Since the government’s increased efforts to encourage international education for Malaysians, the growth in the number of international schools in the country has been quite phenomenal. Some are better known for heritage whilst others are better known for passing rates and quality of education. More and more Malaysian parents are sending their children to international schools and the reason could be that they believe these schools will provide a better quality of education for their children in many ways.  Here, Top 10 of Malaysia takes a look at its list of the top ten international schools in the country that are well established and are catering to the well-heeled, of course.

Tenby Schools

A group of international and private schools that first started in Ipoh, Perak in 1960, Tenby Schools are now found in five states, with another school set to open in 2018. Their vision, “A United World at Peace – Through Education” is dedicated to educating students from diverse nationalities in becoming global citizens. Tenby Schools currently offers the International Primary Curriculum (IPC), National Curriculum of England (IGCSE and A Level) and Malaysian National Curriculum to over 5,000 students. Additionally, CEO of Tenby Schools Malaysia, Mark Parkinson has extensive experience as an educator, in setting up schools and introducing innovative best practices in established schools.

Alice Smith School

Introduced in 1946, Alice Smith School offers a British education and is accredited as a British School Overseas by the Department for Education in London. It caters to pre-schoolers right up to Year 13 students and is first in Malaysia to be accepted by the Independent Association of Preparatory Schools (IAPS). Offering GCSEs and A Levels to 1,600 students from nearly 50 nations, its heritage and web of global alumni are accredited to its membership in FOBISIA (Federation of British International Schools in Asia) and COBIS (Council of British International Schools), amongst others and its Head of School, Roger Schultz, has a teaching experience that spans over 30 years.

The British International School of Kuala Lumpur (BSKL)

Founded in 2009, BSKL provides education to children aged 2 to 18 years and prepares students for entry into top universities worldwide through IGCSE and A Level examinations. The first in Malaysia to be graded excellent in all areas of educational provision by the Independent Schools Inspectorate, 71% of students achieved A*/A grades and 92% achieved A*/B grades in their GCSE examinations in 2016. As part of the not-for-profit British Schools Foundation (BSF) which promotes premium British education, BSKL’s academic resources complement its modern campus. The first school within BSF was founded by current Chairman of BSF, Stewart Fry.

The International School of Kuala Lumpur (ISKL)

ISKL is the first fully accredited international school in Malaysia and houses over 1,500 students from over 60 countries. Formed in 1965, the private and non-profit, parent-governed school is accredited internationally through the Council of International Schools (CIS) and Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). ISKL is the first International Baccalaureate (IB) accredited school in Malaysia and practises innovative approaches to teaching and learning. Under the leadership of Head of School, Dr Norma Hudson, ISKL hopes to achieve the Platinum Level Green Building Index (GBI) designation with its new Ampang Hilir Campus scheduled to open in August 2018.

Mont’Kiara International School (M’KIS)

M’KIS is a fully accredited North American Curriculum Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 12 international school, predominately catering to expatriate families since 1994. Boasting over 53 nationalities and authorized as an IB World School, M’KIS offers 41 IB Diploma Programmes of which all juniors and seniors are registered in at least one. Offering other programmes too, M’KIS allows students to take up an additional language from grade 1 and is licensed by the Malaysian Ministry of Education and accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). Its science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) curricula is expanding under Head of School, Trevor Laboski’s visionary leadership.

Marlborough College Malaysia

The first independent, British boarding and day school to open a campus in Malaysia on August 2012, Marlborough College Malaysia’s pupils aged 3 to 18 years are immersed into a community placing compassion, companionship and conversation at the heart of its educational philosophy and rich history spanning over 170 years. Maximising potential in academics and co-curricular activities to deliver a holistic education, its 90-acre campus allows for outdoor pursuits and places high value in the contribution of music, art, drama and service to others. Today, Marlborough College Malaysia continues to thrive under the leadership of Robert B Pick, Founding Master of Marlborough College Malaysia.

Nexus International School

Established in 2008, Nexus International School at Putrajaya caters to students from pre-school to Year 13. As part of the Taylor’s Education Group which is helmed by Group CEO, Dato’ Loy Teik Ngan, Nexus offers the International Primary Curriculum (IPC), IGCSE and International Baccalaureate Diploma programmes and is accredited by the Council of International Schools (CIS). Nexus’ boarding facilities are dedicated to students aged 10 to 18 years with the supervision of an expatriate Director of Boarding. It also earned the Apple Distinguished School title in 2015 and 2017 and is recognised as a Mastering School by the IPC since 2013.

Prince of Wales Island International School (POWIIS)

The first in Penang to utilise multipurpose electronic ID cards, POWIIS was established in 2011 with ideals firmly rooted in the British education system. Emphasising academic endeavour and an environment where children are treated as individuals, its pastoral system ensures personal tutors are responsible for each student’s overall wellbeing. Its specialised facilities complement the diverse extra-curricular offerings and experienced teachers provide 24-hour supervision and support at its boarding facilities. POWIIS graduates have been known to attend prestigious universities like Imperial College London and Berklee College of Music. An alumnus of Kings College London herself, Elysia Ong is CEO of POWIIS.

Labuan International School (LIS)

The only private and international school in Labuan since 1996, LIS caters for children aged 5 to 17 years with National and International Curricula for Primary and Secondary levels. Its UK National curriculum prepares young ones for progression into the Secondary School which teaches Cambridge IGCSE. LIS’ facilities support its commitment to deliver a world-class education and fees are reasonable given the quality educational experience. LIS’ challenging academic programme, coupled with lively co-curricular and extracurricular activities provides holistic development and as part of Pristine Era Sdn Bhd, the school is helmed by Chairman of Pristine Era Sdn Bhd, Datuk Ahmad Hizzad Baharuddin, who is also the school’s CEO.

Idrissi Islamic International School

Conceived in 2015 by founders who believe learning should contribute to the stewardship of the earth, it inculcates a shared responsibility between teachers, parents and students to develop wholesome children and make the school a success. Students participate in The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award at IDRISSI, which is accredited by Cambridge International Examinations and licensed by the Malaysian Ministry of Education. As the world’s first Eco-Islamic school, it received the Eco Primary Education Award in 2016. Moreover, IDRISSI’s co-founder and House Director, Datin Paduka Zaliza Alias was involved in producing the home-like environment as a backdrop for both an informal and formal curriculum.

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Cruising down the roads in Malaysia, it is difficult not to notice beautiful buildings lining the streets but little is known about the people behind their magnificent architecture. Their architectural prowess has amazingly transformed the skylines in the cities, residential hubs and beyond in more ways than one. Here, Top 10 of Malaysia shares its list of the leading architects in Malaysia, renowned for pioneering trends in architecture, impressive standards, and are responsible for some of the most stunning buildings that have been put up.

Tan Sri Dato’ Sri Ar Hj Esa Hj Mohamed

Established in 1978 by Tan Sri Dato’ Sri Ar Hj Esa and Ar. Goh Hock Guan, Arkitek Jururancang (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd (AJM) has a proven track record in architectural, town planning, urban design, landscaping and interior design projects. Primarily responsible for the planning of the satellite township of Subang Jaya, today the multi-disciplinary AJM offers integrated services to clients worldwide and has received several prestigious awards like PAM Gold Award 2006 for the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre. An architect himself, Tan Sri Dato’ Sri Ar Hj Esa is Managing Director of AJM which has completed several prestigious projects internationally.

Ar Wong Tung Ken  

As founding member of Ken Wong Architect which helps make up Unit One Design Sdn Bhd, Ar Wong Tung Ken founded Unit One with John Ding in 1996. Unit One architects generally analyse briefs and talk to clients for a detailed understanding, often designing creative and unexpected solutions by combining architecture, graphics, interior, retail and product design where necessary, to bring out the best of each project. Producing progressive works with design integrity and functional clarity is at the heart of the firm which has received multiple awards like Silver in PAM Awards 2016 under Low-Rise Multiple Residential category for 388 U Thant in Kuala Lumpur.

Ar Nazlan Baharudin

Managing Director of Arkitek Rekabina Sdn Bhd, Ar Nazlan Baharudin graduated from Nottingham School of Architecture in 1984. As a student, many of his works were exhibited by the Royal Institute of British Architects. Having designed and built numerous buildings hoping to return to the traditional master-skills of architects in design and fulfill his vision for Architecture for a Sustainable Future, he collaborates with Sir Miles Warren of Architecture Warren & Mahoney and Bicuadro Architetti of Italy, among others. Arkitek Rekabina has won numerous awards such as the PAM Gold Award 2017 for the Bangunan Azman Hashim, Graduate School of Business at University of Malaya.

Dato’ Sri Ar John Lau Kah Sieng

Graduating from University of Melbourne in 1973, Dato’ Sri Ar John Lau Kah Sieng had a stint with the government sector before forming Kumpulan Design (KD) Sdn Bhd in 1977 at Sibu. Winning the SesCo Headquarters competition in 1979, it has expanded with four offices and 114 staff, becoming Arkitek KDI Sdn Bhd. Arkitek KDI’s decades of existence is training ground for Sarawakian architects. It has completed projects abroad and locally like Menara Rimbunan Hijau, having won numerous awards like Best Business Centre at the international MIPIM Asia Awards 2010 for designing Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) and BCI Asia’s Top Ten Awards for four consecutive years.

Ar Alan Teh Yee Neng

After coming across the story of American Pritzker Prize-winner, I.M. Pei, Ar Alan Teh Yee Neng enrolled to study architecture at university, in Canada. Moving to Australia due to a scholarship from the University of Tasmania, he did an exchange programme in Norway and worked at a few firms before forming Atelier Alan Teh Architect (AATA) in 2005. AATA is studio-orientated, emphasising design, research and architectural discourse in line with commercial viability. Atelier Art Space and Gallery however, allows Teh to collaborate with artists and art communities. Moreover, AATA’s Univ360 Sofo Suites received awards at PAM Awards 2016, StarProperty.my Awards 2017 and Malaysia Landscape Architecture Awards 2017.

