Let me start by introducing myself and telling you an interesting story that happened very early in my career.

I studied in the University of Leicester from 1989 to 1992 and graduated with a First-Class Honors Degree in Electrical Engineering.

Upon graduation, there was no break for me, as my dad was waiting for me to start working with him. He had a Consultancy Firm doing Electrical projects that he founded in 1979. I just had the weekend to get over the jet-lag before reporting for work on the Monday. I was only 20 then as I graduated in August, and I am born in November.

 I was assigned to head a large infrastructure project on the outskirts of Batu Pahat. This was an industrial park where prospective investors would buy large lots and build their own factories. We had to ensure the relevant infrastructure was in place to facilitate their easy connection. The scope of work included underground telecommunications infrastructure such as the installation of JC9C and R2A manholes. It also encompassed the laying of underground Medium Voltage Power Cables, as well as Street Lighting installation using hot dipped galvanized poles with double arms. Being the key Engineer from our firm, I had to chair the meeting to oversee this project.

 Our client was a State Government subsidiary company, and they sent a team of over 10 persons to attend the monthly progress meetings. This included their senior management as well as site supervisors and a clerk of works.

 As this project was a fair distance from Johor Bahru, I made it a point to leave early, and during the drive, I had trepidation about how I was to fare !

 I did my best to keep my head above the water, as I chaired the meeting. I had to take stock of the progress that had been completed by the Contractor, to assess if he was ahead, or behind on the works. The Contractor was a lot more experienced than I was and I think he sized me up quickly as being very fresh.

 I did what was needed, and ended the meeting with a site inspection, to verify the progress of the work. I was the youngest person there and had a lot of learning experiences.  The most daunting one was when the Contractor asked me out to lunch, after the meeting.

 I politely declined, saying my office was a fair distance away, and that I needed to get back fast. I drove back to office in my Proton Aeroback, and follow up on the matters raised, while they were still fresh in my mind.

During the second meeting, the Contractor again asked me to accompany him for lunch, and again, I politely declined. During the third meeting, there was no lunch invitation but once the meeting was over, the Contractor’s driver walked over to my car. He opened my door, just as I was about to depart. This startled me but I was not prepared for what was to come next. He slid a white envelope, in the side cloth pocked of the door and promptly shut it!

 I was not sure what to make of this, but my limited experience told me not to open it, as there were others nearby. I drove into the first palm oil plantation I could find. When I knew I was alone, I opened the envelope. Imagine my surprise when I found fresh 50 Ringgit bills, amounting to RM3000.

 Therein started my dilemma, as I did not know what the Contractor intended with this ‘gift’. After pondering this matter for a good many days, I plucked up the courage to ask my dad what I should do. He said, ‘It is your project, you decide’. This was most unhelpful as I was hoping for some clear direction from him, but in hindsight, this was what I needed to hear.

The next month, when the meeting was over, I signaled the Contractor to meet me behind a metal container that was used as a site office. When we were safely out of sight of the client, I took out the envelope and smacked him on the head with it! I said, ‘I am a nice guy, I do not want your money, if you need help, I can help, within limits’.

Over the next 6 to 9 months, the Contractor underperformed and did not fulfil his contractual obligations. As I was the Superintendent Officer (SO), I had to stop his work, and appoint another party to complete the scope, and deduct the costs from his account.