A Retail President for All Seasons

The right voice of reason will never go out of season as exemplified by the capable leadership of MRCA President Datuk Seri Garry Chua.

atuk Seri Garry Chua has D emerged as a strong voice of reason during the most trying Movement Order Control (MCO) season ever faced by the retail industry and all other spheres of businesses in Malaysia recently. Following the unexpected lockdown imposed nationwide during the MCO period stretching initially from April 18 to 31, 2020 which was further extended to June 9, 2020 that was imposed by the Malaysian government – it was clear from the very onset that not only would all sectors and businesses be hit – but the face of retail too had hit a fatal blow and would probably also never be the same again.

The dire situation, however, was not just unique to Malaysia – but prevalent worldwide. The extent of the massive shut down across all industries – to the level of witnessing even international borders to other countries being completely shut down to curb the deadly spread of the threat to humankind in the form of a common invisible enemy named as the Coronavirus or Covid-19, undoubtedly cried out for unprecedented measures during this extremely turbulent times.

During this trying season as the MCO forced businesses to shut operations, many online digital platforms started emerging to voice concerns on behalf of their respective industries. When the government’s first PRIHATIN package was launched as a response to the crises facing the nation, Datuk Seri Garry Chua’s voice was one that was among the most sought-after.

Representing the voice of the retailers and presenting their plight at this moment in time is no easy task. And, where others lost their cool expressing their viewpoints live, the seasoned class act sailed through with a level head and with flying colours. His ability to handle crises by painting an overall picture of the entire landscape with the brush stroke of a pen while propositioning pivotal solutions clearly showed forth that he was indeed the man for the urgent hour to address the plight of the retailers.

The significance of understanding the importance of creating awareness of issues covering the retail and franchise industries has always been something pivotal in the president’s manifesto since helming MRCA – what more during this time.

Like many others, he too was distressed about how their business operations, which came to a sudden grinding halt, would operate in the days, weeks, months and even years to come. But, his cool and collected composure spoke volumes of how to handle crises. He acknowledged that the Covid 19 crisis was an unprecedented dilemma, unlike any of the previous economic recessions that previously plagued the nation. Covid-19 brings with it untold ramifications spanning the socioeconomic sphere – beyond just how businesses and retail would operate to generate profits and footfall. The nation and the world are all already on the brink of a huge global meltdown of untold proportions. And herein, lies the dilemma.

It is said that the true measure of a man’s character is reflected in two scenarios. One, how he reacts to having amassed great wealth and, two, how he responds when he has lost great wealth. The MRCA president has made a name for himself with his thriving businesses revolving around the food and beverage as well as the building industries as reflected under the Rotol Group of Companies which he established in 1994. Under his F&B business are different brands such as Chakri Palace and Rainforest, including Sanoook and Raintree.

Adept at undertaking exterior building facade services to the next level, the Rotol Group is able to basically “take, restore, repair” and give the properties back to clients in mint-like condition. The technology behind the group’s exterior façade building materials, he explained came about from a joint venture with a US partner over 20 years ago, during which time a sector was established here while the group holds a licence in Japan. Ever the visionary, he has already set goals, working on mentoring his son Max Chua to expand the business operations to China and other countries which have many high-rise buildings while his daughter Caleen Chua is running the F&B business including overseeing Chakri Palace.

Now, at the height of the Covid-19 crisis that has seen a nationwide shut down retail operations, he has to up the ante to present the plight of retailers in unprecedented tough conditions. Already facing an onslaught of digital mediums eating into its pie, the problem was further compounded without the benefit of footfall given the MCO.

The distinctive advantage he has in having his own business is that he is well-versed with the ins and outs of the retail industry, how it moves and what it takes to survive in this highly competitive sphere. Having already built a close rapport with retailers and across the board with shopping malls, his value-added proposition to stand united in one cohesive voice to promote the cause of retail can be seen in the already in place strategies of using online media to promote MRCA’s upcoming expo. suppose “fortunate” is of. “Fortunate” not only because we have grown into the largest retail, branding, and franchising fraternity in Malaysia (as of now, membership has indeed more than doubled to 530); but, “fortunate”, above all, for the opportunity of working alongside some of the nation’s finest,

Indeed, these are strong membership numbers that we are looking at. Backed by over 500 members, with a strong following of leading franchise and retail store operators spanning over 25,000 outlets throughout Malaysia – these members alone create over half a million job opportunities nationwide. This is in line with MRCA’s theme ‘Enriching Members for the Future”.

