D
atuk Dr Andrew Lim Tatt Keong, a distinguished figure in the Malaysian retail industry, believes Malaysia’s continued progress depends on its people’s confidence, optimism and willingness to take responsibility for the nation’s growth.
Reflecting on his own experiences, he said despite flaws, Malaysia’s system still provides real opportunities for upward mobility, as seen in local business success stories.
Lim, 69, who is Malaysia Retailers Association president, said whilst growing up in Penang in the 1960s, he observed how confident Malaysians were then.
“We were so confident… Malaysia was always the best. At that point in time, there was no question that Malaysia was one of the better developed countries in the Commonwealth,” he said in an interview with Bernama recently.
According to him, Malaysians are now “bombarded” with negative narratives that have, to a certain extent, affected their psyche.
“It’s like we are suffering from an inferiority complex. We’re not as good as others. But this isn’t true, so such negative narratives have to change,” he added.
NO PLACE LIKE HOME
Lim, who describes himself as a chai tiam owner, a Hokkien term used in Penang for grocers, is no stranger to local retail industry players, having acquired Gama Supermarket in Penang and Sogo Department Store in Kuala Lumpur in the early 2000s.
A lawyer by profession, he has steadily built up concerns in the local retail sector through the years, including acquiring popular brands such as Cold Storage, Mercato and Giant. He has also spread his wings across the causeway, acquiring Cold Storage in Singapore early this year.
Originally a lawyer, he gradually built up influence in the local retail sector over the years. Pix credit The Peak Malaysia.
“When I was a student in the United Kingdom doing law, I noticed one thing… there was a glass ceiling foreigners like me, if I had chosen to stay there, would have had difficulty breaking through.
“It’s the reality, it’s not racism, it’s just that the people there in their own society have their own network, their own circle of leaders and top performers.
“But when I returned to Malaysia, it was total acceptance. We’re all welcome to come back and do our best,” he pointed out.
Lim was a successful lawyer for 20 years before transitioning to business. He is currently the group executive chairman of both USP Resources Sdn Bhd’s group of companies and GAMA Group of Companies. He is also the deputy group chairman of SOGO Seibu Group of Companies in Malaysia.
Lim’s success, although well deserved, is something he attributes not to his personal capabilities but to Malaysia’s system that he grew up in and is still part of.
“The system we have in Malaysia allows us to thrive, to prosper and to succeed.
“People of my generation, who have had opportunities like me, have worked hard trying to succeed and have actually succeeded, I would say.
“Yes, we all had the personal traits that helped us succeed, but without Malaysia’s foundation or system that facilitated that, I’m sure all of us would have failed,” he said.
He cited the example of a neighbouring country where the retail industry for food and groceries is currently dominated by a cooperative set up in the 1960s. Over there, small grocery owners are unable to compete against such a dominant force.
He said the system in Malaysia, however, allows for better upward mobility and opportunities to grow and thrive, pointing to the listing of the company running the 99 Speedmart outlets.
“This is a Malaysian success story. Our system allows it,” he said.
Many successful business tycoons of today, he shared, initially worked as small-time subcontractors before becoming contractors and, eventually, achieving success through determination and hard work.
“Today,” he added, “they are all leading listed companies.”
WHAT IS WRONG WITH MALAYSIA?
Commenting on the negative narratives about Malaysia, Lim said on the contrary, foreigners – friends, businessmen and visitors – often tell him good things about Malaysia.
“It is very unfortunate, however, that Malaysians seem to be manipulated by issues played up on social media, seemingly aimed at inflaming the public and causing them to complain.
Lim took over Gama Supermarket in Penang and the Sogo shopping mall in the capital in the early 2000s. Image credit: EZMalaysia.news.
“They repeat the same things – ‘Malaysia is corrupt, rather dysfunctional, its civil service is slow’.”
The reality, he stressed, is totally different.
“Our GDP is growing, our exports are continually growing,” he said, adding that the MADANI government is doing its best to develop the nation further, unite the people and put a stop to petty politicking.
Drawing attention to a famous quote by former president of the United States John F Kennedy – ‘Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country’ – Lim said as citizens, Malaysians have the responsibility to try to contribute to a larger vision, rather than solely relying on the country to provide for them.
Malaysians today just need to shift their perspective from entitlement to accountability and realise that their active participation is essential for the country’s progress, he added.
“There are so many things that Malaysians can do for their country without waiting for others to help them.
“Help people around you. If you’re part of a community group, then be active, participate,” he said, adding that everyone should be thinking about how to contribute to national development.
“It’s about improving yourself, improving your immediate environment, just do a little bit. If there’s something wrong, then do something about it.”
MALAYSIANS HELPING MALAYSIANS
Meanwhile, commenting on racial politics in Malaysia, Lim believed that it is driven by personal agendas and personal profits.
Reflecting on the events during the COVID-19 pandemic, he noted that racial politics took a back seat when the ‘white flag’ movement began, adding Sogo and Gama supermarkets too played a part by sending food to those in need.
Lim said since supermarkets were allowed to operate during the pandemic, Sogo and Gama started their own initiatives to send food to people in need as their trucks were able to get around even though the movement control order was in force.
“Then people heard about it (our initiatives) and they jumped on board. They were donating anonymously, tens of thousands of ringgit, no questions asked. They said, ‘Just send it to people in need.’
“Nobody said, ‘I only want to donate to Chinese’ or ‘I only want to donate to Malays’… as long as a person needed help, food would be sent to them. There was no distinction of race or religion,” he said, adding that Sogo and Gama supermarkets also worked with community groups like Rotarians, besides using their own networks to send necessities to those in need.
“It was an excellent example of the Malaysian spirit, our spirit of Muhibah. Malaysians helping Malaysians.”
Lim firmly believes that the country can continue to grow and flourish if its people believe in themselves, step up and assume responsibility for making Malaysia a great country.
“The narrative must change. Please step up, don’t depend on others, every Malaysian must be their own great leader,” he added.
