Business

Saturday March 7, 2009

Ani Arope answers your 10 questions


GIVEN his extensive experience in the field of agriculture as well as a six-year stint as boss of national utility Tenaga Nasional Bhd, Tan Sri Ani Arope, no doubt, possesses a wealth of knowledge. He takes time to answer readers’ questions in between fl ying planes, riding horses, gardening and reading.

1. What motivated you to learn so many languages? – Lucy, KL

There were no formal lessons per se. They just evolved within my setting.

I grew up in Penang in a highly mixed environment of Malays, Javanese, Boyanese, Hokkiens, Tamils, Thais, Burmese, Eurasians, Arabs and Jews. We were protective of each other.

The uncovered monsoon drain along Cantonment Road used to be our meeting spot. During siesta hours, we’d sneak out of the house and tease out the hair-like worms between the concrete slabs lining the drain for our fighting fish. We risked facing the wrath of our parents if we were caught playing there. When one of our names were called out, we’d reply in the language of the caller (with accent and all) that Ah Hai or Gopal (or whoever) was not with us and probably at home!

During the war, I spent four years of primary school studying in Japanese. It came in handy later at the Rubber Research Institute as I had to interact with the Japanese staff of the Malaysian Rubber Research and Development Board.

I did my English education in a Catholic Mission School and learnt the optional subjects – French and Latin. My daughter did her doctoral dissertation entirely in French at the University of Lausanne, Switzerland. She resides there and corresponds with me in French most times. So, it’s an incentive to keep up with the language.

May I add that being multilingual is a natural potential for all of us rather than an unusual exception.

2. After an illustrious career in agriculture in MARDI, RRIM (Rubber Research Institute Malaysia) and Kumpulan Guthrie Bhd, how do you think the country can enhance its R&D? – Dr Chee Yan Kuan, Klang

I would like to highlight “research personnel, staff development and administrative procedure”. The inadequacy of research staff trained in the right discipline at the desired level is a limiting factor in developing an effective research programme.

There is a notion in developing countries that graduates with a minimum exposure of science and technology (S&T) can guide the country in its S&T development. This is faulty reasoning.

No country has achieved significant progress in S&T without a sound research programme leadership led by scientists who understand experimental methodology and appreciate full exploitation of ideas in utilising and allocating resources to implement research.

One factor that has contributed to the excessive attrition of scientists is the restriction in promotion opportunities within a research field.

3. After your departure from the helm of TNB, indeed a high profile job, we have seen or heard very little from you. Is it deliberate? – Jeevan, Selayang

One day a peacock, next day a feather duster. C’est la vie, n’est-ce pas? The world’s a stage and we are mere players. We make our entrances and once the curtains come down, make a gracious bow and move on. I have no regrets. I have “acted” out my role with honesty, integrity and fairness. My crowning glory is a life well lived.

People ask me whether I have really retired. I say “yes” but I spell it differently – re-tyre. There are highways and country roads for me to get a move on and keep active and busy. I’m pushing 78. At this age, we prepare to head for the departure lounge for our final flight. The boarding gates vary for different people. My departure gate has not been announced yet, maybe the flight is delayed. But I am in no hurry!

4. Recently TNB reduced power tariffs. This “token” reduction is a far cry from what consumers expected. Your view please. – Tony Tan, Sungai Petani

There is nothing much TNB can do as long as there is no revision to the Power Purchase Agreements (PPA).

The IPPs were given favourable terms that cushioned them from many risks, which propelled them from obscurity to great fame and fortune. Business savvy and innovation do not account for their financial success. It is due to the one-sided and lucrative PPAs.

They are now being asked to cut those excesses for consumers’ benefit. If IPPs can make hefty profits, they can give some back to the industry.

5. What is your proudest moment? And what do you remember most – good or bad? – Jack, Johor

I once had to undergo a minor eye surgery and was attended to by a team of doctors – a surgeon and two anaesthetists (in case I needed general anaesthesia). They said that I may not remember them but I was instrumental in helping them pursue their medical studies at the Catholic University of Leuven, Belgium in the 70s. I felt a surge of pride.

