| 'Handicapped' Entrepreneur Sees No Obstacle For Success |
|
WORKING IN SILENCE… Tengku Arman, assisted by his wife Azizah Md Yassin who also suffers from impaired hearing, are seen working on a batik fabric using the canting method in their workshop in Kuala Terengganu. Pix: Arjasneh Ahmad
|
By Tuan Azam Johan and Eo Pee See
KUALA TERENGGANU, May 27 (Bernama) -- Being deaf is no obstacle for 36-year-old Tengku Arman Harris Tengku Ismail to succeed as an entrepreneur.
He is among Terengganu's rare breed of successful 'people with disability' (OKU) entrepreneurs in the batik industry.
Looking back on his experience, Tengku Arman, who is the eldest of six siblings, said he ventured into the batik industry 10 years ago.
He started work as a welder at a workshop in Kuala Lumpur in 1990 after completing his education at the Sekolah Menengah Pendidikan Khas in Pulau Pinang and Sekolah Menengah Vokasional in Shah Alam, Selangor.
After a year in Kuala Lumpur, Tengku Arman had to return home due to his father's demise in a road crash.
HIS OWN BATIK ENTERPRISE
Tengku Arman, who communicated via sign language through his 59-year-old mother Wan Zaitun Wan Mansur, indicated that he started work at the Romi Batik production facility in Chendering here in 1991, and later at another batik house in Batu Burok for several years, before setting up his own batik enterprise.
He learnt the art of batik making until 1996 before venturing out on his own by setting up the 'Arman Batik' business at his house in Kampung Tebauk here. Through sign language communication with her son, Zaiton said initially Tengku Arman operated from a small hut constructed near his family home and produced batik on a small scale.
Later, the Social Welfare Department (JKM) provided him with a grant of RM2,000 to enable Tengku Arman to expand his business.
Realising that he was on his way to success, Tengku Arman applied for RM20,000 loan from the Majlis Amanah Rakyat (Mara) and the returns from his venture had allowed him make full repayment within a short period of time.
SETTLE HIS LOAN
"I was very happy when Tengku Arman managed to settle his loan in quick time, and this had given Mara the confidence to provide assistance to people like him," said Wan Zaitun.
Tengku Arman is assisted by his wife Azizah Md Yassin, 32, who also suffers from impaired hearing. They have three workers, who draw the designs onto the fabric using the canting.
Tengku Arman now has two silk batik shops named "Anas Butik" in Subang Jaya, managed by his siblings.
Tengku Arman's silk batik is priced at between RM200 and RM400 per piece.
OKU PERSONALITY
"During the festive seasons, I will run a kiosk at Subang Parade to display and sell my batik", he said via sign language.
Tengku Arman and his wife commute to Kuala Lumpur regularly to deliver his merchandise. They have plans to set up a boutique in Kuala Lumpur in the near future.
Tengku Arman's determination has earned him recognition when he was made the first president of the Terengganu Welfare Association For People With Hearing Disability (PKOCPT).
The PKOCPT was named the state's best association for the handicapped in 2003.
Tengku Arman was also named the 2007 OKU Personality (Business)and the OKU Personality (Overall) for 2005.
-- BERNAMA
|
|
|