The rich spectrum of experience and successes from that of a real estate agent to that responsible for conceptualizing to developing hotels and commercial buildings locally and abroad, mustered in Mr Choong Hock Phung the impetus to foray into the hospitality industry. His early accomplishments included the transformation of the Central Market.

His foray into the entertainment business was challenging and in spite of the many setbacks, Mr Choong made a comeback with the phenomenal success of Emporium Grand Café which was soon followed by Beach Club Café, and a string of others. These outlets have turned the streets they are on into some of the busiest entertainment tourism streets in Kuala Lumpur. Mr Choong fully supports the Government’s drive to put Malaysia on the international tourist map and do so by continuing to provide international class entertainment spots as evidenced by his many on-going projects and plans.

Ever generous, Mr Choong spurs and backs his employees in similar endeavours and contributes significantly to local charitable causes. @ Sept 04

A Mechanical Engineer by training, Mr Mark Chang founded JobStreet.com in 1995. He created the site primarily to help Malaysian students overseas stay connected with family and local news, music and the job scene. In 2001, JobStreet.com began its global expansion when it established a strategic alliance with Australia’s largest online recruitment company, followed rapidly with similar North American and Chinese alliances.

Today it has a 17,000 strong client-base including multinationals and 3 million jobseekers in Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and India, making it one of the leading online recruitment companies in Asia. JobStreet.com’s internally developed recruitment software, SiVA and portal have been bestowed numerous prestigious local and international awards and recognition. Significantly, JobStreet.com is the only online recruitment company in Asia with TRUSTe privacy certification. JobStreet.com is now enroute to a MESDAQ listing.

Mr Chang spearheads efforts to help the Penang State Government increase the competitiveness of locally based software companies. He has initiated numerous community service projects, including projects for employment of the disabled and Missing Persons Project in partnership with MCA. @ Sept 04

During the recession in the late 80’s, Datin Dr Liana Low, an engineer and industrial psychologist by profession, acquired and steered a palm oil mill under receivership into a profitable outfit within 2 years. Tenacity, innovative production techniques and 7 mills forward saw the Bell Group, which she co-founded, expand into one of Malaysia’s largest private owned millers.

Her focus on research and development and her collaboration with world-renowned medical doctors and cosmetologists led to the diversification into the processing of oleochemical-based personal care products. A strong advocate of the green movement, she successfully pioneered the substitution of base formulations of these products with an oleochemical-base, thereby realising a range of the world’s first totally green and natural palm-based personal care products under the brand name of Liasari.

Datin Dr Low has been accredited with doctorate titles and excellence and quality awards from the Malaysian and Swiss governments for her research and invention efforts. Her legacy continues in the new engineering graduates trained at the Bell Foundation founded by her. @ Sept 04

In response to the worldwide demand in the early 90s, Y. Bhg. Tan Sri Dr. Lim Wee-Chai and his wife founded Top Glove in 1991 with the vision of exporting Made-in-Malaysia gloves to every corner of the world. The price slump in the mid 90s which drove many players out of the industry was a significant hurdle which Top Glove overcame with perseverance and shrewd management.

In a little over 13 years, the Group now has 7 factories in Malaysia, 2 in Thailand and 1 in China, with a production capacity of more than 9 billion pieces of gloves per annum and exports to 145 countries worldwide. A strong advocate of knowledge, Y. Bhg. Tan Sri Dr. Lim favourite personal philosophy is “Must Know, Must Do, Must Teach”. Listed on the Bursa Malaysia in 2001, Top Glove has won numerous local and international quality accreditations and excellence awards.

Recently Top Glove overtook Kimberly Clark to become the world’s Number One disposable latex and synthetic glove manufacturer. Under Y. Bhg. Tan Sri Dr. Lim visionary leadership, Top Glove is poised to remain in this position for many years to come. @ Sept 04