5 ENTREPRENEURIAL TRAITS IN TAN SRI MOKHTAR AL-BUKHARY

INITIATIVE

Tan Sri Mokhtar always find the ways to explore and try something new in entrepreneurship. For example in shipping, agriculture, clothing, private projects and many more. Among the initiatives undertaken to finance the poor Muslim students from across ASEAN to study in Malaysia. In 2000, Yayasan al-Bukhary give donated a total of RM775 million to the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies, which is a famous center of Islamic learning in the world. Yayasan al-Bukhary is also currently assisting the Institute of Educational Development (MIED) in the project for establishing the Institute of Medicine, Science and Technology Asia (AIMST) in Sungai Petani, Kedah.

Besides that, Yayasan al-Bukhary involvement in projects initiated by non-Muslims are also highlighted. Although, Yayasan al-Bukhary has more emphasis on charitable projects that characterized Islam, it still contributes to projects run by non-Muslim organizations. For example, Yayasan al-Bukhary contributed RM1 million for Langkawi Project, which was initiated by the MCA project to raise funds for carrying out educational projects in rural areas and also provide scholarships to needy students.

Tan Sri Syed Mokhtar Al Bukhari was a man who never knew the meaning of failure and he always learn from any mistakes. He is also a prudent business mainly about the purchase and acquisition of a stake in a company and project. He seems to think of the interests of the public, especially the indigenous before making any important decisions in business. He has a superior personalized exemplary of all parties.

VERSATILITY

Tan Sri Mokhtar very versatility in many field of cariers. Although his highest education was only until form five, and he never went to university, but that doesn't mean he's lacked of knowledge. A whole lot of his knowledge and experience was gained through his own entrepreneurship experience during his youth time. 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.

He helped his father in breeding cow business, selling meats. His business is really good and it give it more confident to him. From that he start to make new changes to his entrepreneurship until he success. 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 himself. Tan Sri Syed Mokhtar was 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.

In appreciation of his enormous services and contributions, he was bestowed with several awards, which among others, include the Panglima Setia Mahkota (P.S.M.) by His Majesty Seri Paduka Baginda Yang di-Pertuan Agong, which carries the title Tan Sri and the Dato' Setia Mahkota Kedah (D.S.D.K.) by HRH The Sultan Kedah, which carries the title Dato'.

He also hoped that entrepreneurs are confident with themrself and what is being sought. More Bumiputera entrepreneurs can not succeed not because their ideas are not good, but because they are unsure of themselves. He has been expanding his business empire with interests in multinational companies in Malaysia such as MMC Corporation Berhad, Port of Tanjung Pelepas, Bernas, Gardenia, DRB-Hicom, Bank Muamalat, Pernas, Malakoff Berhad, Johor Port Berhad and more.

 Known as a figure who is generous and has a value of humanity exceptionally high, he founded the Islamic Arts Museum, Al-Bukhary Foundation, International University of Al-Bukhary, and also Al-Bukhary Complex. In addition, he also beautify the National Mosque and delivery sponsoring Malaysian pilgrims every year who can not afford to make the pilgrimage. The latest, high-minded millionaire has built mosques in several areas in Negeri Sembilan, other than in Alor Setar, Senai Airport, Johor and also in Jalan Pudu.

As "Billionaire philanthropist", pure nature that nurtured since childhood by his parents, Tan Sri Syed Mokhtar is someone who is always humble and never stingy with their knowledge and secrets of success in business. Excerpted from Syed Mokhtar Albukhary: A Biography essay Premilla Mohanlall, he had said, "My mother taught us that we do not have any money until we give him wholeheartedly, with the hope that it will make other people's lives for the better." Apparently humility are emphasized by her when he said, "Teaching for me is that we must always remember our origin, where we came from, and humble when given good luck. If not, we may fall."

ABILITY TO LEARN FROM MISTAKES

He never knew about failure in his life and he always learn from mistakes. He always be careful in his business. He responsible on what he was doing. He always think that wealth hat we get come from responsible. He said, he must do kindness although it small but it bless. He also didn’t selfish. Success and wealth is belongs to Allah and use it in the right way. He never give up, strong to wake up from mistakes.

Don’t make religion is the place to us to rely when we in trouble. I act according to the needs of affected but continue to strive to make every problem resolved as soon as possible. When he has a problem, he can solve the problem with wise and calm.  He did not give up under any circumstances. He said, to develop a strong business need to be patient and work.

He also advise young entrepreneurs do not want to succeed quickly. Every effort is absolutely necessary through a phase of adversity, challenges and so on. He took off his own example that starts from the bottom with the help of his father sold the cattle and buffalo in the village before reaching the stage now. If we go through the hard way, then we will find a way to appreciate and love. Usually when a breakthrough short, too easy for the business we do it crashed. "If we go through the hard way, then we will find a way to appreciate and love," he explained briefly.

PERCEPTIVENESS

He built his business at Kuala Lumpur to grab the opportunity to get the job from the government and he success to start commodity business such as sugar and rice. He is always looking for other business opportunities that can help others develop youth themselves and not just for himself alone. He is very happy to help others people. Tan Sri Syed Mokhtar Shah bin Syed Al-Bukhary started his business as an entrepreneur meat in 1970.

He is also the owner of Yayasan Al-Bukhary and is involved with the business based on farming, construction, engineering, infrastructure and ports. But in the 80s he wisely the money by switching to a transport plane that had brought him success and made it the richest Bumiputera corporate figure in malaysia. He wisely took a chance and use the opportunity to forge greater success. This is because, not everyone will see it as an opportunity.

