TM in pact with Mentor Niaga to empower Muslim SMEs

• Seminar and convention aimed at Muslim entrepreneurs to be held in Sept and Oct
• Both to feature key Muslim businessmen, experts and icons to motive and mentor SMEs

TELEKOM Malaysia Berhad (TM) said it will collaborate with Mentor Niaga Resources Sdn Bhd in an effort to motivate and inspire small and medium enterprises (SMEs), specifically Muslim entrepreneurs, to move up the value chain and expand their business reach.
 
As part of the collaboration between TM and Mentor Niaga Resources, two seminar and convention sessions will be held to benefit Muslim SMEs – Bisnes Sebagai Fardhu Kifayah and Sifu: 7 Mentors, 7 Industries – in September and October, the two companies said in a joint statement.
 
“We are glad to be able to work hand-in-hand with Mentor Niaga towards empowering Muslim SMEs by enhancing their businesses with our ICT expertise and offerings through this strategic initiative,” said Azizi A. Hadi (pic above, left), executive vice president of TM’s SME business unit.
 
“TM always keeps our doors open for collaboration with local SME organisations and associations to provide other SMEs with the right business exposure catering to different needs – in this case, Islamic content and perspectives on managing business,” he added.
 
Mentor Niaga Resources provides multiple platforms for SMEs to build their networks among the business fraternity.
 
“We at Mentor Niaga always believe that knowledge is power,” said Mentor Niaga Resources chief executive officer Norni Osman (pic above, right).
 
“Most business people, especially bumiputeras, fail not because of financial problems alone, but mostly due to lack of business knowledge and the absence of a business mentor or aspiration to help and guide them,” she said.
 
‘Bumiputera’ is the term used in Malaysia’s affirmative action policies aimed at Malay-Muslims, who make up about 60% of the population.
 
“As we are aware, most Malays are not born [into] business families,” Norni said.
 
“Therefore, when we wish to enter into the business world, we tend to do it using the ‘trial and error’ method, as we do not have prominent successful mentors or business gurus to look up to or to turn to when we have problems.
 
“By organising entrepreneurial events, we hope to inspire and motivate SMEs through knowledge and experience-sharing sessions with reputable and successful entrepreneurs as their mentors,” she added.
 
The Muslim entrepreneur convention entitled Bisnes Sebagai Fardhu Kifayah will be held on Sept 7 at Dewan Muktamar, Kompleks Pusat Islam (JAWI), and aims to create awareness among Malaysian Muslims on the importance of trading as a responsibility towards developing the nation, and not just to gain individual profit.
 
The convention will feature many prominent speakers and business icons including Dr Ameer Ali Mydin, managing director of Mydin Holdings Sdn Bhd; Syed Zainal Abidin Syed Mohamed Tahir, chairman of Minsyam Sdn Bhd; Ali Hassan Mohammad Hassan, managing director of Al-Ikhsan Sports Sdn Bhd; Dr Rusly Abdullah @ Chef Li, an entrepreneurial motivator who is also the writer of best-seller book entitled Menjejaki Jutawan Senyap; Datuk Nadzim Johan, president of the Muslim Consumers Association of Malaysia; and Ustaz Pahrol Mohammad Juoi, an entrepreneur who is also an Islamic freelance speaker.
 
Taking place from Oct 5-6 at the Kristal Hall, TM Convention Centre, the Sifu: 7 Mentors, 7 Industries seminar aims to help bumiputera entrepreneurs who are still looking to find the right business formula and mentors who can guide them towards success in the business world.
 
The seminar will feature speakers such as the above Rusly Abdullah from the food and beverage industry); Syed Mohd Razif Syed Razif (tourism); Azlina Che Abdullah (beauty and cosmetics); Dr Asmadi Mohamad (training and human development); Dr Niki Shuhada Shukor (financial and investment); Che Mona Din (fashion and clothing); Rozali Che Pin (entrepreneur development researcher, International Islamic University); Mohd Suhaimy Abu Bakar, Founder of WangCyber; as well as Marry Annie, professional image consultant and managing director of Training Cube Professional Image.
 
Mentor Niaga Resources and TM said they hoped to see more than 2,000 local SME attendants for both events.
  
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