Opportunities and Exposure: Key Factors in Achieving Success

The experience of growing up in a rural environment is invaluable. It is a natural learning process that teaches children to navigate life’s challenges from a young age. Children in villages often learn essential survival skills through direct interaction with their surroundings. For instance, many rural kids become adept swimmers before they even start school, navigating deep pools and winding rivers. Their playgrounds are filled with natural hazards, from dangerous animals to treacherous terrain. Yet, they instinctively learn to swim, climb tall trees, and stay alert to potential dangers, all of which sharpen their awareness and survival instincts.

In contrast, children growing up in urban environments, like those from Chinese communities, are often exposed to business environments from a young age. While rural children might be mastering the art of climbing a coconut tree, their urban counterparts are developing a sharp acumen for trade and entrepreneurship. This early exposure gives them a significant advantage in the business world, something that many Malay children lack due to the different environments they are raised in.

Even at the age of 20, I had never seen or understood what a factory was. In my mind, a factory was just a small rubber processing workshop, typically set up by MARA to assist the villagers. No one in the village had the capital to own such a facility, making it a distant concept for us.

However, through my work, I was fortunate to be exposed to the financial industry and to work across five continents. My journey from a village boy lost in Kota Bharu to understanding the world as one interconnected entity taught me that opportunities and exposure are critical in determining success.

This brings me to an important message for the government: policies on urbanisation and business development are crucial for the success of the Malay community. Education, no matter how excellent, is only the planting of seeds human capital. But what truly determines employment and success is investment, akin to a farm or estate. Even the best seeds will wither without the proper land to grow in.

This is why someone with a PhD may struggle in business, while a Chinese individual with only an MCE (Malaysian Certificate of Education) can excel. Just observe the entrepreneurial mindset among young and old in the Chinese community. On the other hand, many Malays, regardless of their social group, often lean towards a political mindset. There are countless ways to succeed in business, just as there are countless ways to navigate politics. That’s why anyone can get involved, according to their preferences and interests.

In conclusion, success is not merely about academic achievements but also about the opportunities and exposures one receives. As a community, we must recognize the importance of creating an environment where business and urban development are prioritised, allowing us to cultivate the entrepreneurial spirit necessary for lasting success.