Ar Azlan Abdul Aziz

A graduate of University of Houston in Texas, Ar Azlan Abdul Aziz believes architects need to uphold their code of conduct to succeed in challenging economic environments. Driven by discipline and empathy for his surroundings, he aspired to be a marine biologist before deciding to pursue architecture upon mum’s advice. Spending his formative years among industry icons like Dato’ Ar Hajeedar and the late Datuk Kington Loo, he joined GDP Architects in 1991 before co-founding S & A Architects Sdn Bhd in 2000 which has won several awards since, like the PAM Awards 2017 for their Thistle Grove at Denai Alam project by Sime Darby Property.

Ar Chan Chin Yeow

Founded in 2003 by Ar Chan Chin Yeow, multi-disciplinary firm CY Chan Architect (CYCA) offers quality integrated services like master planning and architectural consultancy from design to execution. Trusting that paring down to the essentials brings value and style to homes, communities and environments in a world of limited resources, CYCA also believes architecture leads to a clearer thought passage and aims to exceed expectations with a thinking attitude towards creative problem-solving and with clients’ imperatives in mind. Having won multiple awards since, the most recent was a double win at PAM Awards 2017 for the Twinkle Villa project.

Dato’ Dr Ar Norzam Darmin

Norzam Architect (NA) is a firm with 25 years of experience and over twenty talented design staff founded by Ar Dato’ Norzam Darmin in 1991. Providing detailed designs and fast-paced construction, it integrates architecture, interior design and landscape design to support clients competitively and creatively. Engaged by many high-profile clients, its projects include a variety of developments, including commercial ones and historical buildings. Recently, NA had the experience of working on a conservation project for The Royal Polo Club in Pasir Pelangi for His Royal Highness the Sultan of Johor, which it received a Commendation award for at PAM Awards 2017.

Dato’ Ar Michael Ong Leng Chun

Michael Ong Chartered Architect (MOCA) is the in-house architectural design services arm of Quill Group, which is a leading integrated Malaysian company focusing on design, construction and property development. As Group Executive Director of Quill Group, Dato’ Ar Michael Ong Leng Chun co-founded Quill and formed MOCA in 1987. The group also has its own G7 Building Construction division and together, Quill Group and MOCA have received numerous accolades such as the PAM Architecture Excellence Award 2006 for Best Commercial Building and a Commendation award for PAM Architecture Excellence Award 2014 for their work on Philips Lumileds Malaysia in Penang.

Ar David Mizan Hashim

Founded in 1987, VERITAS Design Group is led by Group President and founding Director, Ar David Mizan Hashim along with 12 Principal architects. Offering a full range of architectural and support design services through subsidiaries and associates, VERITAS has offices in 6 countries worldwide. VERITAS’ work is marked not by a fixed signature, but rather a consistent approach inspired by the principles of good design and a sensitive response to site and context. Having presented its works internationally, VERITAS recently won Silver under the Commercial Low-Rise category at PAM Awards 2017 for the Menara PKNS project which was led by Principal, Azril Amir Jaafar.

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A bottle of bubbly is often recognised for its quality, class, style, heritage and luxury so it is not surprising that a bottle can cost from hundreds to millions of ringgit, especially if it is a limited edition. Here, Top 10 of Malaysia shares its list of the world’s 10 most sought-after luxury champagne brands.

KRUG (1843)

Johann-Joseph Krug founded Krug at Reims in Champagne, France. Now owned by a multinational conglomerate with other brands in its portfolio, the Krug family is still involved in key decisions today. A bottle of Krug Brut David Sugar Engraved “Quail Design in Flowering Tree” is priced at £1,080 (RM6,024.29).

MOËT & CHANDON (1743)

Founded by Claude Moët, the brand produces about 26 million bottles of champagne yearly. It also holds a Royal Warrant to supply champagne to Elizabeth II and its bottles have an average selling price of £832 (RM4,640.94) which is the cost of Moët & Chandon Bi Centenary Cuvée Dry Imperial 1943.

PIPER-HEIDSIECK (1777)

A German named Florens-Louis Heidsieck founded Piper-Heidsieck and as a top choice for Marilyn Monroe among others, Marie Antoinette was its first ever brand ambassador. A find of 200 shipwrecked 1907 Heidsieck bottles of champagne are each priced at a whopping £210,905.74 (RM1,178,366.99) today!

VEUVE CLICQUOT (1772)

The brand proves tempting to the ‘Kylie’ generation as its popularity grows among Tinseltown’s youth. Founded by Philippe Clicquot-Muiron, it also holds a royal warrant from Queen Elizabeth II. Naturally, a limited edition set of 30 75cl bottles of varying Veuve Clicquot champagnes can cost up to £13,500 (RM75,426.84).

LAURENT-PERRIER (1812)

André-Michel Pierlot founded the company which was willed to Eugene Laurent who ran it with his wife, Mathilde Emilie Perrier. Over time, her daughter sold it and in 1949, Bernard de Nonancourt took over. Today, his daughters manage it and just 75cl of Laurent-Perrier Alexandra Rosé 2004 can cost £298 (RM1,664.98).

LANSON (1760)

The origin of the brand started with François Delamotte who was succeeded by his son Nicholas-Louis in 1798.  Jean-Baptiste Lanson became a partner of Nicholas-Louis and he renamed the brand in 1837. Today, a 900cl bottle of Lanson Black Label Salamanzar Champagne Brut NV in a gift box can cost up to £490 (RM2,733.24).

G.H. MUMM (1827)

German winemaking brothers, Jacobus, Gottlieb and Phillip Mumm founded G.H. Mumm with 2 friends. Currently owned by French company, Pernod Ricard, Usain Bolt was appointed CEO (Chief Entertainment Officer) in 2016. Today, a bottle of 1952 G.H. Mumm Cordon Rouge Brut champagne costs £393.64 (RM2,196.40).

GOÛT DE DIAMANTS (2012)

Founder and CEO of Prodiguer Brands, Shammi Shinh is responsible for creating the world’s most expensive champagne which is the limited edition bottle of Goût de Diamants’ Taste of Diamonds as designed by Alexander Amosu. Launched in 2013, it costs £1.2m (RM6,704,608.38) and each bottle carries a Swarovski crystal.

POMMERY (1857)

Pommery founded a champagne business with Henry Vasiner and Adolphe Hubinet to support his newborn child. After he passed on, Madame Pommery took the reins, and the rest is history! Today, a 1982 Pommery Cuvée Louise Brut Rosé Millesime has an average selling price of £333 (RM1,857.39).

NICOLAS FEUILLATTE (1972)

Founded by Nicolas Feuillatte, it is the best-selling champagne brand in France and third worldwide, though the second youngest on this list. It has been enjoying a ‘sell-out’ status since its first batch of vintage bottles. A bottle of Nicolas Feuillatte’s Palmes d’Or Rose 2005 has an average selling price of £111.83 (RM623.85).

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1. Photography by Yaman Ibrahim 
2. Photography by Hairul Azizi 
3. Photography by Ashvin Varghese 
4. Photography by Andy Lim 
5. Photography by Daniel Ooi 
6. Photography by Edwin Tan 
7. Photography by Ho Mun Keat 
8. Photography by Woy An Chee 
9. Photography by Chu Teck Keong 
10. Photography by Daren Chong 

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The path to success is never paved with gold. Instead, more often than not, it comes with multiple hurdles that can floor even the most enterprising of entrepreneurs. With unwavering commitment and perseverance, Dato’ Jahlilawati Abu Bakar, Founder and President of BisnesJaya Resources triumphed over the hurdles in her business journey to reach her pinnacle of success. In a recent interview session with Top 10 of Malaysia, she shares her own success story and her desire to help others succeed in their business journey.

Dato’ Jahlilawati Abu Bakar comes across as an honest and enthusiastic person and she effortlessly sends inspirational vibes to anyone who aspires to achieve her level of success in the business world.

Her calling to be a businesswoman did not come early in her life. After graduating from Universiti Putra Malaysia in 1989, she began a career in information technology in the corporate sector which continued on for twenty years. At the peak of her corporate career, Jahlilawati arrived at a crossroad where she felt that she should do something more in her life.

“That’s when I started finding ways to make extra money. I spent a lot on online investments. I started off without any knowledge and unfortunately it led me into a financial crisis,” she says. Jahlilawati knew that she should find a way to fix her mishaps and the answer was through business endeavours.

“I stumbled upon Score A, an educational tool sold through a promising and lucrative network marketing model. It was completely new to me, but I was willing to learn and succeed,” shares Jahlilawati.

After two months of running the business on a part-time basis, Jahlilawati decided that she needed to give more focus and time on her efforts. She took a bold step in quitting her corporate job in 2009 after having considered all the risks and possibilities to do her business full time. “At that point, I gave myself an ultimatum. There was no longer a backup plan if my business fails. Being in that situation, I was forced to do my best and I am glad it really paid-off,” says Jahlilawati.

Her commitment and hard work soon brought her commendable results. In the same year, Jahlilawati managed to achieve an awe-inspiring level of income and was in the Multi-Millionaire Club with a monthly income of some RM160,000.

After her success with Score A, Jahlilawati then ventured into another business – Tone Excel referral program. Jahilawati brought tsunami/massive wave on network development and became a trend setter in this business. With her skills, she made her way up the ladder of success in no time. In her tenth month, She broke company record and also her personal record; her income soared to RM184,000 a month, an achievement that garnered her the Most Outstanding Achiever Award given by the company in 2013.

Jahlilawati’s third network marketing venture was Enagic Kangen Water, a Japanese company selling Kangen machines with alkaline ionizer technology for health benefits. Jahlilawati accomplished remarkable feat broke the Enagic WORLD record – became 6A within only 18 days of her registration; it is one of the rarest in Enagic history. Jahlilawati managed to earn an income of RM400,000 in the first month of her operation. Ever since then, she has also helped many members in her network earn as much as she does and become high-flyers themselves.

