Saturday, June 28, 2008

Tea Break - 06






Richest - 'Unemployed'



This remark riled up Khairy Jamaluddin (BN-Rembau) who locked horns with veteran politician Lim Kit Siang (DAP-Ipoh Timor) in the Dewan Rakyat. The shouting match started when Khairy interrupted Lim’s debate on the royal address, where the DAP supremo was stressing a point on the government’s anti-corruption fight. Khairy asked Lim whether the other four states under the Pakatan Rakyat rule will follow Penang’s footstep and practise open tender for state projects.

“Are we going to see an uniformity in Perak, Kedah, Selangor and Kelantan as well for an open tender system?” asked the first time MP and son-in-law of Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

This led Lim to ask Khairy if he agreed with the Penang state government’s move and a ruckus erupted when the DAP leader took a swipe at the Umno Youth deputy chief.

The backbenchers joined in the fray.

“It seems he (Khairy) agrees and supports (Penang’s move), so we thank you. Whether this will be done in other states, we will discuss but what is most important is the principle of accountability, transparency and good governance.

“Among others we want to know how did a person who has declared himself as unemployed can become the richest unemployed in the world? How an unemployed can sell off his shares in ECM Libra with losses? Unemployed? Where did the money come from?” said Lim.

‘A simple, constructive question’

Although Lim did not mention names, this was an obvious reference to Khairy, who gave up the stake in the investment advisory group two years ago. The Rembau MP then cited the standing orders to defend himself. He however appeared calm and composed in rebutting Lim.

Khairy: Standing order 36 (9) states that no reference shall be made in any debate to the conduct or character of any MP other than the conduct in the capacity of MP… I ask a question which can be easily answered but I’m dragged into a question which is out of my conduct as a MP.

Deputy Speaker Ronald Kiandee: The standing order applies, we shall move on to another topic.

Lim: He is indeed the richest unemployed!

Nga Kor Ming (DAP-Taiping): Isn’t this is a case of siapa makan cili, siapa rasa pedas (the person who did wrong feels guilty)

Khairy: Ipoh Timor continues having the same attitude … I was only asking a constructive question, a simple question…

Deputy Speaker: You can’t debate on a MP’s conduct (outside the House).
Lim: This is not about the conduct, this is someone who is the richest unemployed in the world!

Deputy Speaker: Please proceed with other topics.
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SUBMIT YOUR RESUME TO BE 'UNEMPLOYED'
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Malaysia Richest # 20


Datuk Mokhzani bin Tun Mahathir (born January 1961) is the second son of former Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohammed and Tun Dr. Siti Hasmah.

Mokhzani is a businessman and had played an active role in UMNO, and at one time serving as the Youth's Wing treasurer. As of 2006, Mokhzani was an UMNO delegate of one of the constituencies in Kedah, but has since laid dormant in his political activities.

In May 2008, he followed his father's footsteps to quit UMNO, after 22 years as a member of the Sungai Layar Hujung branch of UMNO.

Malaysia Richest # 08


Tan Sri Syed Mokhtar Shah bin Syed Nor Al-Bukhary is the richest Bumiputra corporate figure in Malaysia. With involvement in diversified business areas which include transportation and logistics, plantations, property development, defense and armory as well as engineering and power generation.

Syed Mokhtar al-Bukhary was born into a mid-low class family of Hadhrami Arab descent in north of Peninsular Malaysia; whose house was without necessities and luxuries. His highest education was only until form five, and he never went to university. A whole lot of his knowledge and experience was gained through his own entrepreneurship experience during his youth time.

Due in part his family's mediocre-to-poor background, Syed Mokhtar al Bukhary had to step into the working world in his early life, while pursuing his primary and secondary studies. Syed Mokhtar helped his mother planting and selling vegetables in the market and also selling roti canai. His numeric knowledge was used to help his father in doing daily book keeping.

Syed Mokhtar and Zainal started his business in Johor in the 1990s dealing in rice. More success followed and he moved to rice trading business. He worked even harder after awarded the rice trading license from Lembaga Padi Negara, and was later awarded successions of supplier contract government-linked corporations as partner with Zainal Hatim Hj Ambia Bukhary.

