KUALA LUMPUR: Successful entrepreneurs should act as motivators to young entrepreneurs to help the government achieve its “One Family, One Entrepreneur” concept.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said this was also crucial to prepare the nation’s youth to embrace the Industrial Revolution 4.0.
“As we know, the Industrial Revolution 4.0 will be happening in another three decades (2050) and will go through advances in science and technology, so the business system will evolve and it will change the business landscape as a whole.
“The youth should no longer remain in their comfort zones by relying on their degrees alone. Instead, they should venture out into business. There are many opportunities out there for them to grab and they should let go of conventional thinking.
“The government will offer assistance in terms of funds and training to achieve its target in having more young entrepreneurs,” he said at the Malaysia Outstanding National Entrepreneurs Awards (ONE Awards) here today.
Zahid also said online entrepreneurs should be creative in expanding their businesses.
The deputy prime minister handed out awards to 80 people. Among the recipients were Will Group managing director Aliza Ali, celebrity-turned-chef Datuk Ahmad Fazli Yaakob, fashion icon Mohd Azwan Md Nor or Wak Doyok and cosmetics entrepreneur Datuk Seri Aliff Syukri.
Also present at the awards were Dewan Negara deputy president Senator Datuk Seri Abdul Halim Abd Samad and The ONE Awards organising chairman Datuk Nurulhidayah Ahmad Zahid.
Special Lifetime Achievement awards were also presented to Sapura Energy Bhd chief executive officer Tan Sri Shahril Shamsuddin, Hard Rock Malaysia chairman Tan Sri Syed Mohd Yusof Syed Nasir and the country’s first astronaut, Datuk Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor.
Some 1,000 people comprising the who’s who of the local entrepreneurial scene turned up for the awards, dubbed the “Oscars” for entrepreneurs in Malaysia.
Among the awards presented were for Small Medium Enterprises, Financial Services, Bumiputera in Business, Online Business, Women in Business, Special Talent Entrepreneur and Property.