I grew up in a small kampung with eight other siblings. My parents had to give away two sisters as they could not afford them, and a sibling died at four weeks old as we had no money for medical help. At 16, I wondered if my family would get out of poverty.

I made a bold move to drop out of school and worked hard as a sweeper in a shoe-manufacturing factory to support my family. Determined to change my situation, I woke up early to learn the skills of shoe-making and started my first business at the age of 22 with my savings and financial assistance from my sister.

Pressing On
Over the next 40 years as a business owner, I faced uncertainties, challenges and financial crises, but chose to press on. I never would have imagined that I would end up incorporating over 100 companies in multiple industries and own companies like Ossia International Ltd., Harvey Norman, World of Sports and UnitedEnviroTech. I am now able to provide for my family, and am happily married to Lysa with four children Joanna, Jonathan, Jovina, and Ingrid, who are the joys of my life.

Giving Back To Those In Need
I will never forget what it’s like to be hungry and in need. In 2015, my wife and I set up Border Mission Charitable Foundation to improve the quality of the lives of some of the most forgotten people in Singapore. We focus on serving the elderly cardboard collectors through our Urban Recyclers Project and work with family service centres to provide care for those with disabilities.

I also found out that there was almost no aid available for many living in the near inaccessible Himalayan villages and nearby mountainous regions. Questions like “Where will my next meal come from? How can I afford my child’s education? Will I have clean toilets?” are real. It has been greatly satisfying to see my businesses enabling me to provide education, medical and community care outreach to these poor communities.

Serving My Country
Singapore has given my family and I a stable environment to thrive in. I am glad to have been appointed as the Singapore Ambassador to the Kingdom of Morocco since 2017 and am honoured to have the privilege of serving my nation by building strong diplomatic relationships between both countries.