Obviously born to lead, his birth date being January 1 positions his zodiac signs between that of the tail end of the Rooster and the beginning of the zodiac sign of the Dog. His social skills from the feathered fowl serve him well as he stands in the great divide between the stakeholders of the retail industry – being the clarion call voice representing the plight of the retail industry – to the government and the overall industry at large. most dedicated, and most talented personalities.

It is an honour that I must acknowledge these amazing individuals who selflessly contributed their all in advancing the Association, its members, and stakeholders to achieve more than it ever did.

To my very capable and hardworking Deputy President Dato Vincent Choo, thank you for playing an active and persuasive role in rallying

The media it seems, can’t seem to get enough of him as they value his pertinent views in this season of great distress and calamity. Now more than ever, the voice of reason needs to be sounded. And for that, the already badly-hit retail industry at least has a capable and experienced president helming the retail industry in the inimitable manner that is unique to him.

All is not just serious talk with this president who also has his own take on life, which he shared with the writer previously when being interviewed for another publication.

“Touching on values, I wish to reiterate that talents and looks are God-given – so be thankful. Fame and money are, in a way, men-given – so be grateful. Attitude and ego are selfgiven – so be careful and stay humble,”

A Personal Thank You from Datuk Seri Garry Chua

Ithe word my tenure at MRCA has reminded me

he opines. participants and sponsors for our inaugural Who’s Who directory, and organising major festive events such as our anniversary dinner.

The Association is blessed to have “Three Angels”: Vice Presidents Shirley Tay and Valerie Choo and Deputy Treasurer General Dato’ Winnie Lim. The Council enjoys a close and cordial relationship with them. We have a tremendous understanding of each

other and often complement one another towards achieving MRCA’s common objectives – lifting MRCA to higher levels through activities and exceeding KPIs. Shirley Tay, who was in charge of membership recruitment, had also organised successful trips to Penang, Johor and Sabah.

They have wowed us with their finesse and determination in organising events such as the Association’s anniversary dinners, Media Night, CNY celebrations and the Business Trip to Shanghai where Dato’ Winnie went to great lengths for us to visit Alibaba’s Hema superstore, Fresh Market, JD.com, and the Starbucks Reserve Roastery, the largest of its kind in the world.

They sacrificed time and were creative too. An example is our endearing Hero Sejati song which began as an idea by them, and supported by Sylvester Fan’s studio. They made enormous efforts in reaching out to others, setting a standard for future events to be implemented in the best possible way. Beyond these remarkable displays of effort, their contributions have left a far-telling effect on bolstering the public’s impression of the credibility and overall reputation of the MRCA.

It is a privilege for us to also recognise the efforts of Dato’ Liew Bin, without whom there would be no Malaysia International Retail and Franchise Exhibition (MIRF), as well as his successor, Raymond Woo, who managed to follow one tremendous success with another. MIRF has grown to be the most successful retail and franchise exhibition in the region.

Dato’ Bruce Lim did a phenomenal job with the MRCA Retail Conference 2017, in that he managed to secure top speakers and prominent guests for the occasion. We had Dato’ Sri Mustapa bin Mohamed, then Minister of International Trade and Industry, Datuk Seri Ir. Dr. Wee Ka Siong, then Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, Datuk Seri Idris Jala, CEO of Pemandu.

Datuk KK Chai successfully organised a comprehensive business trip to Cambodia and Vietnam and also organised the CNY dinner, attended by 1,200 guests — the largest by far.

