Editor’s Note: Discover the professional journey and educational background of an entrepreneur who founded Bluetech Sdn Bhd and Pinnacle Communications Sdn Bhd, focusing on telecommunication innovations in Sabah.
Personal and Professional Background
I was born in Tawau, Sabah in 1972. After completing my primary and secondary education in Tawau, I continued my studies at Kolej Tunku Abdul Rahman in Kuala Lumpur in 1991.
Upon graduating in 1996, I joined American International Assurance Company Ltd (AIA) in Kuala Lumpur as an Administration Executive in the Group Management Department. I worked at AIA until June 1999, when I decided to leave Kuala Lumpur after securing a position as Administrator at Expojuta Trading Sdn Bhd in Kota Kinabalu.
In March 2002, I left Expojuta Trading Sdn Bhd to form Bluetech Sdn Bhd, a company dealing with telecommunication products and services. In 2004, I acquired Pinnacle Communications Sdn Bhd, which became a fully-owned subsidiary of Bluetech Sdn Bhd. During this period, I was so focused on my career that I didn’t complete my full course with the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators.
I married in 2002 and now have a five-year-old child.
Educational Background
During my semester breaks, I always strived to improve myself by taking various part-time jobs in Kuala Lumpur. I believed that working experience gained from the corporate world would keep me in touch with the latest business trends and movements. In 1994, I took up a correspondence course from Chung Hwa Correspondence School in Taiwan and completed four subjects in their Department of Commerce. I was also a student at The Institute of Chartered Secretaries & Administrators from 1993, completing 16 subjects.
Extracurricular Activities
I took an active role in various societies at Kolej Tunku Abdul Rahman. In 1991/92, I was elected Vice Chairman of the Sabah & Sarawak Students Society, where I provided assistance to students from Sabah and Sarawak with accommodation and transportation arrangements. In 1994/95, I was a member of the Fund Raising Sub-Committee in the Business Management Society, where I learned teamwork and various fund-raising methods.
Professional Experience
After graduation, I worked at American International Assurance (AIA), leading the Billing Section and supervising a team of five clerical staff. I learned to manage departmental backlogs, administrative procedures, and ensure efficient daily operations. In 1997, I received a special salary adjustment in recognition of my positive contributions to the company.
After returning to Sabah in July 1999, I worked as an Administrator in a trading company, gaining a broader perspective on business management. I learned marketing strategies, accounting and administrative procedures, as well as policy-making. As an Administrator, I worked with my team to complete four years of company accounts within three months, preparing them for audit. I also introduced and implemented a computerized credit control system to enhance debtor control and minimize bad debts.
Entrepreneurial Journey
In 2001, I founded Bluetech Sdn Bhd, specializing in telecommunication products and services. In 2004, I acquired Pinnacle Communications Sdn Bhd, as both companies offered similar services in Sabah. I now manage the company with a team of three staff members.
We provide two-way radio and walkie-talkie services to users in Sabah, addressing the limited Global System for Mobile (GSM) network coverage in remote areas such as Kuamut, Pinangah, and Tongod. Our two-way radio communication networks provide an alternative means of communication for these users.
Future Plans
I plan to improve our existing two-way radio communication network in Sabah to enable multi-site roaming by late 2008, enhancing network flexibility. For overseas expansion, I aim to set up a repeater station in the Philippines in 2009, capitalizing on our geographical proximity and the untapped market for alternative communication methods.
Educational Goals
To stay competitive and responsive in today’s changing business world, I need to continually enhance my managerial skills and update my industrial knowledge. After careful consideration, I have decided to pursue a Master of Business Administration (MBA) program offered by Open University Malaysia.
I believe that learning is a lifelong process and should not end after leaving school. After several years of working at a managerial level, I realized the need for integrated skills in both my personality and work. I am confident that the MBA program will help me gain business decision-making skills and turn my business concepts into realities. The program’s flexibility allows me to study at my own pace without putting my business or career on hold.
I am self-disciplined, innovative, proactive, and able to manage my time well. I take pride in being one of the few local operators providing encrypted two-way radio communications networks to users in Sabah since 2004.
I plan to complete this program in two years, aiming to enhance my professional competence significantly during this time.