Q: You have been with F-Secure for seven years now. How has it been? Where do you see yourself in five years?

A: It has been nice to see the development of my current organisation and the new people taking the required responsibilities fast and enjoying their work. Where do I see myself in five years is difficult to predict but I believe I will still be involved with the same industry.

Q: In your opinion, what are key information and communications technology (ICT) issues and challenges faced by Malaysia? What would be your answers to address these issues and challenges?

A: Overall, the Government’s approach on the Multimedia Super Corridor (MSC) is very unique. We can see the results of the collaboration among the various Government agencies and organisations towards making this vision a reality.

The country also managed to attract quite a number of well-known ICT companies. This is also the era that brings Malaysia closer towards the wireless world, Internet-savvy and information-rich society.

Malaysia also has taken a strong lead role to create IMPACT (International Multilateral Partnership Against Cyber Terrorism). It is a commendable global initiative that seeks to establish a unique platform that brings together Governments across the world and the private sector, as partners in the fight against cyber threats.

Q: Do you subscribe to any management philosophy?

A: Konosuke Matsushita, founder of Matsushita Electric Corporation was one of the most inspirational role models for me.

He said, “Lifelong learning may be more related to great success or unusual achievements than IQ, parental socio-economic status, charisma and formal education. Lifelong learning is closely associated with humility, an open mind, a willingness to take risks, a capacity to listen and honest self reflections.” I instil a learning culture within my organisation and the learning must go on.

I also feel strongly about creating a balance between work and your own life. A happy family results in a happy, productive executive. Happiness in an organisation is the key to success. This is the environment and atmosphere that I create for at work.



Q: What are your hopes for ICT – in terms of the sector, technology development, and usage – for the country?

A: The Asia-Pacific region’s Internet adoption is among the fastest in the world with penetration only at 10 per cent, according to some studies. This means that we have a huge potential for substantial growth in the region. With the advent of the Internet era, countries like China, India, Indonesia, the Philippines and Malaysia will show huge growth in certain business segments.

With that in mind, I foresee an increase of usage in mobile phones and a change of buying behaviour. We are getting more connected living in a borderless world.

Technology enables us to be more dependent on these tools just to get by on a day-to-day basis. More services are being offered online nowadays. Security will become a prevalent part of this growth and will become an obvious need.

I hope that F-Secure will be able to make a major contribution towards making security a part of these daily lives.