CREATIVE! I CAN BARELY SHARPEN ONE..

A fren of mine just email me these awesome "craft " created by an unknown special artist.. jom layan!

Emmmm...creative!

ROBERT KUOK : MY STORY

Subject: : Robert Kuok - My Story

To all aspiring businessmen, successful businessmen and even failed businessmen …

Quote: Wealth should be used for two main purposes. One: for thegeneration of greater wealth; in other words, you continue to invest,creating prosperity and jobs in the country. Two: part of your wealthshould be applied to the betterment of mankind, either by acts of purephilanthropy or by investment in research and development along thefrontiers of science, space, health care and so forth.


Subject: Robert Kuok Hock Nien's notes on the past sixty years

Robert Kuok Hock Nien's notes on the past sixty years (on the occasion of the Kuok Group’s 60th Anniversary, April 2009)

(1) My brothers and I owe our upbringing completely to Mother. She was steeped in Ru-Jiao – the teachings of Confucius, Mencius, Laozi and other Chinese sages. Ru-Jiao teaches the correct behaviour for a human being on his life on earth. Mother gently, and sometimes strongly, drummed into the minds of her three boys the values of honesty, of never cheating, lying, stealing or envying other people their material wealth or physical attributes.

(2) Father died on 25 December 1948 night without leaving a will. Following the Japanese surrender, he had re-registered the firm as a sole proprietorship. We went to court to get an appointment as managers, permitting us to continue to manage Tong Seng & Co. The judge said that, as there were two widows, the firm and the estate should be wound up.

(3) We decide to establish Kuok Brothers Limited. In mid-January 1949, five of us met at a small roundtable in our home in Johore Bahru.Present were my MOTHER, cousin number five HOCK CHIN, cousin number twelve HOCK SENG, my brother HOCK KHEE nicknamed Philip (a.k.a. cousin number seventeen), and myself (a.k.a. cousin number twenty). We sat down and Mother said, “Nien, would you like to start?” I said, “Fine, yes I will start.” To cut the long story short, we got started, and commenced business from a little shop house in Johore Bharu on 1 April 1949.

(4) As a young man, I thought there was no substitute for hard work and thinking up good, honest business plans and, without respite, pushing them along. There will always be business on earth. Be humble; be straight; don’t be crooked; don’t take advantage of people. To be a successful businessman, I think you really need to brush all your senses every morning, just as you brush your teeth. I coined the phrase “honing your senses” in business: your vision, hearing, sense of smell, touch and taste. All these senses come in very useful.

(5) Mother was the captain of our ship. She saw and sensed everything but, being a wise person, she didn’t interfere. Yet she was the background influence, the glue that bound the Group together. She taught my cousins and my brothers and me never to be greedy, and that in making money one could practise high morality. She stressed that whenever the firm does well it should make donations to the charities operating in our society. She always kept us focussed on the big picture in business. For example: avoid businesses that bring harm, destruction or grief to people. This includes trades like gambling, drugs, arms sales, loan-sharking and prostitution.

(6) We started as little fish swimming in a bathtub. From there we went to a lake and now we are in the open seas. Today, our businesses cover many industries and our operations are worldwide but this would not have been possible without the vision of the founding members, the dedicated contributions and loyalty of our colleagues and employees and, very importantly, the strong moral principles espoused by my mother.

(7) When I hire staff I look for honest, hardworking, intelligent people. When I look candidates in the eye, they must appear very honest to me. I do not look for MBAs or exceptional students. You may hire a brilliant man, summa cum laude, first-class honours, but if his mind is not a fair one or if he has a warped attitude in life, does brilliance really matter?

(8) Among the first employees were Lau Teo Chin (Ee Wor), Kwok Chin Luang (Ee Luang), Othman Samad (Kadir) and an Indian accountant called Joachim who was a devout Roman Catholic and who travelled in every day from Singapore where he lived.