“I was lucky to have the right mentor and support. These were the people who are experienced in the trade and gave me full guidance towards achieving my sales target. I certainly have learned a lot,” explains Jahlilawati.

Before this Jahlilawati is only a distributor in all businesses, but this year, Jahlilawati continued to move forward by setting up DJ Moment, a new wing under BisnesJaya Group selling NaViX, an all-natural exclusively formulated anti-stress health supplement using the trading affiliate marketing business model.

Jahlilawati also runs BisnesJaya Academy where she dedicates her time to share her knowledge and skills about business, particularly in network marketing.

“I have always been passionate about sharing and teaching. My biggest reward is seeing people succeed in their business. That is when I know I have contributed meaningfully,” says the mother of three.

Jahlilawati emphasizes a lot about the importance of learning when venturing into business. “Find yourself the right mentor with an experience in the field that you wish to pursue. Learn as much as you can from them, do it, and you’ll get positive results. Do you dare to learn and chase your big dream?” she says.

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He was not born with a silver spoon in his mouth and yet, despite the challenges that arise, he strove to overcome them all. It was a lot of hard work and sacrifices. However, today, he can stand proud for what he has achieved. Top 10 of Malaysia speaks to Mohamed Sultan Ibrahim, the Founder, and CEO of GeotAuto Sdn Bhd, on his 30-year involvement in the automotive industry, the development of his company as well as how he has grown as a leader throughout the years.

Mohamed Sultan Ibrahim or Sultan, as he is better known as, is a well-recognized figure to many Selangor-based Peugeot owners as he is the Founder and CEO of GeotAuto Sdn Bhd. His connection with the French car brand has been established from way back when he graduated from the Federal Institute of Technology College. “After graduating, I worked at MBF-Peugeot Sdn Bhd for 17 years since 1988.” He started off as a mechanic but eventually, he managed to climb up the ranks and held the position of a service manager.

A couple of years before he left the company, MBF-Peugeot Sdn Bhd lost the franchise to Cycle & Carriage Automobiles. While many other employees acquired their Voluntary Separation Scheme, Sultan only received a letter that required him to stay with the company. “I was quite disappointed because I already got an offer with Cycle & Carriage,” reveals the 53-year-old entrepreneur. However, it was truly a case of a blessing in disguise.

Being the fast learner that he is, Sultan was soon promoted to a higher position. He proved his worth by generating profitable income for the company. Soon after, the management requested him to run the business. “I was motivated. I was always in the office by 7 a.m. and I would be the last person to leave at 8 p.m,” shares Sultan. “I never went for holidays or took medical leave,” he adds.

In 2005, Sultan decided to start his own workshop and that heralded the beginning of GeotAuto Sdn Bhd. “It was just an ordinary workshop,” he recalls. After three years, he applied for the authorized dealership from Nasim Sdn Bhd who by then had already taken over the Peugeot franchise in Malaysia. It was approved. Since then, GeotAuto Sdn Bhd was recognized as an authorized sales and service centre for Peugeot.

It was pretty smooth sailing from there until eventually, Dato’ Samson Anand George, the Chief Operating Officer of Nasim Sdn Bhd insisted that Sultan works on GeotAuto Sdn Bhd’s corporate image. “I consider it the biggest challenge because I had to raise RM600,000 and invest it to comply with the designated corporate image,” he explains. With the support from his family and staffs, he managed to pull it off.  It was indeed a sweet achievement for Sultan. Spreading it further, GeotAuto Sdn Bhd launched its very own showroom at Jalan 222 in Petaling Jaya in 2016.

When asked whether or not he expected the company to reach this level of success when he first started on his own, Sultan explains, “My aim is to be the number one. My style is if I do something, I’ll give it my 100%.” He also credited his family and staffs for their support and contributions. “I cannot do this alone,” he says.

Sultan views himself as a leader who practices democracy. “I consult my staff and listen to their views when there are changes or decisions to be made,” he says. Throughout the years, GeotAuto Sdn Bhd has received several awards such as Best Improved Outlet, Best Aftersales Service and Best Revenue Achievement by Nasim Sdn Bhd. However, Sultan is still not resting on his laurels. He looks forward to representing another car brand under GeotAuto Sdn Bhd.

He has some words of advice to those who seek to thrive in the automotive industry. “You have to be knowledgeable. If not, you will be cheated easily.”  He also believes that hard work, honesty and sincerity are the traits one must possess to be successful.

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For 135 years, Berli Jucker Public Co. Ltd (BJC) has been enriching the lives of the Thai people with its stellar business performance and commendable values. Ever since it’s USD6.02 billion acquisition of giant retail brand Big C in 2016, BJC has magnificently evolved from a supply chain and distribution powerhouse to a leading integrated retail platform in the ASEAN region. Top 10 of Asia speaks to Aswin Techajareonvikul, CEO of BJC and President of Big C Supercenter Public Co. Ltd on his aspirations for the company, and why empowering people is key in preserving its legacy.

Everyone falls silent as Aswin Techajareonvikul enters the interview room. His executive entourage stands by him, ever so ready to assist. As a young CEO in his early forties, Aswin may have many things on his plate, yet he exudes a focused and calm demeanour, as most outstanding leaders do.

Having been born into a family of Thai-Chinese entrepreneurs and exposed to the business realm as a child, a heavy emphasis on oriental family values during his developmental years has rubbed off on Aswin. His acquisition of knowledge grew in tandem with the growth of the business and he effortlessly translates values like hard work, perseverance and camaraderie into his organization.

Although Aswin pursued a degree course in industrial engineering from Chulalongkorn University, he rediscovered his passion for business upon undergoing an internship in Thailand’s banking sector.

“I was involved in the organization’s re-engineering team where I started to learn a lot about management. I found myself reading management books instead of engineering books, but I was eager to learn,” he shares.

His experience in the banking sector then led him to pursue an MBA from MIT Sloan School of Management and a concurrent Master’s degree in Public Administration from Harvard University. His next internship experience – a series of summer associate programmes with Goldman Sachs, adds on to his impressive managerial skills.

“I was based at the headquarters in New York and subsequently moved to Hong Kong and Singapore offices. I was exposed to a lot of different functions of investment banking such as investment management, fixed income, and equity research,” he recalls. Aswin’s career in the investment banking sector expanded from 2004 to 2006 during a brief employment with Morgan Stanley and UBS Investment Bank.

However, his tenure with BJC began in 2007 when he was appointed by the esteemed Chairman of TCC Group, Charoen Sirivadhanabhakdi to helm the BJC and Big C Supercenter under its Industrial Trading & Consumer Products division. Mandated to “reinvigorate” the business, Aswin was embarking on a journey to ensure the sustainability of the company in the next hundred years.

“I was honoured to be entrusted with responsibility in a reputable company that has gained respect and trust among its business partners,” he states. Although challenging, Aswin has no qualms shouldering new responsibilities and it was no surprise that he looked forward to the experience.

BJC itself already has four other divisions before the Big C acquisition, namely the Packaging Supply Chain, Consumer Supply Chain, Healthcare & Technical Supply Chain as well as Retail & Others, ranging from upstream to downstream businesses.

Big C Supercenter is currently under the fifth division, the Modern Retail Supply Chain, contributing to a staggering 65% of the company’s revenue in the fiscal year 2016 alone. As the 3^rd largest grocery retail group in Southeast Asia, the brand represents itself through various retail models from hypermarket to mini convenience stores all over Thailand, Vietnam and Laos as well as via e-commerce (Big C Shopping Online).

A lot of new changes have to be introduced to the organization as it evolves, from the minute details of retailing to managing its unique and diverse human capital. What was once mostly a business-to-business (B2B) nature has now included business-to-customer (B2C), taking on a completely different ball game.

To date, BJC and Big C Supercenter employs almost 50,000 people from many different backgrounds and skills across operating countries. With the company’s people-centric values, Aswin believes it is essential to gear everyone onto the same transformative path.

“BJC is an established company where most things are done in traditional ways. Introducing changes is difficult but not impossible. In the beginning, we did a lot of re-engineering and restructuring, including promoting from within and aligning incentives,” he says.

“This includes introducing the Employee Stock Option programme for executives to benefit from having a shareholding in the company. We instilled confidence internally through small wins, to prove to our people that the changes are leading to fruition,” he adds, sharing that ever since the implementation, there has been a notable expansion of revenues, net profit and market capitalization.

Besides reorganization, Aswin’s team also spends a lot of effort in re-evaluating and forming new values for BJC. “Our people come from different walks of life. We need to identify a culture that is broad enough to encapsulate this diversity, yet specific enough to be set as a core culture of the organization,” he explains, adding that company culture is especially crucial for a diverse organization such as BJC.

“The real challenge lies in engaging people and aligning them towards the same direction. Communication is essential and never enough, given the complexity of the organization, but we strive to keep them on point,” Aswin adds. Embracing the old and new generations of employees alike, Aswin believes that the key to managing a diverse human capital is acknowledging and leveraging on their capabilities.

He attributes BJC’s strength to its strong values and its invaluable pool of professional experts. “Our professional capabilities enable our business to grow, but at the same time we are driven by family-oriented values such as entrepreneurship, unity and taking care of each other,” he elaborates.

BJC has now expanded well beyond Thailand. Today, it has made its presence in Malaysia, Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia, mainly in the agricultural, manufacturing, packaging and consumer products sectors. “Our philosophy is that in order for us to prosper, we have to contribute and give benefit to the community,” Aswin explains.

BJC’s various CSR programmes include those in its motherland Thailand, where the company currently supports the Royal Thai Government in various programmes involving public and private sectors, such as re-building remote schools, developing teachers, supporting the abused and human-trafficked women as well as the handicapped. BJC also works closely with the Vietnamese government to promote food safety in their country.

“We often employ local people and most importantly we encourage them to grow professionally,” Aswin shares. He is now in his tenth year helming BJC, but there is much more to do in moving the company further ahead. His aspirations for BJC is to see it grow into a learning organization, thus attracting the best people to contribute, learn and grow.