Datin Flora Tan has been the ‘fairy godmother” of MRCA’s CSR programmes. I thank her for her effort in painstakingly checking out and sourcing sponsors and welfare centres that require MRCA’s assistance. She does all her charitable work in the most effective manner, and such enormous devotion is, even here at MRCA, unprecedented. We are inspired by her passion and devotion towards helping the unfortunate and underprivileged. We would also like to thank our Treasurers, Dato’ Alex Wong and Dato’ Winnie, for making sure that the Association’s funds are managed in the most efficient way.

Not forgetting Ken Phua for continuing the hard work and responsibilities as Secretary General after Jeff Kong. Also to Sharan Valiram and Jason Woo for their contribution as organising chairmen and sponsoring events and Seak Thean Pow for being our longest-serving Council member. MRCA salutes your loyalty and appreciates your valuable insights and contributions over the years.

To our recently-nominated Chairman of the Southern Chapter, Michael Liew, congratulations and thank you for stepping up to the challenge of extending our presence down the Straits. Datuk Lawrence Liew, our Advisor of the Southern Chapter, and together with the rest of our community in Malacca, Pahang, and Johor, has been very active in contributing to the extensive development of our Association.

We have been to Penang a few times, and we find that the Northern Chapter holds a lot of potential for both the Association and our members. Credit to Chairman Sr Michael Geh for overseeing the developments of the Chapter and being our gateway to doing business and garnering participation in the states up North.

Our respects to the late Ricky Thye, our inventive organising chair of MRCA’s maiden MRCA-KPDNKK Charity Run 2016, who has demonstrated strong contribution by making “Running for the Needy” a big success during his tenure. His spirit is carried on by subsequent chairpersons, and I thank Dato’ Choi, William Tang and Jordan Ng for their leadership in helping us continue the success story of MRCA’s charity run.

Our MRCA Branding Education Charity Foundation, under a yearly rotation system, has benefitted immensely from the contributions from all our past Presidents, beginning with Dato’ Eddie Choon, Dato’ Tay (who established the Foundation), and Datuk Albert Chiang, who have each given a lot of support and devotion to the Foundation.

We also applaud Datuk Lee Hwa Cheng for purchasing MRCA’s first office at Jaya One. During Datuk Seri Nelson Kwok’s presidency, MRCA bought the current office premise at One City, Subang. Their presidencies were good times, and Datuk Lee made the most of his exemplary tenure in ensuring weekly communication with the Council. Credit also goes to Datuk Lee and Dato’ Liaw, who have been instrumental in conceptualising the CEO Night and MIRF – two events that have become staples in MRCA’s social calendar.

Thank you also to all the Council members for their outstanding commitment, passion, hard work. Their devotion to projects assigned far exceeds the drive observed at most NGOs.

MRCA Youth deserves a special mention for they are the future captains of the Association, the industry, and the country. We’ve had many interesting developments at MRCA Youth since Edison Choon took on the mantle as its president. I thank Edison and his successor, Nicholas Chong, for an outstanding job thus far. We are enthusiastic just as you are about your future successes and contributions to this big family.

Our gratitude to the Board of Advisors, Dato’ Dr. Jennifer Low, JP, Tan Sri Dr Lim Wee Chai, Tan Sri Dato’ Sri Leong Hoy Kum, Tan Sri Dato’ Sri Barry Goh Ming Choon, Tan Sri Datuk Tee Hock Seng, JP and Tan Sri Datuk Ter Leong Yap; President’s Advisors Tan Sri Dato’ Sri Tang Yeam Soon and Tan Sri Datuk Danny Ooi, Legal Advisors Datuk Ringo Low and Dato’ Dr Manjit Singh and Honorary Auditors Dato’ Sri Raymond Liew Lee Leong and Datin Yap Shin Siang.

Thank you Simon Wong and the MRCA Secretariat for raising RM80,000 within a month for the MRCA President Cup & Friends event, proving that the team manages stellar events just as comfortably and capably as it tackles day-to-day administrative challenges.

To all our members, thank you for your unwavering trust, commitment and support. As an Association spanning many disciplines, cultures, regions, and business models, we succeed best and quickest in this diverse environment by embracing one another and by helping each other succeed. Thank you all for carrying on inspiring generations of retailers and franchisors wherever you are!