Last week on 23 June 2012 I was awarded the "Malaysian Surveyor of the Year" during the Royal Institution of Surveyors Malaysia annual dinner. The award was presented by our patron HRH Sultan Selangor witnessed by Past Presidents. It felt surreal. My ailing mum was there and she wore her most fancy glittery fuschia kebarung. Thank you to my friend Roznita and BQSM secretariat for the flowers.
Getting an award for doing something that I love is absolutely remarkable. I reminisce on my journey. It started in 1981 when my then boss Dato' Abdul Rahman insisted all his staff become ISM member. I joined most of ISM activities and remember vividly how I organised a fashion show of batikwears during the 1985 CASLE international conference held in KL. Later I was requested to be MC for most of the congresses which I enjoyed as I was able to attend all these for free!! Then I began to be involved in organizing events as committee members and later chairmen of organising committees. And I represented the institution in government agencies and other professional bodies.
These led to other professional involvement in CIDB, PSDC, MATRADE, Bar Council etc and international involvement. My passion on education was further enhanced when I was involved in Universities through the Board of QS Malaysia. I progress in my career and profession and given whatever opportunities - I took it with zest and enthusiasm. I thank Allah swt for all his blessings.
I wished to thank all my mentors, friends, secretariat at RISM and BQSM, and my fellow surveyors for the incredible journey.