On Friday, the 21st of November, 2008, a unique event took place at the Red Box Karaoke in Gurney Plaza. This venue, which is situated along Gurney Drive in Penang, was quiet until just after 5.15 pm in the evening, when the first of the guests for the event started arriving. As more and more guests arrived and registered, they started to mix and mingle with each other, renewing old acquaintances and being introduced to new ones. These guests were not limited to those resident in the north. Indeed, there were many there, who had made the long journey from the south, to show their solidarity with their compatriots in the north.

This marked the first time that IA Community had organised such an event for the Industrial Automation industry players based in the northern region of Peninsular Malaysia. Once again, IA Community has proven its’ commitment to the industry, by bringing members of the Industrial Automation community together.

Registrations were supposed to end at 6.30 pm, but, in fact, the process went on for much longer, to cater for those who arrived later, and also for those who had not signaled their intention to come at all ! Thus it was that that the staff of IA Community had to show their flexibility by accommodating all who turned up. By 7.20 pm, the registration list had reached 42, when, in fact, IA Community had only expected 30 or so guests. Needless to say, this resulted in some quick thinking and rapid redeployment of resources to cater for the extra guests. As per usual, IA Community staff rose up to the challenge, and all present were made fairly comfortable.

By 6.00 pm, the lobby of the Red Box was overflowing with guests, and one had difficulty hearing oneself over the hubbub of animated conversations between players in the industry. Those present were gathered in clumps of humanity numbering between three and five. Overhearing some of the conversations, one could discern that the topics of conversation ranged from the current state of the economy, to problems afflicting the industry, to issues of corporate personnel changes and also to attempts at gathering industrial intelligence ! The range of animated discussions going on was truly breathtaking !

All this expended energy was recouped when guests were invited to partake of the buffet dinner provided by the staff of the Red Box. Amongst the delicious items on offer for the guests of IA Community, were cakes and local delicacies, various items of finger food, fish cutlets, turkey slices, mixed vegetables, fried chicken, corn, curried fish, cockles, succulent beef in gravy, prawns, scallops, mixed local fruit and servings of ice cream and jelly. Truly, there was something to tickle everybody’s palate ! So much so, that a few of the guests had two or more helpings !

In the midst of all the slurping and chewing, IA News managed to grab a few words with Thomas Woo, the “Musical Entrepreneur” featured previously in our “Personality of the Month” article. This time, however, Thomas was not so forthcoming about his activities, and in particular, about the FMM-ATIG Northern Region Meeting held a few hours before this event. He did, however, say that regional industry players should join this non-profitable organisation, and make their voices heard to all concerned, through the offices of this organisation. Their voices, currently, were ineffective because of their disparate nature, whereas with one consolidated voice, their message would be heard loudly and clearly by all those concerned. Also through this organisation, members could find out what was going on in the industry locally and globally. IA News thanks Thomas Woo for sharing some thoughts with us.

Most of the participants, when approached for their comments on various issues affecting the industry, said that they preferred to enjoy this as a social event, and would, therefore, prefer not to discuss serious issues. An exception was Denver Ng of the Multi-National Company, ABB, who commented that in the current economic scenario, it was a case of battening down the hatches, and getting ready for the rough ride ! Guess that said it all !

At about 7.30pm, all the guests were invited into the Karaoke Room booked by IA Community. There, after an introduction by Benny Yeo, the Founder and President of IA Community Media Group, a “Question & Answer” session followed, between Dato O.K. Lee, the Chairman of the FMM Northern Region, and the assembled guests. To start the ball rolling, this distinguished guest gave his views on the current economic situation, and outlined what steps his organisation was taking to help industry in general. Then followed a “Question & Answer” session, during which guests asked the distinguished guest his views on various topics.