(9) I would like on this special occasion to pay tribute to them and, in particular, to those who were with us in the early days; many of whom are no longer here. I have already mentioned Lau Teo Chin (Ee Wor) and Kwok Chin Luang (Ee Luang) and Othman Samad (Kadir); there are others like Lean Chye Huat, who is not here today due to failing eyesight, and Yusuf Sharif who passed away in his home country, India, about one- and-a-half-years ago and the late Lee Siew Wah, and others who all gave solid and unstinting support and devotion to the Company. It saddens me that in those early difficult years these pioneers did not enjoy significant and substantial rewards but such is the order of things and a most unfortunate aspect of capitalism. However, through our Group and employee Foundations, today we are able to help their descendants whenever there is a need to.

(10) I have learnt that the success of a company must depend on the unity of all its employees. We are all in the same boat rowing against the current and tide and every able person must pull the oars to move the boat forward. Also, we must relentlessly endeavour to maintain and practise the values of integrity and honesty, and eschew and reject greed and arrogance.

(11) A few words of caution to all businessmen and women. I recall the Chinese saying: shibai nai chenggong zhi mu (failure is the mother of success). But in the last thirty years of my business life, I have come to the conclusion that the reverse phrase is even truer of today’s world: chenggong nai shibai zhi mu. Success often breeds failure, because it makes you arrogant, complacent and, therefore, lower your guard.

(12) The way forward for this world is through capitalism. Even China has come to realise it. But it’s equally true that capitalism, if allowed to snowball along unchecked, can in many ways become destructive. Capitalism needs to be inspected under a magnifying glass once a day, a super-magnifying glass once a week, and put through the cleaning machine once a month. In capitalism, man needs elements of ambition and greed to drive him. But where does ambition end and greed take over? That’s why I say that capitalism, if left to its own devices, will snowball along, roll down the hill and cause a lot of damage. So a sound capitalist system requires very strongly led, enlightened, wise governments. That means politician-statesmen willing to sacrifice their lives for the sake of their people. I don’t mean politicians who are there for fame, glory and to line their pockets.

(13) To my mind the two great challenges facing China are the restoration of education in morals and the establishment of a rule of law. You must begin from the root up, imbuing and infusing moral lessons and morality into youth, both at home and from kindergarten and primary school upward through university. Every Chinese needs to accept the principle of rule of law; then, you have to train upright judges and lawyers to uphold the legal system.

(14) Wealth should be used for two main purposes. One: for the generation of greater wealth; in other words, you continue to invest, creating prosperity and jobs in the country. Two: part of your wealth should be applied to the betterment of mankind, either by acts of pure philanthropy or by investment in research and development along the frontiers of science, space, health care and so forth.Tan Sri Robert Kuok Hock Nien (born 6 October 1923, in Johore Bahru, Johor), is an influential Malaysian Chinese businessman. According to Forbes his net worth is estimated to be around $10 billion in May 2008, making him the richest person in South-east Asia. He 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 and publishing.

ISTANBUL TURKI :GRAND BAZAR & SPICE MARKET

Ini buah Cherry...kalau ke Istanbul jangan tidak-tidak..beli lah buah ni tak rugi! okkk alahai promosilah pulak..

Strawberry ini juga salah satu buah yang best kat sini...tak masam!

Ok lah...hari ini saya mahu membawa anda membeli belah di Grand Bazar dan Spice Market. Pada pendapat saya barangan yang dijual di Spice bazar lagi muranh berbanding Grand Bazar...apa2 pun jom kita layan...

Jom meredah ke Grand Bazar yang menempatkan lebih dari 4000 kedai..Satu petua agar tidak sesat...lihat lah no pintu yang anda masuk..senang nanti nak keluar!

Dah sampai kat sini..dan disebabkan kesuntukan masa yang diberikan ..kami mengambil keputusan untuk berpecah dua...yang lelaki ikut Abe dan yang pompuan ikut I. Abe kata mahu cari kasut kulit...sebab..katanya mutu yang di buat baguuussss...I tak tahu samada dia berjaya mendapatkannay atau tidak...yang penting I dan Mie Tok dapat beli brg yang diidamkan sekian lama sebelum ke sini...heee.heee..

Di sini juga terkenal dengan pershwina...macam2 harga macam2 material...Kami beli...sebagai ole2..