“We believe in people, especially the dedicated and passionate ones. It takes a strong heart to persevere and move forward. This would also be the core DNA for the generations of BJC to come, a legacy that I would like to leave behind,” says Aswin.

Looking into Asia, Aswin hopes that in the near future, the nations will come together and leverage on each other’s strength to create something meaningful for the Asian business community. “The more united we are the greater the opportunity for us to succeed on the global front,” says Aswin with an unmistakable expression of conviction on his face.

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Dato’ Dr Lawrence Walter Ng Founder, CEO, International Chief Master Trainer of Lawrence Walter Seminars is an Inspirational Master Trainer for 31 years since 1986. He is a winner of JCI World Award in Commercial Education and also the author of Passion for Extraordinary Performance, The Art of Learning and The Mental Warrior. Being a lively, encouraging and dynamic speaker, his speech presentation is entertaining and humorous.

Dato’ Dr Lawrence Walter Ng is the foremost expert in Mindset Transformation Training for organisations, teams and individuals and also a Chief Motivational Strategist. He has over 30 years of training and consulting experience and is also one of Asia’s Top Motivational Speakers and Master Trainers. Specialising in Active Audience Participation Learning Technology, Dr Ng possesses a deep understanding of the Art of Accelerated Learning with an acute ability to detect and transform behavioural patterns. Besides, he is also the Lead Designer of Strategic and Creative Games to arouse previous habits and replacing them with a brand new mindset.

Various CEOs have acknowledged Dr Ng as having the impact in delivery and has great knowledge in engaging his audience to feel the power of positive work culture, passion and a winning mindset.

Dr Ng has also successfully held outstanding and award winning corporate trainings for over 2 million people in 2,000 organisations in 14 countries all around the globe. His customised training solutions & strategic motivational modules have inspired many employees and leaders to advance their organisations both in profits and income.

Many organisations have also achieved amazing breakthroughs and showcased turnaround capabilities and these are the results of Dr Ng’s positive mindset transformation training. Some of these training have attained government and international recognitions and garnering awards along the way. Lawrence Walter Seminars was also regarded as among the best training companies in Malaysia.

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Cathy Siah, the Managing Director of Viederm Marketing Sdn Bhd believes that opportunities abound and we need to be ready for them. Together with Taevin Teh, the founder of Vie Signature, they created a superior and trustworthy beauty brand which gives ‘vie’ (life in French) to skin and people around them. The perfect partners speak to Top 10 of Malaysia on how they came together to form a successful beauty care empire. 

The parents of Cathy Siah and Taevin Teh hoped for them to become professionals. “When I told my parents that I wanted to be a beautician, it didn’t register well with them as they thought that being a beautician means you are only a skilled worker,” says Cathy who entered the industry after she got married. “I went on to train as a beautician and started a company distributing beauty products. The business grew but I wasn’t contented. I met Taevin about 5 years ago and the perfect partnership was formed.”

“Taevin is a sensitive and compassionate gentleman who is always interested in doing the best,” says Cathy. “I chanced upon some friends who were miserable because of their bad skin complexion. I knew how this could affect a person’s confidence and pride so I started doing lots of research on skin and getting in touch with specialists in the industry. It was a few years later that I met Cathy and we formed Vie Signature,” recalls Taevin.

Cathy already had lots of experience in the beauty industry and she admires Taevin’s passion and desire to create a beauty brand. “I toiled for 3 years in the research and development of Vie Signature and my first successful test was done on Cathy. Initially, Cathy’s skin condition was at a very bad stage. She had been using all kinds of unsuitable products and was on doctor’s prescription drugs for 2 years. When she tried my formulas, her skin’s condition started slowly improving and compliments started pouring in,” says Taevin. This boosted their confidence and belief that their brand could make a positive impact in the market.

Within 5 years, Vie Signature has grown by leaps and bounds in Malaysia and Singapore. “Every business has its challenges. For Vie Signature, it is the presence of online competitors. Ensuring the authenticity of brand and products is essential,” says Taevin. “We are most concerned for customers who buy miscellaneous unknown brands as the origin of the product is questionable. It is always best to understand a brand and try out its sample before purchasing,” says Cathy.

On her leadership style, Cathy says that she has a very open and flexible approach for her staff. “They can work from anywhere and anytime as long as they are able to get results that they are happy with because I understand the needs and wants of women.” “Although I can be strict during trainings, I regard them as family members and would desire the best for them. I treasure them immensely because without them, the brand would not be where it is today.” Taevin, on the other hand, always takes care of everyone and everything.

The gorgeous Cathy is the face of the brand and she markets the products while Taevin, the brain, creates the products and rolls out the business plans. As of now, Vie Signature has 3 product ranges: the Re-Everthing Series which helps to detoxify skin; the 7 Days Pure Skin Program that provides instant rejuvenation to skin; and the Color and Cover Age Series which combats ageing. All Vie Signature products have Swiss glacier water in them as it is choke-filled with minerals in itself and is able to penetrate deep into the epidermis to refresh skin.

“We plan to open La Vie Signature outlets and an academy in 2018. In 5 years’ time, we wish to see Vie Signature make its presence in South East Asia and be the go-to professional beauty brand,” say Cathy and Taevin. Their advice for budding entrepreneurs is that one needs to have immense passion and interest in the chosen industry and the perseverance to soldier on because success does not come overnight.

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Event planners play an important role in ensuring that events turn out exciting and memorable regardless of whether they are kid parties, weddings, corporate or gala dinners. Their creative and professional touch need to be spot on to win the praise and patronage of clients. In this issue, Top 10 of Malaysia shares its list of top 10 event planners in Malaysia whose creativity and attention to details have earned them a place in the hearts and minds of many a customer for the successful events that they have executed.

 Sumo Eleven Sdn Bhd 

May Teh, May Ong, Denise Tan and Steven Chan are the founders of Sumo Eleven Sdn Bhd, believe that it is vital to develop good relationships with clients in order to have successful event campaigns. Their primary focus was for the company to set up practical events, brand campaigns and engage in other creative concepts that are unique. Sumo Eleven has won several awards both locally and regionally. Its achievement has garnered the trust of brands and organisations such as Martell, Mercedes-Benz, Chivas Regal, British High Commission and TGV Cinemas.

Ice Cream Events (M) Sdn Bhd

Ice Cream Events, formed in 2009, was started by its 3 founders, Dindran Kumar, Herain Kumar and Shannon Gomez as they are passionate in exploring various types of events based on creativity. The company has created the most exciting and successful events for their clients and the events cover conceptualised build-ups to exciting treasure hunts, glamorous gala events and even stately company functions. Among its clients are Berjaya Times Square, Public Bank, ECM Libra, British High Commission, Quill and Arachem.

MY Wedding Planner

MY Wedding Planner, established in 2010, provides wedding planning and consultation services. Its founders are Patricia Chan and Lane Ho, a certified wedding and event designer and they started this company in 2005. Realising that every wedding is unique and there are the elements of both fantasy and reality, Patricia and her team ensure that creativity, integrity, reliability, vitality, peace and environmental awareness are well taken care of to bring the dream wedding to life. This agency has completed many memorable weddings for couples from different countries, races and cultures based on their style and preferences.

Latitude 5 Production

Latitude Five Production, also known as L5, was set up in Penang in 2012. Its diverse services cover marketing and promotional events like exhibitions and roadshows, corporate events such as conferences and gala dinners, intimate events like weddings and house warming, and special events in the likes of parties and festive celebrations. It has its wings spread across all major cities of the country and in the region to take care of the local co-ordination and management as well as providing services in Singapore, Thailand and Indonesia. Some of its milestones include the 38^th Asean Glass Conference Grand Opening Ceremony, AMD Penang Team Building, Da Ma Cai Charity Night, Valiram Annual Dinner and Astro events.

Zebra Square

Zebra Square is a creative event agency that provides its own space for events. It believes that life’s important moments is all about celebrating and creating beautiful memories. Its dynamic venues could be adapted for occasions such as wedding receptions, corporate dinners and even private birthday parties. It has successfully organised and launched grand events covering banquet to theater-style seating arrangements, stand-up receptions or cocktail parties. Its team comprises visual artists, interior decorators, set builders, AV and IT professionals. To date, Zebra Square has also successfully managed wedding events for different races with good reviews and feedback on the venue and the delicious food that it provides.

Define International Sdn Bhd

Andrew Anthony, the founder of Define International Sdn Bhd, has over 3,000 clients to his name. The company has won numerous awards including being an ISO Certified Company and having UKAS ISO 9001/2008 status. It covers events such as annual dinners, conferences and exhibitions, family days and carnivals, festive events, treasure hunts, team buildings, sporting events, roadshows and gala dinners. Among other milestones achieved were the TOUCH Campaign, IMAX Cinema Launch in Penang, Activating Google, UICH 2014 Kuala Lumpur, M3nergy Ship Launching and IMAX Cinema Launch at Sunway.

Jiggee Asia

Jiggee Asia was established in 2001 and is a leading independent full-service event management agency with branches in Singapore and Kuala Lumpur. It manages public and private business or pleasure events regardless of the number of attendees. Having over 16 years’ experience in event management with around 500 clients, Jiggee has executed special events, launches, gala dinners, conferences, exhibitions and private soirées for Coca-Cola, Allianz, United Overseas Bank, Deloitte, AirAsia, Ernst & Young, Microsoft Pfizer and Nissan.

 Genio Sdn Bhd      

Genio Sdn Bhd was established in 2004 and this award-winning integrated event management and production company is well known in delivering outstanding events in Malaysia and across Asia. It is also recognised for producing some of the largest, most sophisticated, innovative and memorable events for world leading brands and individuals. Among its services are corporate dinners, road shows, exhibitions, product launches, theme parties, concerts, fashion shows, internal conferences, awards presentations, opening ceremonies, family day, sports carnival, sales campaign with promotion and team building.

