My meeting with ABG ABU and ABG GHAZALI from NowAsia, Kelab Ekoniaga and Chicago Style LLP

I had visualized to meet Abg Abu, for the past few years and I finally got to meet him in person. I met him at his office on the eve of National Day somewhere at Peck Seah Street.

I actually met Abg Abu in person before, that was somewhere in 2004, during Malay Chambers of Commerce Gala Dinner Entrepreneur of the Year Award. Abang Malek , MD of Lerus Pte Ltd introduced me to Abg Abu and we shook hands but I didn’t know much about him at that time. That was the last time I met Abg Abu in person until recently.

I have admired him from afar, and I’ve been following his developments especially in his cause to educate the community on the importance of wealth management and basic business skills. He also conducts seminars and workshops. He’s a regular columnist with Berita Harian. You should read his articles and attend his seminars or workshops. I missed his last free seminar MAP untuk KAYA. Looking forward to the next one. InsyaALLAH.

Anyway try google abang abu and you’d be so impressed by what he has achieved. 6 businesses, own several properties, investing stocks at the age of 19! I can go on and on and on.... Very inspiring indeed! I feel the community is so fortunate to have him and how I wish we had met earlier during the days I started out my business. He’s a role model to the youths that hope to be entrepreneurs one day. I wish there are more like him in our community that come forward and reach out to the rest. What impresses me a lot and also my compelling reason to meet him is his deep commitment towards young people's success in entrepreneurship and financial intelligence. I can’t emphasize the fact that financial education should start early….. And these days our young budding entrepreneurs are so fortunate to have people like him around to guide them in their businesses.

It was an “emotional” conversation I had with Abg Abu, I had so much to confide to him on a lot of issues. Byk issues terpendam maklumlah! It was like a volcano waiting to erupt and it happened in his office. LOL! I couldn’t stop talking, pouring out my tots, my life story, talking passionately as usual, regardless whether he was interested to know or not, I just couldn’t stop. Lol!

But there was another person who sat quietly beside him that listened intently to my conversation. He was Abang Ghazali.

Abang Abu had to leave for an appointment. I can’t blame him, I took so much of his time. Sorry ya bang. Anyway, thank you for your time. I appreciate so much!

But I continued my conversation with Abang Ghazali instead after Abang Abu left for his appointment. We actually had some pretty good conversations, and prior to that he didn't talk much.

He shared the same sentiments on some issues within our community especially my peers. I didn’t know much about him as he seems to be a very humble person. He never did talk about himself, maybe cuz talked too much. Lol! But then again throughout the conversation, we did exchange ideas and thoughts that were constructive. It wasn't just superficial conversations.

He very much reminded me of one of my mentors i knew during my early years in business, a Chinese businessman I met on a plane during my trip back from China dulu. He was surprised to see a malay boy sitting alone in a plane going back from guangzhou and kept asking about myself. And we end up talking about so many things, some of which I've kept close to my heart till today.

Anyway back to Abg Ghazali. Well I look forward to meet him in the future. I actually wanted to email him to thank him, but it got a bit long-winded and so I post it on my blog instead. And I sms him yesterday to read my post that was written for him. He said he would do it. But you guys can take a peek at this as well.

http://fyepropertyclub.blogspot.com/2007/08/fye-property-club.html


And guess what I found out about Abang Ghazali. And this is like a few minutes ago, honest! And this is even before I complete this post.

Mohamed Ghazali Mahmood, although trained as an accountant, has been involved in business for over 15 years. The wealth of experience gained from the IT and F&B ventures has helped him in his foray into the training and consulting field which he embarked on since 2001.His strengths are in the areas of Accounting & Finance and Business Planning & Development.Ghazali has a professional qualification from the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (UK) and Int'l Dip. In Teaching & Training (C&G - UK).

So enough said.