Batu biru bermata putih ni sinonim dengan Turki. tak mahal mana..kalau yg kecil tu lah..saya dok tengok Suna beli bukan main banyak lagi key chain gitu gaye...untuk siapa tu...???

Pelbagai jenis pinggan hiasan di jual di sini ...i mesti beli punya lah...terkenang masa kat Beijing dulu tu..ingat nak rembat pinggan hiasan lepas gi makan...sudahnya melepas dan berputih mata...kali ni learn from mistake...jika hati tertawan dan cukup bajet..pejam mata terus beli....ok!

Macam-macam ade di sini..yang penting sediakan uwang secukupnya!

Cantik lampu2 ni..tapi dok pikir kalau beli tak ke..susah nak di bawa balik nanti...fragile!

Barang kemas!

Saya turut membeli beg buatan Turki buat my Little sofea and my sister Syafina...Suryati juga membeli dua beg untuk dua anak perempuannya..dan atas kepandaian dan skilmie tok..kami powww..tokei beg tu purse kecil satu sorang...

Pass...tu..dia soh kami beli carpetnye pulak...okkk alahai ..ingat dekat ke nak usung carpet tu..!

Barangan buatan tempatan...

Ada sabunnnn handmade..

Saya dan Mie Tok berenti kat sini..lama..beli a set of glass, lampu alddin, loceng, pinggan hiasan dll..

Dan dalam keghairahan membeli belah tu...saya tinggalkan mie tok kat kedai T.Shirt..soh dia pilih t.shirt2 untuk anak cucu sementara saya poi cari loceng hiasan...dan bila balik saya dapati mie tok tak de...panik...saya berlari ke hulu dan ke hilir..giler dah lah dia tak bawak hand phone..mana nak cari di celah2 lautan manusia ni.. saya roger kat Abe..aduihhh...dan sudahnya saya memohon pertolongan dari allah dan membaca..7x surah AlQul dan 7 x ayat Qursi..mohon petunjuk dari Allah.

Akhirnya...Mie tok ditemui...alhamdulillah..

Nasib baik ...mie tok dapat ditemui dengan selamat...kalau tak kecoh..heee..heee..mie tok ni selalu hilang lah!..Teringat peristiwa kami beramai2 ke Ayer Itam, Johor..pun kecoh sebab tak jumpa mie tok...rerupanya dok tengah asyiktengok langsir...sambil tu sempat membisik.." Mentang2 mie dah tua..selalu aje u ollsss..lupa..!" Itulah dek...keghairahan membeli belah...hal ini berlaku lagi ...adusss! Ya...ampun!!!

Dan untuk meredakan suasana...Abah Tok belanja kami makan aiskrim!

Lepas tu..kami di bawa menaiki bas unutk lunch...

Saya melilau dan sempat snap beberapa keping gambar kat restoren ni..macam2 ade..harap2 kali ini makanan yg akan dihidangkan ok lah..ye!

Hmmm...ok la..nasi ayam berempah..best gak le!

Dan kami meneruskan perjalanan ke Spice Bazar...kesumtukan waktu dah sebenarnya..cuma diberi masa kira2 setengah jam untuk "melepak" kat sini! Hilang akal!

Memang terkocoh-kocoh..tak puas sebenarnya! Well..apa bulih buat jom layan kita lihat sekali lalu apa yang boleh di beli kat sini!

Pistaschio...pelbagai gred!

Beli gak yang ini...nyesal lah pulak...koreihhh..u!

Pelbagai jenis turkish delight ada dijual di sini. rasenya tersangat lah manis! Oiii..manis giler lah!

Kami was2 sebenarnya nak beli tamar dan kekacang kat sini ke atau di Mekah/Madinah ..mana lebih baik..ekk...hitung punya hitung..belilah sikit.. agar tak terkilan..dan sayugia diingatkan rasenya kat Mekah/Madinah buah gini gaye lagi cheaper!

Kwang...kwang...viagra???

Pelbagai jenis rempah ratus..ada dijual..kami tak beli pun ..almaklum rasenya kat tempat kita pun tak kurang hebat! Alangkah bagus kalau Malaysia pun ada jual brg 2 gini gaye..ditengah2 kota...ada pelbagai aneka barangan boleh didapati dengan begitu mudah..

