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YB DATO' MUKHRIZ MAHATHIR
DEPUTY MINISTER OF INTERNATIONAL TRADE AND INDUSTRY
AT THE LAUNCHING OF SHELL BUSINESS SERVICE CENTRE
15 AUGUST 2011 (MONDAY)
CYBERJAYA
Assalamualaikum W.B.T dan Salam 1Malaysia.
Yang Berusaha Encik Azman Ismail,
Managing Director of Shell Malaysia Trading Sdn Bhd;
Yang Berbahagia Datuk Badlisham Ghazali,
CEO of Multimedia Development Corporation (MDeC);
Mr. Mike Sinclair
Vice President of Shell Business Service Centre;
Ms. Mabal Tan,
General Manager of Shell Business Service Centre Kuala Lumpur;
Members of the Media,
Ladies and Gentlemen.
1. First and foremost, allow me to thank the organisers for their kind invitation and to congratulate Shell Malaysia on their official launch of the Shell Business Service Centre here in Kuala Lumpur.
2. I am delighted to be here to share this very important milestone with you, not least because Shell was one of the first multinationals to set up an IT service centre here in Cyberjaya in 2001.
3. I am also encouraged that after ten exciting years, Shell continues to have a significant presence in Cyberjaya through its Shell Business Services Centre or SBSC.
4. This fact demonstrates your confidence and commitment to Malaysia and her talent throughout the past 120 years of Shell’s history in the country.
5. Shell was the first petroleum company to set up here both in the downstream business as well as the upstream business and we are pleased to see your continued investment in the discovery, development and stewardship of the country’s oil and gas resources.
Honourable Guests,
6. The energy industry is a key contributor to our nation’s economic progress and development as well as a key source of revenue for the Government. Shell’s contribution to Malaysia in this respect and the development of her workforce is praiseworthy.
7. To put things into context, foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows to Malaysia are expected to reach US$10 billion in 2011 surpassing last year’s strong record of US$9.1 billion. Undoubtedly, the Government’s initiatives such as the Economic Transformation Programme (ETP) are key drivers in attracting foreign investments.
8. Accordingly, Shell continues in its role as a long-term partner in Malaysia’s economic development through its RM5.1 billion investments for 2011.
9. A part of this investment is manifested in this Shell Business Services Centre – not just in the infrastructure but perhaps more importantly in the human capital investment of the talented senior and young people employed here.
10. I have been made to understand that SBSC KL employs as much as 2,100 knowledge workers or knowledge thinkers as I would prefer to call them. The majority of these employees are Malaysians but also include 15 other nationalities. I am told that the personnel’s average age is 33 years old providing the following services to the Shell Group across the world – IT, Finance, HR, Contracting and Procurement, Customer Service and Supply & Distribution.
11. Thus, the Malaysian Government acknowledges Shell’s role in developing the Malaysian labour force in line with this Government’s aspiration to become a high-income nation by 2020.
12. Needles to say, we are elated that SBSC has been placed in Cyberjaya. This is all part of Cyberjaya’s stellar organic growth. Furthermore, Shell’s pioneering ways continue with its choice of this particular building to house SBSC - I note that this green building is the first of its kind in Malaysia certified LEED Gold. I believe that there are many Green advocates among your youthful workforce and they should take pride in this recognition.
13. Shell could do well when recruiting aspiring candidates who are environmentally conscious. I believe that this will be a draw to meet Shell’s aspiration to grow its personnel to 3000 in the next two years.
14. For your information we have achieved wonderful successes in the second phase of the MSC spanning 2004 - 2010. Among them are:
• Value-added contribution to GDP stands at RM35.73 billion;
• Shift of local industry from trader to exporter where exports grew by 6.2 times;
• Strengthened our position as a global ICT hub where investments reached RM27.8 billion with FDIs taking the lead at 60% of total investments;
• The diversification of the domestic ICT industry where new sub-sectors (SSO) created with 31% contribution to total revenue;
• 83,841 net new jobs with an average salary of RM4542 per month created;
• 668 technopreneurs nurtured creating additional 1670 job opportunities; and
• The MSC’s value-added contribution to GDP for 2010 amounted to RM7.65 billion or 1.37% of total GDP in 2010.
15. For this year. We have outlined the following target outcomes:
• Industry Enhancement:
- RM7.8 billion GDP Contribution, RM1.5 billion of new investments, 117,000 of total jobs, RM29 billion of revenue and RM10 billion of exports;
• Infusion of ICT:
- Increase ICT adoption and productivity among 400 SMEs, digital Government framework and increase ICT adoption and productivity among 400 SMEs;
• Knowledge Infrastructure:
- 1,000 IPs generated 73% commercialisation, 2 new cybercities/centres, 1,000 professionals developed and 10,500 graduates up-skilled; and
• Thought Leadership:
- Innovative Digital Economy Framework.
16. These are just some of the salient points. There is much more to be proud of.
17. However, despite our best efforts there are those who say that the MSC is a failure! When I look around this room I don’t see any failures-what I do see are talented hardworking people who have an ambition for themselves and their country. When I drive around Cyberjaya to meet with a fraction of the 100,000 plus Malaysian citizens attached to a multitude of international brands who are striving to make a difference in their lives and contribute to this beloved country – I don’t see any losers. The actual losers are the politicians who will say anything regardless of consequences, disparage anyone, and discredit every noble effort just to project themselves. Worse still, not only do they pull wool over the eyes of the Rakyat about the internationally recognised success of the MSC, the opposition has had no qualms taking their campaign of hatred to foreigners to impede the growth of the MSC that will in turn feed their desire to destroy this project and then relish in this hoped failure. Theirs is a selfish cause devoid of any sense of patriotism let alone pride in their own ability to achieve anything truly inspiring.
18. You are living proof that their allegations are false. You represent the difference between progressive politics and regressive politicking. You are the custodians of the future of the MSC, and to a large extent you are also the present and future of this great nation of ours.
19. My friends, before I conclude my short speech – I’d like to restate what Mr. Peter Voser said. To my mind, whether you are the CEO of a multinational giant like Shell or an official representing Government or the proprietor of a SME company; this extraction could prove useful – “Getting the best out of every member of your team is essential. You also need to be able to drive accountability but at the same time empower people and foster localised entrepreneurialism”. I believe this to be true and indeed practicable in our local context.
Honourable Guests,
20. I would also like to take this parting opportunity to commend the Shell Group of Companies and more specifically Shell Malaysia for continuing to believe in Malaysia as a good investment destination for high value-added services. It speaks volumes of the correct positioning for Malaysia by the Government to be a service hub for high-tech work in this region and that our policies of late have been well received by global MNCs.
21. I would encourage Shell to further ramp up their investments here. Ignore the naysayers and continue to use Malaysia as a platform for mutual sustainable growth.
22. And with that I take my leave. I thank once again the organisers for their kind invitation and I hope to see all of you on another fortuitous occasion. Selamat berpuasa and Hari Raya Aidilfitri to the Muslim staff. I wish you a safe journey back to your hometowns. Insha’Allah. |
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