1000 99

There was a recent news story entitled “Boy Who Was Stricken With Polio And Is Wheelchair-Bound, Now Owns 800 Minimart Outlets
Throughout Malaysia”.

Link to article: http://www.malaysiandigest.com/frontpage/29-4-tile/674400-boy-who-was-stricken-with-polio-and-is-wheelchair-bound-now-owns-800-minimart-outlets-throughout-m-sia.html

People forget that the poor guy, Mr Lee Thiam Wah, almost became a victim of racist, vicious and unwarranted boycott campaign targeted at 99 Speedmart after the elections.

I went out of the way to support him because I knew he was a genuine rags to riches story, a disabled person AND most of all, he is a non racist.

His staff used to tell me he treats them well. The irony about the absurd boycott is that he employed over 8000 staff, who are mostly Malays.

In my travels and exploration, I always see a 99 Speedmart outlet in every unknown and new neighborhood. I was thinking this a network more extensive than police stations or post offices. Surely it will be worth gold in future. Power to the hardworking man in a wheelchair. What an inspiring story for entrepreneurs.

Update/edit: I checked their Facebook page and 99 Speedmart has already opened its 951 outlet, nearing a grand total of 1000.

Website:
http://www.99speedmart.com.my/

Happy International Women’s Day

Happy International Women’s Day, today.

Re-posting an image of Bonda Emma in conjunction. She’s the very successful woman lemang entrepreneur, mother and matriarch of a big extended family. Yet she behaves with humility and is down to earth always. She giggled like a bashful teen when she saw me walking in

Original post : Motherly Emma.

Bonda Emma appeared genuinely happy and excited when she saw me walking towards her. I was surprised she didn’t do a double take nor was there delay in recalling or recognising me. She has thousands of repeat customers, after all.

She giggled like a teen and asked me what I like as she will give me a treat. I last met her during Hari Raya and she told me subsequently she will treat me after seeing her lemang pics and the ensuing publicity.

I normally don’t accept free stuff from places I reviewed as a matter of principle and ethics. Nevertheless, receiving lemang as a festive gift is a tradition like how we give lemang to relatives, friends and neighbours during festivals. I accepted it in that spirit.

The Malay word Bonda in her moniker is old world, palace usage and an affectionate term for mother. Bonda Emma may be motherly but she is no ordinary woman. She runs a very big operation with 20 or 30 staff and her turnover is higher than that of many other sole-proprietorships.

I complimented her on being active on Facebook. She comes to like many of my daily posts and not just of those that featured her. She blushed and said it is to kill time after work. She even remembered my recent Penang trip posts.

So much humility and ‘humaness’ from a very successful and busy entrepreneur. Awe and respect.

Behind her in red shirt is the chain-smoking, firestarter. chef and family friend Hamdan who I interviewed during the Hari Raya feature.

When I was leaving and as parting words, Emma told me she will share my upcoming posts when it is published 🙂

To be continued…

Sony Alpha a7R, ISO 4000, f4, 1/60 sec.

#streetphotography #documentaryphotography #lemang #lemangbonda #bondaemma #emma #harirayahaji #eidaladha #eid #festival #stall #entreprenuer #candid #night #sonyalpha #a7r #zeiss