In this edition of "Then and Now", we feature another Fifth Former of 1976 ....
AM (Form 5 Arts 1,'76 and Upper 6 Arts '78), is now
Dato' A @ FB, and someone who has made waves in corporate Malaysia.
He is currently CEO of The New Straits Times Press (NSTP), so if any of their publications spell your name wrong in any interview that you guys happen to give, you know who to call, lah. Ha ha ha ...
Prior to joining NSTP, he was in the television business, as operations director of TV3, where he is credited for revitalising the channel with enhanced programming and content. Later he became CEO of NTV7. And before that he spent over 20 years in Bank Utama and Shell.
Banking, oil & gas, TV and now news publications ... what a varied and impressive career! Congratulations Anthony! Obviously another great product of St Joe. But enough of the boring corporate stuff. What's definitely more interesting is how some of his old kawan remember him. Here's a sampling ...
BC says: "... a word to describe AM in those days would probably be Mr. Cool ... mind you in our day that word didn't even exist but looking back, Mr.Cool was that kind of Fonzi (from Happy Days) - suave, detached, sardonic and yet likeable. The last time we saw each other was our time in UM ... but by then he was a serious no-nonsense bookworm who spent too much time in the library, though I think that cool factor never left him ... syabas, well done, Anthony".
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ELAS remembers: "the one with the innocent look ....quiet, unassuming at first glance... but still water runs deep... he didn't seem to study much, yet always among the top in class. As he put it..."I do study...nature study....of the 'other species'.... that motivates me". A great pal to have around, once you get to know him better"
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SB speaks of: "a few weary occasions where we dozed off in the library and were rudely awakened by Bro Columba on his spot checks!! Also worked with him during the Bank Utama days, and rushing to complete cash balancing at the end of business days, so that A could go pick up his then gf (now wife) ... Oh ya, there was also this incident involving an Austin Mini exchanged/swapped for Toyota Corolla Hatchback for the weekend ..."
On the personal side, I learnt from Anthony that his hobbies include golf, a bit of tennis, some futsal and some cycling (forced into it by the kids). He also enjoys travelling, reading and of course makan-makan ... He is married to a Teresian (the love bridge works its wonders again!), and they have four kids - two girls, two boys.
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Selamat Hari Raya, Anthony. Hope these recollections bring a smile and add to the festivities of the day ...
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