The sad moment was when I first reported for duty as chairman/CEO of TNB. A handful of senior staff gave me, literally speaking, a warm welcome. There were placards and demonstrations; effigies were beaten and burnt. There were threats and poison pen letters were distributed to households with their electric bills.

It was really sad. They were senior staff, albeit a handful, who had the finest education and training and yet this was how they chose to communicate.

I was asked to hire bodyguards and was advised by friends to seek the help of “bomohs” to protect me and my family. Unknown to me, the police detailed a police personnel to provide me with round the clock protection.

I had to come to grips with the situation and I knew I had to reach out to whatever spiritual strength I had. It was a test of my faith in the Almighty which saw me through the crisis.

6. You fly planes and ride horses. Do you have other hobbies? – Iris, Ipoh

I started riding as a boy with my Boyanese friends. Their fathers were in charge of the polo horses and we helped groom and exercise the mounts. At the Central Animal Husbandry Station in Kluang, Johor, I sharpened my riding skills.

As a student in New Zealand, I helped out in a riding school at Cashmere Hills during the weekends, teaching young riders how to groom and saddle their mounts. I now do my riding at the TUDM Riding Club whenever I can.

Flying sharpens one’s mental faculties. It motivates me to stay healthy as I need to undergo stringent medical check-ups to keep my licence. It’s a great sport for release from high pressure jobs.

The total immersion it demands helps soak off the cares of the day and, of course, to get the adrenaline pumping. It is satisfying to watch the countryside roll under your wings. It is both powerful yet humbling as the puny efforts of man fade into insignificance.

I do a little gardening – mow the grass, fertilise the trees, shrubs and orchids. We make our own compost from leftovers and kitchen wastes and grass clippings. I also read a lot and write occasionally and surf the Internet.

7. What is your opinion on the mushrooming of blogs in recent years? – Md Nor, Penang

Most dailies have political affiliations and reporting becomes slanted. I take everything on the Internet with a bit of scepticism as they are highly opinionated. Bloggers must set rules and standards for themselves as ethics are involved and they must be accountable to what they write.

8 The country’s political landscape has changed post March 8 election and things have yet to settle down. What is your observation? – Faizul, Perak

For too long, we have backed away from displaying the dark side of our social problems, preferring to sweep them under the carpet. With a multi-racial, cultural and religious mix, we have the ingredients of potential “hotspots”. Social conflicts are inevitable, but if we care to sit down and work them out, there are strategies that can resolve, minimise or divert them before they become unmanageable.

Some of us would rather choose self-denial than grapple with the social problems. But unless we admit they exist, these problems can balloon out of proportions.

9. If you could turn back the clock, what would you do differently? – James, Sarawak

I would have liked to remain in the agricultural sector and promote the integration of ruminants in the plantation sector. When I was in Guthrie Plantation, we raised 20,000 sheep and went about fixing Malaysia’s own breed of sheep. Right then, there was a management change and the project was abandoned. Pity. To this day, 50 years after independence, we still do not have our own breed of cattle, goat or sheep.

10. Have we Malaysians matured as a people, as voters, you think? – Dorairaju, Penang

There is some semblance of accountability and hopefully, transparency with the separation of powers of the judiciary and parliament. Time and again, the electorates have complained about nepotism, cronyism and corruption but they got nothing more than lip service. The electorate, at the last general election, said enough is enough.

Fraud and other malpractices before, during and after the recent elections, were relatively manageable. The army, police and other law enforcement agencies remained neutral. Opposing parties accepted another’s rightful authority. This is political maturity.

Clearly, we have crossed the Rubicon in our politics. The coming change of the guards opens a new and interesting chapter in our politics.

NEXT
Do you have a burning question you’d like to ask high-profile and interesting personalities? Then, this is your chance. Our next interviewee is world-renowned architect CESAR PELLI, who designed Malaysia’s Petronas Twin Towers. He will take your questions all the way from Connecticut, US. E-mail:
10questions@thestar.com.my

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