Milestone Production Sdn Bhd

Milestone Production Sdn Bhd is an award-winning event Management Company in Malaysia. With 15 years of experience in this industry, it provides consultation and services for events locally and internationally which covers event management, integrated marketing services and show production. It is also a proud recipient of the Excellence in Experiential Event Marketing and Excellence in Integrated Marketing (B2B) Gold Award 2014, Excellence in Public Relations and Excellence in Sponsorship Activation Bronze Award 2015 and the Excellence Brand Award at the 15^th Asia Pacific International Entrepreneur Excellence Award 2016.

The Party Project

The Party Project Malaysia is one of the best stress-free party-planners in Malaysia. Laverne Chee, founder of the Party Project and also a wedding planner from The Wedding Project, is known for planning elaborate themed parties for her clients. Her team is also involved in providing customised services for the organising of festive celebrations that include birthday parties and baby showers. This event planner is a suitable go-to for parents who would like to shower their kids with a memorable and fun birthday celebration.

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Times have changed and so has the advertising industry.  Modern day advertising has certainly become a lot more complex than it was before. With print ads, radio, TV commercials, social media, websites and more on the rise, a lot needs to be considered when creating, planning and managing a client’s advertising requirements. A growing population coupled with a thriving consumer base has seen the rise of advertising agencies in Malaysia. In this issue, Top 10 of Malaysia takes a look at its list of the top 10 advertising agencies in the country that are being recognized for delivering big ideas and gaining impactful results.

Leo Burnett

Leo Burnett Worldwide believes in using a creative approach to drive dynamic business changes for its clients. Through a HumanKind approach to marketing, the agency puts a brand’s purpose at the centre of communications to transform human behaviour. It is one of the world’s largest agency networks with 96 offices in over 80 countries and over 8,500 employees. The award-winning agency works with some of the world’s most valued brands such as McDonald’s and Samsung. Its Malaysian clientele list includes Petronas, Carlsberg among many others. Leo Burnett Group Malaysia is also a 3-time Gold winner of Malaysia Creative Agency of the Year

FCB Kuala Lumpur

FCB Kuala Lumpur transformed into a locally-owned creative agency and this worked well as it sparked an amazing turnaround that steered it away from major challenges. With a hands-on, energetic team and incredible group of diverse talents led by CEO Shaun Tay, Chief Creative Officer Ong Shi Ping and CFO Liew Kok Heng, the agency’s goal was to own the space between large network giants and local boutique shops. The agency’s client roster includes Motorola Asia-Pacific, RHB Bank, Havaianas and Levi’s to name a few, and its reputation for creative effectiveness has won the firm numerous awards from MARKies, PMAA Dragons of Asia and Marketing Excellence Awards.

Kingdom Digital Solutions

Award-winning digital agency Kingdom Digital Solutions was founded in 2007 by Ryan Ong and Aravindan Chinnaraja. The agency offers creative ground-breaking digital solutions driven by strategic ideas and insights to help brands build lasting relationships with their consumers. The firm specialises in content strategy and creation, social media marketing, website design, display ads and digital creative production. It works with large brands across various industries such as Maxis, Sime Darby, Tesco and others. This year, the agency was named Local Hero for Digital Agency and Social Marketing Agency at the A+M’s Agency of the Year 2017.

Lion & Lion

Founded in 2012 by managing partners Hugh Barley and Casper Andersen, Lion & Lion established itself in the region with offices in 6 major cities including Kuala Lumpur, Hong Kong and Singapore. With its growing portfolio of clients including Google, the Coca Cola Company and Nestlé, Lion & Lion focuses on transparent and measurable results through a data-drive and strategically-led approach to digital marketing. Its mission is to help clients with impactful marketing through an organisation where talented people are motivated by helping businesses grow.

Roar Point

Roar Point is a brand consultancy that provides customised solutions to marketing challenges. It tells a great story for the brand to ‘roar’ so businesses get the results needed. Roar Point provides brand and market strategies, integrated marketing, marketing communications and advertising, brand development and digital marketing services. It helps its clients get the optimum combination to deliver best results. Its list of clients includes Family Mart, Aeroline, Golden Screen Cinemas and Maggi among others.

Dotplus Communications

Within 7 years of its inception, Dotplus Communications has already risen to be one of the leading advertising agencies in the country. Dotplus’ strength lies in an experienced creative team who blends its vast knowledge in branding, creative design, web interactive design and video production. Even though it is relatively new, Dotplus has already accumulated a strong client list that includes leaders in telecommunications, property, healthcare and finance industries. It has even won the 2015 Grand Award at the ARC Awards International and produced over 100 annual reports for local and international conglomerates.

Grey Group Malaysia

Grey Group is one of the largest advertising agencies in the country and is dedicated to delivering big ideas that accelerate brand possibilities using ‘SHIFT’, an exclusive tool to create powerful businesses and building brands with creative ideas. It also conducts an annual research called ‘Eye on Asia’ to determine powerful underlying trends that help shape current branding and communications. It works with top brands such as Allianz, Webe and Volvo, and currently has offices in Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, Philippines and Malaysia.

Brandthink Malaysia

As its name suggests, Brandthink Malaysia does work that changes perception and influences behaviour. Being one of Malaysia’s fastest growing advertising agencies, Brandthink has been known for providing not only advertising services but also PR and events. It has worked with big clients in luxury, fashion and lifestyle to launch iconic brands in Malaysia, Singapore and other countries in Asia Pacific. In 2011, it was voted PR Agency of the Year (Silver) and Direct Marketing Agency of the Year (Bronze) by Advertising + Marketing Magazine.

Isobar Malaysia

Part of the Dentsu Aegis Network, Isobar is a global award-winning innovative agency. Being experts in brand commerce and product and service design capabilities, it creatively solves client challenges, delivering the best results for many brands including Adidas, Coca Cola, and Mondelez, among others. With 6,000 people in over 85 locations all over the world, Isobar constantly takes on new challenges and continues to transform businesses. Some of its accolades include Digital Agency of the Year 2015 (Gold) and Best Cause, Charity Marketing or Public Sector Campaign (Gold).

Naga DDB

Naga DDB considers itself to be storytellers creating work that matters to people. The people of Naga DDB strongly believe that creativity is a powerful force that certainly makes an impact. According to its clients, the Malaysian-based creative agency is able to provide creative ideas yet still maintain true to the local Malaysian culture and not diverting itself far from the current trends and changes. Its clientele list includes Lipton, Digi, Astro and Prudential.

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A number of fashionistas are now becoming household names in the country, having been featured in top magazines and commercials. Some even have utilized their fame to start their own businesses. But what makes them fashion trendsetters? Here, Top 10 of Malaysia shares its list of the top 10 female fashionistas in Malaysia who are showcasing their day-to-day outfits with their own unique and distinctive styles, riding on the crest of the fast changing fashion scene.

Amanda Liu

Like many others, Liu started blogging in 2007 to rant about her daily life. However, when she enrolled in college, she started paying closer attention to her personal style as everyone on campus always seemed well-dressed. That was when Liu started posting photos of her outfits on social media. Apart from being a social media influencer, she also works as a buyer for an e-commerce company. Liu enjoys fashion and being creative in showcasing product reviews. During her free time, she enjoys hiking, snorkeling and diving.

Fyza Kadir

Kadir has always been exposed to fashion since college, where she majored in Fashion and Textile Design. Upon graduating, she worked at a boutique as a junior fashion designer. Kadir made a foray into filmmaking at the age of 26 but it didn’t last long as she felt that it wasn’t for her. She married businessman Ahmed Feruz Zainul Abidin and they’re now known to be one of the most stylish fashion couples. Kadir’s Instagram is the perfect spot for those who enjoy looking at vacation photos that are filled with sophisticated outfits.

Sazzy Falak

Born and raised in Kuala Lumpur, the mother of two is not only a TV presenter, emcee and actress, but she is also an entrepreneur and fashion enthusiast. Combining both her passions, she founded Street Fashion KL by Sazzy Falak, a women’s apparel label designed by Falak herself who carefully handpicks the collection of clothes. She is married to financial coach Nazril Idrus who is a celebrity on his own, having appeared in dramas and films.

Nur Fazura

Considered to be one of the most stylish women in Malaysia, Fazura is a singer, actress, TV host and entrepreneur. She studied fashion at Fashion Design College but quit after a while due to lack of interest. Thankfully, she was discovered and given her big break by film producer Datin Rosnani Jamil, and that was when her career kick started. Ever since, Fazura has done several feature films, hosted television programs and also became a judge in comedy show Maharaja Lawak Mega. She also starred in her own reality show, Facing Up To Fazura which aired all across Asia.

Noor Neelofa Mohd Noor

This celebrity turned entrepreneur is no stranger to publicity. She has been in the entertainment industry for 7 years before starting up a few businesses, including the now successful Naelofar Hijab. The brand reportedly raked in a staggering RM50 million in sales back in 2015, and is reaching the RM200 million mark this year. Naelofar Hijab was part of the Swarovski Sparking Couture Infinity Exhibition which was held in Dubai recently that saw many other notable designers. Being included in the list of Forbes Asia 30 Under 30 is one of her many accolades, in addition to the numerous awards she has received over the years. Naelofar Hijab is one of the pioneer modest wear brands which come with chic and hassle-free designs, along with affordable price tags, and is now one of the most successful clothing brands in the country.

Stephanie Lim

Fashion has always been Lim’s passion and that was certainly a factor in helping her carve a name for herself in the fashion industry. She enjoys incorporating fashion with her travels, dressing accordingly to each season. Lim enjoys experimenting with style, but does not necessarily follow trends as she prefers sticking to her own signature styles. She has also won a number of awards over the years that include being the Female Magazine Blogger Awards winner and GUESS Jeans Blogger Awards winner. Her advice for aspiring fashioniastas is “Flaunt what you have”.

