Honouring stars in the business world

BUSINESS leaders and entrepreneurs are urged to inculcate not just social responsibility but also care towards employees and customers in their day-to-day business.

Enterprise Asia chairman Tan Sri Dr Fong Chan Onn, in making the call, said all business players should also incorporate generosity towards employees and customers.

He said that the recent economic downturn had shown the strong need for Asia Pacific countries to strengthen their economies as a hedge against global crisis.

The event's guest-of-honour, Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri, said to call entrepreneurship a key economic driver was both apt and timely.

"It is believed that a nation's economy is only as strong as the total sum of contributions by both the government and the private sector," he said.

At the award ceremony, Tan Sri Azman Hashim from AmBank Group was presented with the "Lifetime Achievement Award" and Datuk Tan Chin Nam of IGB Group received the "Special Achievement Award".

The "Entrepreneur of the Year" award went to Datuk Robert Wong of Oriental Holdings Bhd while Datuk SM Faisal Tan Sri Nasimuddin of Naza Group was chosen as "Young Entrepreneur of the Year".

For the "Outstanding Entrepreneur" category, the award winners were Tan Sri Hamad Kama Piah Che Othman of Permodalan Nasional Bhd, Datuk Kho Kak Beng of KKB Engineering, Tan Lei Cheng of Goldis, Datin Prof Dr Clara Chee of Clara International Beauty Group and Shafiqul Hafiz of Johor Land.

In the "Most Promising Entrepreneur" category, the recipients were Ng Chun Hau of Public Fine Gold International, Rick Cheng of Encomas, Datuk Ricky Wong of Asia Media and Datuk Abdul Rahman Yusof of CMC Engineering.

Datuk Seri Edmund Santhara of Masterskill Education Group received the "Responsible Business Leader" award for his initiatives towards the educational development of the community.

AEON Co and Nestle Malaysia won in the "Green Leadership" category under the Asia Responsible Entrepreneurship Awards.

For the "Community Engagement" category, Nestle and Skali Group were the award winners for their commitments in supporting the local community through education programmes.

The "Investment in People" award was presented to Astro and Masterskill Education Group. - Bernama