An important question was asked by Mr. Tiong, the Chairman of the FMM-ATIG during the course of the Q & A session. He asked how the FMM could help SMEs obtain funds from SMIDEC. Dato O.K. Lee replied that there were many grants available to SMEs not only from SMIDEC, but from a host of other agencies. He added that the FMM could not only help in getting various industrial leaders to meet the key players in these agencies, but that it could also help in getting the funding required. Provided, of course, that the proposals made were viable ones ! Dato Lee was very confident in stating that FMM could help industry players in most situations.

Before the Q & A session concluded, Dato Lee touched on the General Sales Tax (or GST), the effect of which would reflect on most businesses. He explained that even though many countries, such as the United Kingdom, had a form of GST, the United States of America did not. FMM, for its’ part, is going to request the Government of Malaysia to defer the imposition of this tax.

The Chairman of the FMM Northern Region then made his apologies, stating that he had an engagement elsewhere, and left the room to a standing ovation. He was not, however, allowed to leave so quickly, as senior members of the FMM-ATIG cornered him in the corridor outside the karaoke room, to get more pearls of wisdom from this distinguished guest of IA Community Media Group. Amongst the group who detained him, were Thomas Woo, B.T. Goh, Mr. Tiong, Wally Yu and Paul Ng. He was bombarded with questions which he answered frankly, and he also received feedback from those present, which was too frank to be written here ! This “extra session” took about half an hour, and finally, Dato Lee was allowed to make his way to his next engagement. IA Community Media Group wishes to thank Dato O.K. Lee for gracing this event.

The singing started at about 8.30 pm, and it was clear right from the beginning, that the Malaysian entertainment industry has missed many talents ! There were some superb talents on display, amongst whom was Thomas Woo, who excelled at singing English popular songs, and Terrence Ooi of Laser Ford Engineering, who would have melted the heart of many a Chinese damsel with his renditions of many popular Chinese tunes ! In between all of these, Benny Yeo, too, not only sang, but impressed all present with his dance steps ! Those listening tried to follow the singers, but many of their attempts were dismal failures, despite their throats being lubricated by the ceaseless flow of cold beers in large jugs !

In between the singing, IA News managed to drag Paul Ng, of Malaysian Exhibition Services (MES), away from the singing crowd, to record his views on the Malaysian Industrial Automation scene. What he had to say was startling, to say the least.

Contrary to most opinions, Paul stated that Malaysian SMEs were more aggressive than their foreign MNC counterparts, in facing the turmoil currently engulfing the nation’s economy ! This was truly an astounding assertion to make. Not only were they more aggressive, he stated, but they had prepared themselves better and were more responsive to the constantly changing global economic scenario. He felt that with a little help from the government, these SMEs would thrive, even in this downturn ! IA News can only be proud that there are such Companies and far-seeing management teams in Malaysia today !

Paul did, however, say that the problem with many of these MNCs, was that they had Malaysian managers, who were reluctant to go out on a limb, for fear of their bosses’ reactions from headquarters, in relation to their remedial proposals to better their Companies’ positions. Thus, they had to play it safe.

As for MES, the Company has had to take a step back in the face of the current situation, re-group and is now striding forth again. This is being done, not only locally, but also through its’ international affiliates and partners. Thus, Industrial Automation 2009 is on track, and Paul hopes that Malaysian exhibitors come out in large numbers to support this showcase for the industrial automation industry. IA News wishes MES the best in its’ endeavours to promote the industrial automation industry, and also, IA News thanks Paul Ng for his uplifting news on the local SME scene.

By 11.00pm, most of the crowd had drifted away, leaving a hardcore of diehard karaoke fans, but even these departed before 11.30pm. All that is left to be said, was said by Benny Yeo, Founder and President of IA Media Group, that he was very keen on organising more of such events for the Industrial Automation industry in Malaysia. IA News, for its’ part, thanks everyone who contributed to the success of the event, including the guests, and especially Dato O.K. Lee, for gracing this northern edition of the IA Community “Meet & Mingle” event.

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Courtesy of IA-Community