Siti Sarah Shah Nor

Siti Sarah is a hit among the online modest fashion followers in Malaysia. Her husband started an online business called Ammara, a boutique catering to modest fashion market. At the time, there were not many local brands catering to this market and that is why it became a hit. She showcased the Ammara collections at the Islamic Fashion Festival KL and Malaysian International Fashion Week, and in time went on to become Vice President of AMAED (Association of Muslim Apparels Entrepreneurs and Designers) which was initiated to combine all modest fashion designers. She is also the CEO of Modvier, a multi-label store based in Bangsar.

Datin Vivy Yusof

Fashion Valet needs no introduction as it is becoming such a popular name in the Malaysian fashion world. That is the brainchild of fashion icon, Datin Vivy Yusof. Following the success of the multi-million dollar company, she launched dUCk, a fashion company showcasing scarf collections. Yusof has won several awards over the years and graced the covers of high-profile magazines. Not only is she one of Malaysia’s top bloggers with 250,000 monthly hits on her blog Proudduck, she has also been featured internationally by BBC, New York Times and Forbes.

Marion Caunter

This Portugese-English-Chinese Malaysian beauty is no stranger to the camera and donning fabulous outfits. She lives a fast-paced career in television, known for hosting The Biggest Loser Asia and E! News Asia and donning latest designer collections from world renowned brands. Caunter’s fashion sense is certainly turning heads and she was the only Malaysian woman honoured by Dior with exclusive front row privileges at Paris Fashion Week. When she is not influencing her followers on Instagram with her style, Caunter can be seen enjoying the company of her husband, entrepreneur SM Nasarudin SM Nasimuddin, and her 3 children.

Venice Min

Min taught ballet classes at the age of 15 but she wanted to achieve more in life. She started off her modeling career when she was approached by a local talent agency. Not too long after she signed up, Min received numerous modeling jobs. In no time, the face of Min splashed across billboards, television and print.  She also aspired to be an entrepreneur since young and started investing in businesses at the tender age of 20. Being a fashion icon, Min has worked with well-known international fashion brands including Coach and DKNY, and has also participated in the New York and Milan Fashion Week.

The post Top 10 Malaysian Female Fashionistas appeared first on Top 10 of Malaysia.

Siti Roziana Binti Zin, better known as Ziana Zain originates from Merlimau, Melaka. This beautiful singer and actress is also a well-known brand ambassador and entrepreneur. In this issue, Top 10 of Malaysia is proud to highlight the achievements of this amazing talented beauty who is inspiring in so many ways.

 Ziana Zain started her career in the local music industry in the year 1990 with international recording company BMG Asia Pacific and has captivated her Malaysian fans with her signature single album Madah Berhelah. Ziana has then amazed audiences and also the Malaysian music scene with her other famous hit songs such as Anggapanmu, Setia Ku Di Sini and Puncak Kasih. Among her other international albums are Lukisan Wajah Kasih, Chitose Bashi – Asian Voices, Feel Me Out and Groove Me – duet with Jo Awayan, A Whole New World – Beauty and the Beast and Strive for the Best while her famous albums are Ziana Zain, Aku Cintakan Mu and Dingin.

Ziana’s talent as a singer was established internationally when she was nominated as Voice of Asia in Kazakhstan during the year 1995. In addition, her name has also been ‘engraved’ in the Malaysia Book of Records as the first ever female singer to win the Voice of Asia in its history.

Besides, Ziana also has a love for acting and has acted in various movies such as Sembilu, Sembilu II, Maria Mariana, Merah, Maria Mariana II, Sembilu 2005 and Pontianak Menjerit, Qabil Khushry Qabil Igam and Magika and also in dramas such as Serunding, Cermin Pada Bulan, 4 Diva Sekampung, Tetamu Allah, Nur Kasih Di Jabal Rahmah, Mati Tunngu Sekejap and Bisik Pada Allah. She also appeared in music theatres with shows such as Teater Muzikal Gamat 2 dan Teater Muzikal Antara.

Ziana was also an ambassador for products such as Avon, NutriBeaute & Omega Timepieces, Head and Shoulder Shampoo, B&H Health Product, SlumberLand Vono Mattress, Loreal, Brilliant Rose, Nutrimetics Cosmetics & Skincare, Slimword, Antabax, DutchLady, Safi Rania and Age Tech.

 Meanwhile, in 2005, Ziana became the first Malaysian artiste to release her signature perfume Truly and the brand was distributed by Nutrimetics. She was also an endorser for Vono Mattress for almost 10 years.

In 2016, Ziana successfully became an entrepreneur with her brand Ziana Zain’s World, which manufactures and sells shawl and scarves.

Overall, in the 20 years of Ziana’s career in the music industry, she has collaborated with numerous other celebrities such as Jim Brickman, Cindy Crawford, Anna Kournikova, Kate Bosworth, Shah Rukh Khan and Ralf Schumacher. She has also some concerts to her name –  Ziana Zain: Unplugged Concert, Ziana Zain Mega Tour Concert, Ziana Zain – Konsert Zon Perlindungan Head & Shoulders and Ziana Zain Unplugged Concert.

The amazing Ziana has garnered many awards and they include Anugerah Bintang Popular, Pelakon Pembantu Wanita Paling Popular, Artis Paling Popular, Penyanyi Wanita Paling Popular, Anugerah Industri Muzik, Persembahan Vokal Dalam Album Terbaik (Wanita) – Setiaku Di Sini, Tokyo Music Festival, Golden Voice Awards, Gold Medal (Anggapanmu), Singapore Music Awards (Singapore), Most Popular Female Singer, Most Popular Song – Korban Cinta, Anugerah Bintan Popular and Pelakon Paling Popular.

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The Founder of N.Z. New Image Sdn Bhd, Moharina Mohamed, and business partners, Yusnidar Abdullah and Datin Sabina Rafik have something in common – a passion for the wellbeing of people. In a recent interview with Top 10 of Malaysia, they talked about how they came to be involved in the health and beauty business, and what inspire them to empower women to look and feel good about themselves, even creating wealth for themselves through business opportunities.

Moharina Mohamed, the Founder of N.Z New Image Sdn Bhd and business partners, Yusnidar Abdullah and Datin Sabina Rafik run a business that distributes colostrum-based products for health and skincare. Their passion stem from seeing the positive effects and satisfaction in customers who glow in the pink of health as a result of consuming colostrum-based products sourced from New Zealand. “Thirteen years ago, I saw an improvement in my mother’s diabetes condition after she consumed colostrum products procured from the parent company, New Image International. I was convinced and inspired by the changes in my mother’s health and I wanted to help others experience better health too,” says Moharina, a former business graduate from University of Ohio and stockbroker in a bank. She then went on to establish her company, N.Z. New Image Sdn Bhd and a couple of years later Yusnidar joined her, followed by Datin Sabina recently.

Yusnidar, a diploma-holder in Secretarial Science, started her career as a flight attendant with Malaysia Airlines (MAS). During her career, she pursued a part-time marketing course at Stamford College, and was always looking for ways to earn additional income. “I always believe that we can’t rely only on one income,” says Yusnidar. “I explored the beauty business in addition to my job as I felt that it could be pursued without affecting my career. After working with MAS for seven years, I moved on to work for a few corporations in the area of Public Relations,” reveals Yusnidar. Datin Sabina was also a flight attendant with MAS for a number of years. “I left my job at MAS to work alongside my husband in a business venture in the tourism industry.”

Drawing from their previous work experiences, the trio started to grow the company based on their vision and aspirations. However, they believe that the major contributing factor to the growth and success of their company is the product itself – colostrum. “Colostrum is a pre-milk fluid and is nature’s first food for mammals in the first few days after birth. It contains high levels of immunoglobulins and has been used to fight infections and to boost the immune system,” says Moharina. “Our company has been distributing colostrum-based
products ranging from food and vitamin supplements, health drinks to skincare with skincare being the latest product that we are currently promoting,” she adds. The company has also launched the Alpha Lipid A.G.E. Defiant Telomere Serum product, a lightweight serum that stimulates production of skin cells which leaves one’s skin firmer, smoother, and younger-looking. “For a comprehensive beauty treatment, the Alpha Lipid A.G.E. Defiant Telomere Serum product with Alpha Lipid Bee Venom Intensive Moisturising Cream and the Concentrated Revitalising Face Mask, both of which contain New Zealand’s Alpha Lipid Colostrum are the best,” explains Yusnidar.

Customers who are hardcore users of other skincare products are among the challenges faced by the company. “But once they have seen the demo on our products, they are impressed and readily accept them,” says Moharina with an unmistakable sense of pride. “I am happy that our customers are convinced of the benefits of our New Image skincare products. They slow down the effects of ageing, rejuvenates the skin, and most importantly, are non-invasive,” she continues.

“Apart from using the products, women can also generate an income for themselves by taking advantage of the business opportunities that arise. Our team conducts training, marketing and beauty techniques classes so that women can learn to become business owners of their very own New Image businesses. This would help them to be financially independent,” says Datin Sabina.

The trio believes that young people who are just starting out in business need to have a good and safe product and the need to know the product well. They advise against just thinking about making money. “The products that one sells must be of good quality, beneficial and reliable in the long run, always giving the customer the confidence to use them again and again,” they say.

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Being thankful for who he is and where he is now, Dato’ Colin Tan June Teng, the Group Managing Director of Hatten Group owes his gratitude to his parents and H.E. Tsem Rinpoche. Being well-versed in the art of business, Tan was not only well equipped with business strategies and plans but also in having a humble heart. In a recent interview with Top 10 of Malaysia, this outstanding University of Dublin graduate shares his life story and insights on how he has journeyed to become a successful entrepreneur.

 Dato’ Colin Tan will never forget how his father and Guru had imparted their wisdom and knowledge to propel him to become the successful young entrepreneur that he is today. “My father is a man whom I look up to in many ways as his experience in life and business is abundant. He also taught me what it takes to be successful and to be well respected by others,” says Tan. Among the lessons his father taught him was to work diligently, be confident, persistent, maintain integrity, and most importantly, to be humble and be grateful. “My Guru, Tsem Rinpoche of Kechara has also never failed to remind me on how important it is to be kind and generous by helping others,” Tan adds.