Selipar...adusss..macam kat Chow kit lah pulak!

Ayam...segar...

Jangan tak tahu kat Spice Bazar ni...sampai ke pokok2 pun dijual ..pendek kata apa ajelah yg terlintas..ada dijual di sini!

Ok la..dah puas meronda ke dua2 bazar ni...kami balik ke hotel untuk beristirehat..dan macam biasa only me and Abe aje yang tegar untuk merendut!

Saya sering nengok bread ke donut ke..yang berbentuk ring ni...merata2 di jual di Istanbul tu look so tempting...beli la..satu..adoii..rasanye tak semenggah rupa..tawar heber dan kerasss!

Eee...apa benar ini Istanbul? ...macam kampung gue kat Tanah Merah aje!

Masa untuk bersantai!

Ramai juga golongan yang berusia emas ...lepak kat sini!

Kami singgah sat beli...fresh oren...orennya sampai 5 biji...betui2 fresh...harap2 tak terkena cirit birit...nanya nanti...!

Ahaks.....ssss.. ada kedai SUNA (Syafina) ...dan USOP (boipren)! ??

Ada pameran karya2 anak tempatan ...ala2 pasar seni

Kami mengambil keputusan untuk jalan2 cari makan sendiri untuk hari2 terakhir kami di Istanbul. Almaklumlah sepanjang makan bersama geng2 travel ni....sori lah nak cakap...makanan yang dihidangkan...bertaraf..ala2 aje...bajet ciput gamaknye..mana tahan..kami ingin rasekan..makanan sebenar Istanbul yang dikatakan terkenal dengan kebab dan aneka makanan tuu..!

Walau terpaksa keluar bajet extra ...tapi hati puassss!

Kami beli ini....

Ini...bukan aiskrim tauuu...luar nye ubi dan di dalam nye...ada pelbagai jenis ubi..sayuran...kentang di blend dan...namenye...entahhh..lupa!

Dan ini! Nasi ni..Best sangat rasenye...!

Memandangkan masa kat Grand Bazar ari tu cuma beli sedikit aje Turkish Delight kami menambah lagi koleksinya kat kedai ni. Lebih variety dan fresh! Rasanya pun lebih enak! Don't worri...Tahan lama...Moral of the story ...alwiz looking for a fresh goodies!

Orang-orang di sini modern and stylish! Olawei...kadang2 dok tengah jalan ada pulak yng turut bawak "pet" mereka berjalan sama!

Di sini juga saya "terjumpa" kain cotton yang tersangatlah murahnya..dan tak terlepas peluang membeli sehelai baju knitting..harga...olawei..murah giler...RM8.00 aje! Rembat jangan tak rembat!

Saya tak ketinggalan untuk membeli buah kesukaan kami sepanjang berada di Istanbul ni...buah cherry, peach dan strawbery! Murah aje dalam RM6.00 to RM8.00 sekilo..berbaloi-baloi...manis letinggg!

Tak tahu apa ke jenis buah yang dijualnya..teratai??

Saya dan Abe terus menyusuri kedai-kedai berdekatan. Langkah dihayun cepat agar kami tidak ketinggalan bas yang akan membawa kami ke airport nanti..

Seperti yang saya nyatakan dalam bab2 yang terdahulu...Istanbul kota yang bersih baik di bahagian depan atau belakang bangunan.. jarang kelihatan sampah bertaburan tanpa urus! sesuatu yang patut kita teladeni!

Di persekitaran hotel kami...meninjau perjalanan dan telatah kehidupan seharian penduduk tempatan di Istanbul.

Alhamdulillah..pengembaraan kami di bumi Istanbul berakhir dgn kepuasan. Biar cuma seketika tapi sekurang2nya hati berdetik girang kerana berkesempatan mengenali bumi bertuah ini...

Insya Allah kami akan meneruskan perjalanan ke bumi anbia untuk menunaikan umrah pula! Semoga rombangan kami akan diberikan kemudahan oleh Allah SWT untuk mengerjakan ibadat ini dengan sesempurna yang mungkin.