KUALA LUMPUR (Dec 8): Goh Miah Kiat, CEO of the world's largest condom maker Karex Bhd, was named EY Entrepreneur of the Year (EOY) 2016 for Malaysia at a gala event tonight attended by some 600 guests comprising leaders of corporate Malaysia and partners of EY.
Goh, who also won the master entrepreneur category award, will represent Malaysia to compete against over 60 other country winners for the coveted EY World EOY award at the annual event in Monte Carlo next year.
Karex is a family business listed on the Main Market of Bursa Malaysia. When Goh joined Karex on completing his studies in 1999, he took over the sales and marketing division. At the time, the company only had an annual turnover of RM7 million and a staff strength of 60.
"Through his vision, creativity and determined courage, Goh has grown Karex into the largest condom manufacturer in the world, with a manufacturing capacity of five billion pieces per annum, employing 2,600 employees and generating a revenue of over RM300 million in less than 17 years," said EY in a statement.
Ernst & Young Advisory Services Sdn Bhd partner and EOY Malaysia programme director Philip Rao said Goh is an exemplary role model who made his first foray into the world of enterprise at a young age and turned Karex into what it is today.
"Driven by foresight, innovativeness and entrepreneurial spirit, Goh has not just helped transform the business, but has acted as a positive influencer and enabler of the industry’s growth opportunities. Through its products and services, Karex has improved the health safety of societies across the world, helping prevent HIV/AIDS and sexually-transmitted diseases, besides promoting family planning.
"A true modern entrepreneur, he brings a great sense of purpose and passion towards making a positive impact on his business, employees, customers and key stakeholders. We have no doubt that Goh will do us proud in Monte Carlo next year,” said Rao.
Second finance minister Datuk Johari Abdul Ghani, who officiated the ceremony, said: “Entrepreneurs are the lifeblood of our economy, and we must leverage the power of modern entrepreneurship to build successful, ethical businesses that uplift society and the environment as a whole.”
“All the 24 Top Nominees in this year’s EOY Malaysia programme are worthy winners in their own right, and we are proud and privileged to recognize and showcase their extraordinary journeys and accomplishments, nationally and globally,” said Datuk Abdul Rauf Rashid, EY's managing partner for Malaysia.
“Through their exceptional leadership, tenacity and innovative thinking, they have been asking better questions and creating far-reaching impact in their effort to help the world work better,” he said.
This year marks the 15th edition of the EY Entrepreneur of the Year award in Malaysia. It also saw the highest number of top nominees in the history of the award in the country, at 24.
EY also presented three other awards for entrepreneurial excellence to S T Rubaneswaran Thevasenabathy, CEO and director of Knowledgecom Corp Sdn Bhd in the emerging entrepreneur category, Edwin Lim Beng Fook, co-founder and chairman of K-One Technology Bhd in the technology entrepreneur category, and Goh Ai Ching, co-founder and CEO of Piktochart Sdn Bhd in the woman entrepreneur category.
The three recipients, as well as the overall country award winner and master entrepreneur winner, were selected by an independent panel of judges.
The judges were: former Ministry of International Trade and Industry secretary-general Tan Sri Dr Rebecca Sta Maria, Bursa Malaysia Bhd director of securities market Ong Li Lee, SME Development Bank Bhd group managing director Datuk Mohd Razif Mohd Yunus, Malaysian Digital Economy Corp director of innovation capital Dr Karl Ng, Hyrax Oil Sdn Bhd founder and group managing director Datuk Hazimah Zainuddin (EY Woman EOY 2002 Malaysia), Dialog Group Bhd executive chairman Tan Sri Dr Ngau Boon Keat (EY EOY 2013 Malaysia) and Iris Corp Bhd group MD and chief executive Datuk Tay Say Jim (EY EOY 2015 Malaysia).