FORESIGHT

He always have mission and vision to improve himself and have a high goals to success in what he undertakings. He patience and perseverance when he face an advanteges and always brave to face it. He always look forward and only thinks to be a successful people and help another people. He never feel fear to himself and confident. People always think that we must have money to survive.

That is make them lost from helping another people. Beside that, they will feel to the,self and they forgot wealth is never help you forever. He symbolises a generation of the Malay corporate figures who is capable in leading a number of business conglomerates. His success could be seen when he acquired 90% ownership of Seaport Terminal (Johor) Sdn. Bhd. in 1993. He was able to lay his hands on a mega project when Seaport was awarded a 30-year concession to build and operate the Port of Tanjung Pelepas (PTP), that made him a substantial majority shareholder.

He will focuses on one business until his business success and give benefit and then he will try new business. Like he was said, first business must stable before try another business. This is because, if another business is not really good, he already have a good business at the first.

The 9th Trait : FORESIGHT

 

The foresight is actually an unconscious thinking process. We often do not realize that we are engaging in foresight, yet it happens each time we think about future or something in advance before its occurrence. Successful entrepreneur must have a vision either in short-term or long-term. As entrepreneurs, their goal is not only to get high profit from the business but also to help the community around them. They should have lots of interesting ideas to produce new products to attract customers. Entrepreneurs must always have new ideas in improving their products as time goes on or creating new products that can practically solve customers’ problems.

For example, one of the successful Malaysian entrepreneurs that have this trait is Dato’ Haji Ramly Bin Mokni, the manufacturer of Ramly Food Processing Sdn. Bhd. Before he becomes a successful entrepreneur, he formerly worked as a butcher at the supermarket in early 1970’s. Actually some of the meats at the supermarkets are not totally guaranteed halal and safe to eat especially for Muslims. From that experience, Dato’ Haji Ramly got an idea to produce his own brand which supplies meats and sausages that are clean, safe and guaranteed halal to eat by Muslims. This example shows that Dato’ Haji Ramly is an entrepreneur that has a foresight trait in producing products that can help Muslims to find halal foods (Berita Niaga Bumiputera, 2009).

The 8th Trait : ETHICAL CONSCIOUSNESS

 

Ethical consciousness refers to the social acceptance of approaches to the natural environment that are based on values and moral principles that in turn translate into certain responsibilities and commitments to protect and care for the environment. When this situation is attained, then the term ‘resource husbandry’ can be used to refer to the manner in which people are managing their resources, that is “where the users, without external regulations, show great concern for maintaining the resource in spite of other short-term economic opportunities” (cf. Walters, 1986: 15). An entrepreneur must have an ethical consciousness before starting the business. If an entrepreneur gives an attention to ethical consciousness trait in their business, their business will be successful. The important aspect in this trait is corporate in a group, environment, relationship between entrepreneur and workers and others.

            The entrepreneur that has this trait is Ali Hassan. He is the founder of Al-Ikhsan Sports Sdn. Bhd. that sells various brands of sport equipment such as Nike, Puma, Adidas, Diadora, and many more. The quality is his uttermost priority in producing his products as to ensure the full comfort and safety of his products. He believes that the successful only comes from Allah SWT, and therefore his successful is based on right intention, honest in doing business, strategic location for business, being professional in making decision and all the products must be in good quality.

 

The 7th Trait : ABILITY TO LEARN FROM MISTAKES

 

Entrepreneurs do suffer for quite a number of failures before they are successful.  That’s not to say that they rust in with reckless decision making but sometimes even if they did make the best decision possible, things might not always go according to the exact plan.  Just like the old adage, “nothing ventured, nothing gained” means never feel afraid to fail, just go with the flow and give it your best shot.  In fact, failure can teach many lessons to those who willingly to give a try and often it leads to a bright future successes.

For example, the America’s favourite ketchup maker, Henry J. Heinz was actually started out his career as a horseradish peddler as it was a popular condiment especially among English and German immigrant families.  In 1869, he formed Heinz Noble & Co with his friend, L.C Noble and for the first five years the sales was good due to good reputation brought by the company until the Panic of 1873.  The economic was despressed and Heinz could not pay his creditors or employees so he and his friend filed for bankruptcy in 1975.

He never give up as he form a new company, H.J Heinz Company along with his brother John Heinz and cousin Frederick Heinz a year later with ketchu as their first product.  The company grew rapidly so they adding more products such as baked beans and pickles.  Heinz served as the president until he died in 1919.

 

The 6th Trait : PERCEPTIVENESS

 

Perceptiveness refers to the capacity to be aware of the needs, goals, and feelings of others and the greater social environment, which includes multiple others in the organization. Organizational members with high social perceptiveness are able to perceive accurately the social situation and determine the requirements of the social context. They are aware of their social environment and of the intentions and sensitivities of others. Their focus may be at the individual interpersonal level or at higher group or organizational levels (Zaccaro, Gilbert, Thor, & Mumford, 1991). An entrepreneur must have an effort to produce any products that benefits all customers. All the entrepreneurs must believe that all their products will be successful and if something wrong happens with the products or get any negative feedbacks from customers, the entrepreneur should find a solution for it.

            One of the entrepreneurs that have a perceptiveness trait is Datuk Wan Muhammad Sani bin Salleh, Pengarah Urusan Sani United Sdn Bhd. He started his business since he always went to the Terengganu from Kuala Lumpur by bus. This is the reason why he involved in the transportation business. Based on his own experience, he committed to serve a good bus service to customers. Before he started this business he already researched, analysed and setting up all the suitable strategies for this transportation service. Datuk Wan Muhammad Sani also involved in this business because it is challenging. It is not easy to make sure this business is at success and he is barely facing high risk. All of his efforts are paid off as currently he is hiring over than 150 staffs, operating at Wisma Dato’ Sani in Klang Sentral.