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RAISING HOPES
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According to a Forbes Asia release in June, Datuk Palaniappan Kasi is the 40th richest man in Malaysia. Now this PIO wants more Indians to share the country’s growing wealth and clout. Meet the visionary businessman
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Datuk Palaniappan Kasi, 49, lives by a simple philosophy—be the best that you can be. It’s a philosophy that’s evidently served him very well, in a survey by Forbes Asia released in June 2007 he emerged 40th in the top 40 rich list in Malaysia, with a net worth of US Dollars 65 million (Indian Rupees 2.6 billion). Coming from a modest background that he does—his father was a school teacher—that’s saying a lot. Not only about this architect and real estate developer’s thirst to be the best, but also about how PIOs from modest backgrounds across the world are climbing to the absolute top, even though political and business systems will not support them all the time.
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"In today’s globalized society, you should see the world as your market. If you are good, you’ll do well anywhere in the world"
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WHITE COLLAR
Kasi has tirelessly worked to increase the stake of Indians in the Malaysian national economy.
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Simply put, they make their own systems, define their own work ethics, and chart out their own road maps, even if it often means taking roads that are in poet Robert Frost’s glorious words, pretty much less
travelled. “The pursuit of knowledge, striving for excellence, perseverance, they all come off,” Kasi says at 10.30 in the evening, still perched at his workplace at the Perdana Business
Centre.
A bachelor’s degree in architecture from the School of Planning and Architecture, Delhi, followed by a string of degrees later, he’s now managing director and CEO at the MK Land Holdings
Berhad, managing a staff of over 1,600. He’s led teams to design, develop and innovate projects such as Damansara
Perdana, Damansara Damai, Cyberia, Bukit Merah Laketown and Langkawi Lagoon Resort, and built over 40,000 houses ranging from affordable to high-end in the last 10 years. He’s also the owner of three hotels and holds august positions in several global institutions of repute. “In today’s globalized society, you should see the world as your market. If you are good, you’ll do well anywhere in the world,” he tells you, adding, “Today, the Indian brand is respected for knowledge and for who you are.”
Going by the string of recognitions he has received, surely he’s a very respected man. Over the years Kasi received numerous excellence awards in recognition of his accomplishments, including the 2001 Presidential Medal bestowed by The American Institute of Architects for his efforts to enhance the understanding and interaction of architects worldwide.
In a survey by Forbes Asia released in June 2007 he emerged 40th in the top 40 rich list in Malaysia, with a net worth of US Dollars 65 million (Indian Rupees 2.6 billion)
A few words on his working style are due. Kasi works long hours, and doesn’t mind meeting up at his office late in the evening. “You have to be willing to pay the price for success, it’s not for everybody,” he tells you. And that can mean giving up watching television, and putting in those extra hours to stay on top, and choking off all waste to conserve energy for maximum impact.
With more than 24 years experience, Kasi has contributed much to the profession of architects and the building industry in the country. Kasi has high hopes for the Indian community. At a media workshop held recently, he gave a great presentation on Malaysian civilisation and developments within which he described the potential of the Malaysian Indian community.
“Creating the new Malaysian Indian is not a job that can be achieved by one person or one group. It needs groups and people working together. As such, media is a resource that needs to be tapped regularly and systematically in the process of creating the New Malaysian Indian,” says
Kasi. You could say that he’s not only a successful businessman, but very Media savvy as well.
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more...
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August 2007
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