Tan is a firm believer in giving back to society thanks to the teachings of his Guru. This can be seen in the many charity works and corporate social responsibility activities that he is carrying out. It is because of his Guru’s teachings that he has learned how to value the importance of connecting with and giving back to the community. Therefore, Hatten also focuses on giving back to the community. CSR activities are constantly organised to raise awareness on the environment, health initiatives and social welfare. After graduating from the University of Dublin with a degree, Tan gained valuable experience in the knowledge he needed to pursue what he wanted.

“My father, Datuk Wira Eric Tan acts as a mentor to me and my brother; Dato’ Edwin Tan is an invaluable help to me in the area of business. This has stood us in good stead in the property development sector,” says Tan. The Hatten Group, established in 2005, had accomplished great success since its formation 13 years ago. Soon, the brothers were granted the chance to begin a property developer company in Melaka. Their first opportunity to start a project was in the form of an abandoned shopping mall in Melaka. It has now evolved into the well-known Dataran Pahlawan Melaka Megamall with around 17 million shoppers a year. The Hatten Group has also grown dramatically and has become Melaka’s leading property developer. They were also ranked among The Top 10 Property Developers of Malaysia and are listed on the Singapore Exchange.

Hatten forms a group of companies which are involved in property development, asset management and strategic investments. The name ‘Hatten’ means ‘growth and development’ in Japanese and it signifies its mission and vision in growing and advancing to be a market leader across multiple industries and delivering value to their stakeholders.

Hatten now owns and operates mixed integrated developments, shopping malls, a number of joint venture developments in Johor and Seremban. International investors are welcome to be part of its vast growing connection.

A number of Hatten projects are still ongoing. This includes the Phase II of Hatten City, which consists of integrated mixed development, Imperio Mall and Imperio Residences. The Imperio development, with a gross development value of RM1.16 billion, has a unique cascading rooftop track for joggers and runners to enjoy in the midst of nature’s beautiful landscapes and fresh air. Hatten is also looking to launch the final phase of Harbour City, by the end of June. This unique development which consists of a mall that has each of its floor replicating different ocean platforms; Trenches, Abyss, Midnight, Twilight, Sunlight and Coastal while atop the mall podium is Melaka’s first indoor and outdoor theme park. Harbour City is built in the form of a cruise ship and was inspired by Melaka’s maritime history.

Apart from that, another project which Hatten is currently working on is the Satori mixed-development which represents Hatten’s first step in venturing into health and wellness tourism. Hatten not only wants to provide physical treatments but also services and facilities that contribute to inner peace in order for people to discover balance in mind, body and soul. It will house 192 unit residences, a premium 336-unit suites and a wellness mall podium. Meanwhile, the interior will include top-notch facilities such as a meditation hall, spas and traditional medication while the exterior will comprise a mixture of parks, herb gardens, stone walks and sky lounges among nature. This will enable Satori to stand out in the tourism health market and thus create opportunities for investors.

Besides its newly-launched Satori development, Hatten also has an upcoming project in Cyberjaya as a step further into the health tourism sector. In addition, Hatten’s other new projects also includes an upcoming convention centre, the Melaka International Convention Centre project. Tan is working towards making Hatten a household name for property investments on a global scale and he is looking to expand to Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Indonesia and China. Other than that, Hatten also has plans to grow its education, arts and culture division.

Hatten’s success is also due to its constant innovation, teamwork, exploring undiscovered investment areas and maintaining quality standards. The group has won over 50 international property awards such as the Top 10 Property Developers in Malaysia as well as an Outstanding Developer for Southern Region. Another milestone which was proudly achieved is the successful completion of the Hatten City Phase I development which consists of a mall, 2 hotel blocks and Hatten’s first residence project, SilverScape Residence. The Group is also planning to expand its business within Malaysia and other parts of South East Asia. The growth of Hatten inspires Tan very much. “I would gladly encourage young entrepreneurs to dream big and that nothing is impossible to achieve,” remarks Tan.

As a property developer, one of the most notable challenges Hatten faces is to stay above the competition. This is one of the reasons why Tan focuses his attention on Hatten’s brand of quality, integrity and innovation to ensure the Group’s sustainability. “I also strongly emphasise on teamwork, motivating each other while working towards a similar goal and vision. Our vision, ‘Building Tomorrow Together’, is about making a positive impact and enhancing the standard of living, adding value and boosting the economy.”

Another challenge faced by Tan is achieving a desirable work-life balance. “As a father, I want to be there for my kids. However, work has taken a lot of my time. Thus, I try to integrate both as much as I can. I’m blessed to have an understanding wife who is strong-willed and takes care of our kids and household with grace. Her support has been an enormous help to me,” says Tan with a distinct note of gratitude in his voice. Meanwhile, on a personal basis, Tan is glad to have fulfilled his father’s dream of having a listed company.

When asked on his advice for young people who are just starting out in business, Tan has this to say: “Nothing is too big or too bold, if you believe; plan ahead and remain focused. You will succeed and achieve your goals. You would also need to stay persistent and try not to give up at the slightest challenge or obstacle and even negative feedback from critics. Most importantly, remember where you came from and the people who helped you along the way. In return, we must also lend a helping hand to other entrepreneurs in their journey to success.”

The post Building On a Solid Foundation appeared first on Top 10 of Malaysia.

A fascination with creative design and innovation was the leverage for Ramesh Balakrishnan’s venture into the entrepreneurial world.  A home-bred, Kuala Lumpurian, Ramesh’s resolute determination since his childhood days on design as a career choice later extended into web design specialisation and innovative solutions for everyday living. This materialised into the establishment of iResidenz, a leading cloud-based resident portal for condominiums and gated communities. Ramesh’s success in tapping into a growing market with high potential is evident from the growth of the company. In a conversation with Top 10 of Malaysia, Ramesh tells of his personal and entrepreneurial successes achieved through the transformation of innovative designs into business solutions, current business plans and his vision for the future of iResidenz.

 A leading player in the market for resident portal for condominiums and gated communities, Ramesh Balakrishnan, elaborates on his journey from a middle-class upbringing within the suburbs of Kuala Lumpur to his current position within the entrepreneurial world. Although fascinated with the creative world of art since his childhood, making it a life-long ambition was considered an anomalous career choice amongst his parents who were harbouring images of medicine and engineering for their offspring. In Ramesh’s case, the situation was doubly challenging with an electrical contractor for a father. There was quite a bit of convincing and the usual career choice drama before a resolute Ramesh settled into his chosen educational and career path.

“I did my undergraduate studies in accounting and international business before embarking on a one-year professional programme for webmasters,” elaborates Ramesh. On completion of his studies, there was a two-year stint with a local broadcasting station accompanied by another two years in the United Kingdom on a working visa. “Working with the local station plus the two years in the United Kingdom helped me gain the experience I needed and it reaffirmed my passion to be involved in the creative field on an entrepreneurial basis,” says Ramesh, “I felt the time was right in setting up my own web design house upon returning from the UK.”

The first company, a software web development house was set up in 2005, followed by iResidenz in 2013, a software company providing solutions for high rise building.

“In looking for creative solutions, I observe and study the current challenges people face in their everyday lives. Ideas on making life easier is something that people are eager to buy into,” says Ramesh. “The ideas behind iResidenz cloud-based resident portal for condominiums and gated communities came out of frustrations of having to deal with issues such as inefficient administrative processes at properties.”

iResidenz is an online resident portal which is ideal for condominiums and gated communities to make property management and communications easier for owners, tenants, and property management offices. Using iResidenz, homeowners/residents can easily access their monthly invoices and statements online, pay maintenance fees, book facilities at their condos and manage tenants and rental collection. Management offices too greatly benefit from iResidenz in making their work process and flow more productive and efficient.

“High-rise buildings are taking off in the region and there exists a great potential in providing solutions for this market. It is a new market utilising new technologies and iResidenz is at the forefront of it,” says Ramesh with excitement.

Funding, an important growth accelerator for the business has been successful and the company is now ready for another round of investment sourcing in the coming months. “We have been successful in our efforts in seeking capital. Three rounds of capital investment, two from angel investors and another, a corporate investor have enabled us to aggressively corner the market by meeting clients’ expectations with proven reliable solutions,” says Ramesh. “We started operating actively in 2015 and currently serve clients from over 70 high-rise buildings around the country including the Klang Valley with online payment transactions of more than RM2.5 million to date,” adds Ramesh.

The success of the business is attributed to the support of family members and friends together with the determination of the current team in making iResidenz a sustainable success story. “My family, friends and some of my shareholders have been very supportive of my business ideas from day one and that has helped me tremendously. My team at iResidenz possesses similar motivation and determination,” says Ramesh.

With another 127 buildings on the cards, the company has plans to expand within the region which includes plans for an IPO in the near future. “We have the capabilities for it and the market out there has strong potential,” says Ramesh.

“And then I might retire and take a back seat,” grins Ramesh.

The post Success Rising appeared first on Top 10 of Malaysia.

Over the years, Malaysia’s commendable economy that is resilient together with fast-paced real estate development initiatives undertaken, have opened up new markets for the industry. This has inevitably given rise to a demand for improved services and standards provided by property agencies in the country. Of course, top-notch property agencies in the land are well poised to more than just meet the needs and requirements of customers with their level of expertise and professionalism. Here, Top 10 of Malaysia shares a brief take on its list of the nation’s top property agencies that are dynamic and progressive in more ways than one. 

Christopher Lim, one of the founder of Property HubProperty Hub

This full service real estate agency was founded by Benjamin Tee and Christopher Lim in 2009. Based in Mont Kiara, Property Hub specialises in sale and rental of upmarket properties and has now successfully expanded its branches to Kota Kinabalu and KLCC. Being one of Malaysia’s fastest growing agencies, Property Hub has won the MIEA Residential Agency of the Year award from 2012-2017 and also Star Property’s All-Star Agency 2017 Award.

