banks. We have borrowings, and our loans are backed by strong assets.”
The book also talks about his relationship with Muhyiddin Yassin, whom he met in 1976. “Syed Mokhtar and Muhyiddin shared several common traits. They were seen as quiet and reserved young men, and this demeanour hid their burning desire to chart new paths.”
The soft part of Syed Mokhtar emerges in the 7th chapter of the 12 chapter book under the title: “When the heart moves.”
He says: “Whenever I do charity my heart moves. It is not about corporate social responsibility. It is about caring, something that comes from the heart. My wish is that people with money will help those less fortunate so that the world is more just and fair to all.”
The soft cover book retails at RM19.90 each and is distributed by MPH Distributors.
M KRISHNAMOORTHY is a freelance journalist and local coordinator for CNN, BBC and several other foreign television networks. He was formerly a journalist with The Star and New Straits Times and has authored four books.
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