Dato’ Jimmy Choo,

OBE
When you have a theme song and
that song was recorded by Ashanti,
you know you have made it. When
people like Jay-Z and Lil’ Kim
mentions your name too, there is
definitely something right in what
you are doing. Jimmy Choo is not
your ordinary shoemaker. His name is synonymous with luxury
footwear and women all around the world would do just about
anything to own a pair designed by him. He was born in Penang to a
shoemaker and at the age of 11 years old, he had
already crafted his very first shoe. He went to London
to study and in 1983, he graduated from the London
College of Fashion. Three years later, he opened his
shoe shop in Hackney. His designs quickly established
himself as an up-and-coming shoe designer and when
British Vogue expressed desire to feature him in their publication, his
career as a shoe designer took off. The magazine gave him a record
8-page spread where he featured his collection and from then on,
Jimmy Choos have become the sought-after footwear of the rich and
famous. From ordinary people to celebrities
and even royalty, people from all walks of
life desire a pair of Jimmy Choos. Even the
late Princess Diana was a loyal client of his.
In the fashion world, there is definitely no
Malaysian who can compare to Jimmy Choo.
He is probably the most talked about Malaysian out there today. The
UK has even recognised his
contributions to the fashion
and shoe industry by
conferring him an Order of the
British Empire (OBE).
 Tan Sri Syed
Mokhtar Al-
bukhary
Malaysia’s Kedah-born “Rice
Tycoon” is a genuine rags-to-riches story. Without a gilded
upbringing or education, he spent his formative years in the
school of hard knocks selling meat, vegetables and roti
canai. Now his wide-ranging tentacles spread across
multiple business spheres. Among the jewels in his crown
are DRB-Hicom Bhd, Malakoff Corp, Malaysian Mining
Company, Bernas, Port of Tanjung Pelepas, Johor Port and
Bank Muamalat. For all his success, this unassuming
billionaire’s lasting legacy could be the Al-Bukhary
Foundation, with millions disbursed for scholarships and
philanthropic programs for the poor.
 Tan Sri Tony
Fernandes
The phrase “Everyone can fly”
has now become
AirAsia’s famous tagline.
And the man who made
it possible for every
Malaysian to travel
around the world and
experience different
cultures through
Malaysia’s first low-cost
airline is Anthony Francis Fernandes, better known as Tony
Fernandes.
Shortly after the 9/11 tragedy, Tony mortgaged his own house in
October 2001 to purchase the government’s bleeding low-cost
subsidiary property and launched AirAsia. After 2 years, the
public-listed airline company not only broke even, but it also
became profitable.
Since then, the Malaysian mogul has been involved in a reality
TV series, “The Apprentice Asia”, and is the founder of the
Caterham F1 Formula One team as well as the Chairman of
Queens Park Rangers. In 2004,
Forbes Asia ranked him as
Malaysia’s 28th richest man,
with a net worth of US$650
million.
His personal motto is, “Believe
the unbelievable. Dream the
impossible. Never take no for
an answer.”