Henry Butcher Real Estate Sdn Bhd

Founded by Long Tian Chek and Lim Eng Chong plus being part of the Henry Butcher Malaysia Group, Henry Butcher Real Estate Sdn Bhd began its operations in 1987. Its diverse field of services include real estate, plant and machinery and art covering valuations, estate agency, project marketing, international marketing, auction and tenders, market research and development consultancy, property management and retail consultancy, leasing and management. This dynamic agency also has 25 offices all throughout Malaysia.

Reapfield

Established in 1984, Reapfield Group has over 34 years of experience in Malaysia’s real estate field. Branching to 11 offices in the Klang Valley and an office in Penang, the agency achieved recognition and success due to its high quality professional service and experience in the real estate field. Handling projects in the residential, commercial, industrial and primary market sectors locally and worldwide, its staffs are well trained by their President and Founder, David Ong, who is also a well-known and talented entrepreneur. To date, Reapfield has received numerous awards that included the MIEA National Real Estate Awards, MIEA National Real Estate Awards for Honourable Mention and iProperty.com Agents Advertising Awards.

Rahim & Co.

Founded in 1976 by Tan Sri Abdul Rahim Abdul Rahman, Rahim & Co International Sdn Bhd has grown to be one of the largest and well established real estate consultancy firms in Malaysia with its nationwide network of 20 offices. Its main areas of services include valuation, estate agency, research and property and facilities management. Until now, it has garnered recognition for its outstanding service in the real estate field, gained several international accolades and also worldwide recognition.

Carey Real Estate

Carey Real Estate was founded by Nixon Paul in 1983 and now has branches in Kuala Lumpur, Kota Kinabalu (Sabah), Penang, Johor Bahru and Ampang (Selangor). Other than being actively involved in sales and rental of residential or commercial properties with good investment value to high net worth individuals, pension funds, sovereign wealth funds and REITS, it has also won 3 National Real Estate awards for its immensely good performance in the real estate field. It has handled the sale of Renaissance Hotel in Kuala Lumpur for RM756 million, the Brickfields Asia College campus located at VSQ Tower in Petaling Jaya for RM70 million and a 15-storey office building (Amgroup Leadership Center) in Kuala Lumpur City Centre for RM60 million.

Chester Properties

Established by Dato’ Howard Chew and Sean Yong in 2006, Chester Properties has now expanded its branches to Desa Sri Hartamas, Bangsar and even to Gangnam-gu, Seoul in South Korea. Also, it was awarded the Business of the Year 4^th Award for Service Provider of the Year 2009, Ten Outstanding Young Malaysia Award 2010, The 10^th Asia Pacific International Honesty Enterprise Keris Award 2011 and Best Agency of the Year 2015.

Hartamas Real Estate Group   

Hartamas Real Estate Group was founded in 1996 by Eric Kim and it specialises in corporate real estate, project marketing, international properties, agency services, expatriate relocation services, training and academy, valuation consultancy and asset and facilities management. It has also won several awards that included the Real Estate Agency of the year (2011-2013), Top Real Estate Firm of the Year (2015-2017), Top Project Marketing Firm of the Year (2015-2017) and Top Commercial Real Estate Firm of the year (2011-2017).

IQI Global

Established in Dubai by CEO Kashif Ansari, IQI Global has now spread its branches to Malaysia. Malaysian branch leader, Group Vice President Chen Tse Ping successfully mentored the agents and garnered well known recognition for IQI. Besides, IQI has also won several awards that included the All Star Agency Award. Other than being a property agency, IQI is also well known for its financial support to charities worldwide.

Knight Frank

Headquartered in London and having its branch headquarters in Kuala Lumpur, with other office branches at Penang, Johor and Kota Kinabalu, Knight Frank is not only one of Malaysia’s leading property agencies but also one of the leading global property consultancies. It also has 418 offices across 60 countries. Sarkunan Subramaniam, Managing Director of Knight Frank leads the Group in advising individual buyers and sellers, developers, investors and event corporate tenants in property management.

Zerin Properties

Founded by Previndran Singhe in 2002 with a team of only 5 people, Zerin Properties is now one of Asia’s award-winning real estate agencies. Among the awards won by Zerin were Malaysian Institute of Estate Agents (MIEA) for Most Innovative Firm 2015 and Highly Commended Property Consultancy Malaysia 2015-2016 by International Property Award for Asia Pacific Category 2015. In addition, Zerin is also the first property agency in Malaysia to launch a web-based marketing company and has won international awards for its website.

The post Top 10 Property Agencies in Malaysia appeared first on Top 10 of Malaysia.

The ubiquitous café is very much a welcome place for weary travellers and locals alike with the unique ones drawing the crowds. Each will have a unique theme of its own, one that exhibits the dreams the owners have. In this issue, Top 10 of Malaysia takes a look at its list of Malaysia’s top 10 flourishing unique cafes with their special interiors and exclusive delicacies.

Old China Cafe

The Old China Café, located in Kuala Lumpur City centre, was formerly the guild hall of the Selangor & Federal Territory Laundry Association during the 1920s. The interior of the architectural details of the building has remained unchanged and the café with its interior door and wooden latches gives a feel of the earlier Chinese social community. This café tries to maintain a resemblance of the Chinese’s community old social life which has faded into history. It serves Southeast Asian cuisine which is a combination of Straits Chinese and Malay delightful cuisines. Kedah-born Leonard Tee is the Director of the café and is also a former Malaysian film producer who has worked extensively with other independent directors.

Bytes and Pixels

This gaming-themed café’s unique name originates from the words “Bites and Pieces”. Inspired by old school games such as Tetris and modern games such as Playstation, this café strives to bring back nostalgic memories to its customers, especially gamers while providing board games and unique drinks such as Health Potion, Mana Potion and Stamina Potion. Founder, Farmin Adli Falahuddin realised his dream when he opened this unique themed café as well as partnering with Magic Rain to organize two themed café events.    

Wheelers Coffee

Wheelers Coffee is a brainchild of creative entrepreneur, Kim Shih Wei who decided to take a leap of faith in establishing a café business. Being an experienced barista and having a knack in providing quality food service to his customers, this unique bicycle-themed café has garnered the interest of locals and tourists and was awarded as an “Excellent Award” by Trip Advisor. Its decor includes bicycle-themed chairs, bicycles hanging from the ceilings; bicycles decoration on plates and drawings on cups, bicycle-decorated outdoors and even decorative bicycles on the counter.

PikNik Everyday

This unique school-themed café allows customers to reminisce their back-to-school memories. An assortment of wooden and metal chairs deck the café resembling classrooms and the canteen. Coloured graffiti decorates the wall portraying the image of school time rebellion while a yellow school bus adds a sense of nostalgia to the scene. This café founded by Milky Tan and Tan Wei Ming depicts retro and creativity and add on to their uniqueness are the savoury dessert waffles and Fried Satay Chicken Waffle Burger.

Locahouz

Locahouz was founded by the Lim sisters, Wei Fung and Wei Ling. These sisters made use of their combined culinary skills in food and beverages and came up with this idea of an antique café. Locahouz is set in an ancient Chinese building furnished with Chinese tiles, an air well and priceless historical Chinese sculptures. It also combines local culinary tradition in its Western cuisine with an emphasis on the preservation of original tastes. Their Pumpkin Mantou and monthly special menu have attracted customers from all over the world who came to unwind and loose themselves in the traditional setting of the café.

Flavourest Cafe

Established in 2014, Flavourest Café was founded by Low Kok Weng and his wife, who decided to make their dream of owning a relaxing café, decorated with cute and cuddly teddy bears come true. This special bear-themed café has garnered the interest of kids and adults alike due to its cute and relaxing interior. Their tagline, “We bake your ideas to life”, portrays the café’s unique idea of customising cakes and preparing tasty desserts for the indulgence of their customers.

Mamee Jonker House

Founded in 1971 by Executive Chairman Datuk Pang Chin Hin was the popular Mamee-Double Decker Bhd. His son, Tan Sri Pang Tee Chew later joined him in the business and soon, Melaka’s Mamee Jonker House was established and it became the first concept store in a historical building after 40 years in the manufacturing business. Now Tan Sri Pang Tee Chew, CEO of the Mamee Jonker House, runs the café and its main aim is to allow customers to experience what it’s like to create their own Mamee dishes. This unique café is a hit with kids and adults alike and many are impressed with the Mamee goodie bags which make perfect souvenirs and the delightful dishes.

DC Comics Superheroes Cafe

This impressive café are for superhero comic fans out there. Regardless of whether you are a fan of Superman or Batman, this café showcases the figurines of the superheroes found in DC Comics. Residing in Sunway Putra Mall, this unique café has its superhero theme on their food and even interior decoration. Among the unique food and drinks served are Black-Bunned Dark Knight Burgers, Super-Blue Superman soft drinks, Gotham Madness Latte and Batman Drinks. Arkham City Scones were part of the café’s unusual decoration.

Clawset Cafe

Clawset Café is the perfect setting for animal lovers to dine and play with pets. Cute and cuddly Pomeranians and their cute little outfits are the star of the café. Founder and café owner, Wayne Heng came up with the idea of setting up a bakery selling customised cakes for pets. Thus, Clawset Café was established and it serves menus that are not only provided for customers but also for their beloved dogs. Puppies are dressed in lovely apparels and there’s a grooming service for pets too. A “grumpy cat” is also the latest member of the café.

Ahoy Cafe  

The word ‘Ahoy’ originates from the common term of hailing ships. Well recognised as a ship-themed café, Ahoy Café has aroused the curiosity of visitors from everywhere around the country with its cool, classical sailor-feel café. Inside, murals of ships and boats fill the walls while light bulbs are hung on the ceilings by using marine ropes and tied knots. Maps with landmarks of treasure chests are also pasted on the walls to add to the special feel of being at sea while a whale bookcase and life buoys are among the decorations which depict the uniqueness of the café.

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