"Building A Closer Community"

Industrial Automation Nite 2008 at the Sunway Pyramid Resort Hotel, started off very quietly and calmly, with guests arriving and registering themselves from 5.30pm onwards. As the Reception Hall began to fill up, previous associations and friendships caused the crowd to begin gathering in small groups, all engaged in animated conversation. At one point, it was difficult to hear oneself above the continuous buzz being made by those present. But, it was not just in the Reception Hall that groups of people began to gather. The inveterate smokers amongst those present, formed their own groups outside the venue, the Sunway Pyramid Resort Hotel, and they, too, were engaged in animated conversations with each other ! To add to the background at the Reception Hall, there came the muted music provided by a three piece band playing classic songs from yesteryear. Friendships renewed, new ones forged, hot current topics discussed and the soft, sweet music, all added up to a most welcome atmosphere for those who came to grace Industrial Automation Nite 2008. Altogether, about six hundred guests attended the event, and they represented more than fifty Companies and other industry players.

All too soon, it was 7.30pm, time for those present to make their way into the Banqueting Hall, to await the arrival of the VVIPs, the VIPs and the Guest-of-Honour. They did not have long to wait, as the honoured guests entered the Banqueting Hall just before 8.00pm. And then, to a standing ovation from the guests, and accompanied by rousing orchestral music, the VVIPs, VIPs and the Guest-of-Honour were given a red carpet welcome, accompanied by dancers dressed in traditional attire. As they walked slowly past the standing guests, the applause was not only thunderous, but also prolonged. This was the way the players in the industrial automation industry of Malaysia, paid homage to their esteemed guests at this, the inaugural Industrial Automation Nite. Once the entourage was seated, the Master of Ceremonies made a short speech welcoming everyone present to the event, especially the honoured guests, both foreign and local.

The Guest-of-Honour for Industrial Automation Nite 2008, was the Deputy Minister of Science, Technology And Innovation, the Right Honourable Tuan Haji Fadillah Bin Yusof. Another VVIP was the Chairman of Malaysian Industrial Development Authority (MIDA), Tan Sri' Datuk Zainal Abidin Sulong, a man credited with the extraordinary development of Malaysia’s industrial sector in recent decades. The Executive Director of Resorts World Berhad, Tan Sri Alwi Jantan, also graced the event with his presence. Together with the local dignitaries, Industrial Automation Nite 2008 also hosted guests from neighbouring ASEAN countries. Present were Mr Liang Chong Kang, Chairman of the Singapore Manufacturers Federation - Automation Technology Industry Group (SMa ATIG), and Mr Sunny Chin, President of the Singapore High Technology Association (SHTA). To round up the VVIP list from our ASEAN neighbours, were Mr. Samer Leeabchantra, Pro-Tem Chairman of the proposed Automation Technology Association of Thailand, and another heavyweight, Mr Chanin Khaochan, the Head of BUILD (BOI Unit For Industrial Linkage Development) from Board of Investment, Thailand. Along with Mr Benny Yeo, the President and Founder of IA-Community, Mr Tiong Khe Hock, Chairman of Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers – Automation Technology Industry Group (FMM-ATIG), was also present, to make the local and foreign dignitaries feel at home. With such a heavyweight list of VVIPs, it was no wonder that those present paid such high tribute to their presence !

Once the lights dimmed, an expectant hush came over the six hundred or so guests present, and they were not to be disappointed. Accompanied by rousing music, a short film was shown, summarizing the development and accomplishments of IA-Community. Everything which culminated in today’s event, Industrial Automation Nite 2008, started off as a seed planted by Mr Benny Yeo, the President and Founder of IA-Community. The music during the short film presentation was incredibly inspiring, and the ending was spectacular, with the logos of all those Companies which had supported IA-Community for the past years, appearing one after the other in sequence, and in synchronization to the music. It was truly awe-inspiring ! At the end of the film presentation, those present broke out with spontaneous applause, at what they had just witnessed.

And then, it was on to the serious business of speeches, with Mr Benny Yeo leading the way. He dwelt on the progress made by IA-Community since its’ inception, and how it has helped to bring the industrial automation community in the ASEAN region closer together. The thrust of his speech was that we live in a globalised world, and that therefore, we would all be better off if we co-operated with each other. The moment of applause from the audience came when he honoured Tan Sri Datuk Zainal Abidin Sulong in his speech, the Chairman of MIDA, for contributing his lifetime career to the economy of Malaysia.

His speech was followed by that of the Chairman of the Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers – Automation Technology Industry Group (FMM-ATIG), Mr. Tiong Khe Hock. The Chairman thanked Mr Benny Yeo for initiating the setup and being the first Pro-Tem Chairman of the FMM-ATIG, and outlined the progress made by this relatively young industry group under the aegis of FMM, in representing the industrial automation industry, and encouraged those Companies which had not joined FMM-ATIG, to sign up pronto ! He listed the benefits of having a strong and representative association, to better represent the industry’s needs.