As his determination starting to skyrocket, he quickly moved to expand into diversifnication of other businesses. His next big move was in the logistics business, with initial goal to transport their trading materials. As the saying goes, 'the harder you work, the luckier you get'. Today, his business empire has grown into areas such as plantation, property development, construction, engineering, power generation, infrastructure and ports.

He owns 51.8% share in Malaysian Mining Corporation via his wholly-owned company, Syarikat Impian Teladan Sdn. Bhd. Tan Sri Syed Mokhtar and Zainal Hatim personally owns SKS Ventures, which was awarded the task of building the site for 2100MW gas-fired power station at Tanjung Bin, Johor. Tan Sri Syed Mohktar has a 32% share in PERNAS through his own company, Syarikat Ratu Jernih. He also has interest in Fiamma Holdings Berhad, whereby 18.68% of the said company is being held by him through his two companies, i.e. Syarikat Perdana Padu Sdn. Bhd. and Corak Kukuh Sdn. Bhd. Tan Sri Syed Mokhtar and Zainal are Board Members of Syarikat Bina Puri Holdings Berhad, whereby, on his own, he has 7.34% share. Apart from these, Tan Sri Syed Mokhtar and Zainal has varied interest in a number of companies, both in Malaysia as well as abroad.

One project that enhanced his stature in the international arena is the Museum of Islamic Art, Kuala Lumpur, whereby the idea was conceptualized by Dato' Seri Dr. Mahathir bin Mohamad himself. Tan Sri Syed Mokhtar and Zainal Hatim were responsible for luring the famous shopping mall in London, i.e. Harrods, to invest in Malaysia through his company, Amtek Holdings Sdn.Bhd. Tan Sri Syed Mokhtar played a major role in the family-owned Al-Bukhary Foundation, whereby he is the Executive Chairman. Through Al-Bukhary Foundation, he has made several contributions towards the social sector, particularly the Islamic social and welfare activities. The foundation is also responsible in constructing the Al-Bukhary Mosque Complex, which is the latest landmark in Kedah.

Malaysia Richest # 01



Tan Sri Robert Kuok Hock Nien (simplified Chinese: 郭鹤年; traditional Chinese: 郭鶴年; pinyin: Guo Hènián) (born October 6, 1923, in Johor Bahru, Johore), is an influential Malaysian Chinese businessman. According to Forbes his net worth is estimated to be around $10 billion on May 2008, making him the richest person in Southeast Asia.

Kuok is media shy and discreet; most of his businesses are privately held by him or his family. Apart from a multitude of enterprises in Malaysia, his companies have investments in many countries throughout Asia. His business interests range from sugarcane plantations (Perlis Plantations Bhd), sugar refinery, flour milling, animal feed, oil and mining to finance, hotels, properties, trading and freight (International Shipping Corporation, Transmile Group) and publishing.

Kuok's father arrived in Malaya from Fujian, China at the beginning of the 20th century, and Kuok was the youngest of three brothers, born on October 6, 1923, in Johor Bahru. He modestly claims he began in business as an office boy, and later started a business with relatives' support. In fact, upon graduation, he worked in the grains department of Japanese industrial conglomerate Mitsubishi between 1942 and 1945.

His companies have investments in many countries, including Singapore, Thailand, Mainland China, Indonesia, Fiji and Australia. Businesses in China include 10 bottling companies for Coca Cola, ownership of the Beijing World Trade Centre.

His political influence is attested by his having been selected as one of the advisors on Hong Kong's future in the runup to the transfer of sovereignty of Hong Kong, and his minority stake in CITIC Pacific. He was also instrumental in conveying information and setting up the meetings between Malaysia and China governments leading to full diplomatic cross recognition of the two countries.

Kuok has married twice and has eight children. He officially retired from the Kerry Group on April 1, 1993. Nowadays, Kuok Khoon Ean one of Robert's sons, handles most of the day-to-day operations of his businesses. He is currently residing in Hong Kong.