Finally, it was the turn of the Guest-of-Honour, the Deputy Minister of Science, Technology And Innovation, Tuan Haji Fadillah Bin Yusof, to impart his words of wisdom to those present. In summary, he focused on the serious financial issues facing the nation, and how each and everyone of those present could help Malaysia to overcome whatever adversity is thrown at the nation. Amongst other points, he emphasized that the natural creativity inherent in all Malaysians, should be utilized for the good of all. He said that even though Malaysian Companies may not have the financial clout of their counterparts in more developed countries, the creativity of Malaysians was such that they could take products developed elsewhere, improve them, and then use them for applications previously un-thought of. His speech was very well received by the industry leaders present, and he received a rousing round of applause as a result.

Upon completion of the speeches, the Master of Ceremonies thanked the speechmakers, and announced that dinner would shortly be served. By now, after three inspiring speeches, the guests were just about ready to fill their stomachs with some of the sumptuous fare on offer ! A buzz of expectancy could be heard throughout the dimmed Banqueting Hall, as lines of lighted candles appeared, borne by the waiters.

This was followed by a cold serving of eastern delicacies, otherwise known as a “Platter of Cantonese Cold Cut Appetizers”. It was just the stuff needed to whet the appetites ! What followed would have warmed the cockles on the seabed of the North Atlantic Ocean ! A delicious “Braised 8 Treasure Butterfly Shark’s Fin Soup” was then served, and this readied the stomach for warmer fare on the way !

Between the second and third dishes, a dance group, “Muhibbah”, entertained the diners with dancing accompanied by an up tempo version of a Malay golden oldie. Perhaps this was appropriate, because the next dish served was baked Indonesian chicken with prawn crackers. The dish was cooked to perfection, and the flesh of the chicken was juicy on the palate, unlike in many restaurants, where it is dry and needs a liquid to send it down one’s throat. Following on from the succulent Indonesian chicken, steamed red mullet was the next order of the day. It was served with soy sauce, with the whole dish being topped up with crispy ginger.

The trays of food were then halted temporarily, as Mr Benny Yeo of IA Community, invited the Guest-of Honour, Tuan Haji Fadillah Bin Yusof, to take centre stage with him. This was done so that all those individuals and Companies, who had supported IA-Community through the last five years, could be honoured and thanked for their support. Each of those invited, received a memento from the Guest-of-Honour.

Normal food service was resumed after this interlude, with the next dish on the menu being wok-fried live tiger prawns, with Szechuan chili sauce. Although they were a bit messy on the fingers, the prawns were tender and delicious ! It was hilarious watching some of the guests debating whether to use their fingers or their chopsticks to eat these prawns !

Once again, the arrival of food also signaled the arrival of another set of dancers, “Paperdolls”, who proceeded to entertain the diners. These were a more raunchy set of performers, albeit in a very discreet manner. They danced a medley of dances, ranging from quasi traditional Chinese dances, to sedate Malay numbers, followed by a typical dance routine from Bollywood. They also performed the odd western-type dance, accompanied by much clapping and wolf whistles from the diners ! Things got so hot, that they were even joined on stage by some of the guests present, who showed off their dancing skills in an impromptu manner, much to the amusement of onlookers !

Whilst all these energetic body-jerking and sensual gymnastics were taking place on stage, the guests continued feeding their faces. Every dish was as eagerly anticipated as the one before it. After the prawns came one of the most delicious offerings of the evening – stewed assorted mushrooms with seasonal vegetables. It was sheer pleasure letting the mushrooms slide down one’s throat !

Then, the ultimate stomach filler, traditional kampung fried rice with silver anchovies (aka ikan bilis to most of us!), was served. If there were any hungry souls left, this dish solved that problem ! To top it all off, a cooling, sweetened honey dew melon with sago and vanilla ice cream was next dished up. This made it impossible for most guests to eat any more, and so they sat back to enjoy the next act.

Just about 10.00pm, the comedian Helmi began his routine, and very soon had the bloated audience in stitches, with his hilarious rendition of a popular English song translated into the Malay language. It was nearly forty minutes of belly-tickling laughs, with the double-meanings that Helmi cleverly wove into his comedy routine. He did not quite offend the sensitivities of those present, but he came close with some of his translations ! Everyone present took his act in good fun though, and had a good laugh at his antics, which involved a certain amount of audience participation.

Industrial Automation Nite 2008 was brought to an end, when all Members of the Organising Committee and the FMM-ATIG Sub-Committee were invited onto the stage, with their drinks in hand. The Master of Ceremonies then invited Mr Benny Yeo to accompany the Guest-of-Honour onto the stage as well. When the Deputy Minister joined those already on stage, he was presented with a memento by the President and Founder of IA-Community, as a token of appreciation for officiating at Industrial Automation Nite 2008.

After this was done, the Master of Ceremonies asked those on stage to extend a toast of thanks to all those industry players present on the night. This toast was accompanied by one of the most popular songs from the super rock group, titled “We Are The Champions”. This was a fitting final salute to all those representing the industrial automation industry of Malaysia.

All that was left to bring the night’s celebrations to an end, was to wish farewell to the esteemed guests and especially the Guest-of-Honour, Tuan Haji Fadillah Bin Yusof, the Deputy Minister of Science, Technology And Innovation. All present applauded as Mr Benny Yeo accompanied his honoured guests out of the Banqueting Hall, followed by those present.

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Courtesy of IA-Community