SURPRISED and humbled. These were the first words Goh Miah Kiat, CEO of Karex Bhd, uttered after hearing that he had won the prestigious EY Entrepreneur of the Year (EOY) 2016 Malaysia award.

“I am truly humbled by winning this award. It means a lot to my team and me, for all the hard work we have put in,” he said in his acceptance speech at EY’s gala event last Thursday.

Some 600 guests attended the event, including EY’s partners, entrepreneurs and leaders of Corporate Malaysia.

Goh thanked his family for the opportunity to become a part of the family-run business after completing his studies in 1999. At the time, Karex was a small company with an annual turnover of RM7 million and a staff of 60.

Goh is credited with being one of the driving forces behind Karex’s spectacular growth in recent years.

“Through his vision, creativity and determined courage, Goh has grown Karex into the largest condom manufacturer in the world — with a manufacturing capacity of five billion pieces per annum, employing 2,600 people and generating revenue of over RM300 million — in less than 17 years,” EY said in a statement.

Karex, which is listed on the Main Market of Bursa Malaysia, has a market capitalisation of RM2.476 billion.

Goh also won the Master Entrepreneur award and will represent Malaysia to compete against over 60 other country winners for the coveted EY World EOY award at the annual event in Monte Carlo next year.

“It’s a joy to be able to represent Malaysia and, hopefully, bring back the world award,” Goh beamed.

Embodying the spirit of being true to oneself, Goh said he will continue his drive to touch lives around the world in the most “intimate of ways”.

According to Goh, Karex has always dreamt of and planned for having such an impact on the world. “It is a passion, a joy to wake up to just do what I do.”

Ernst & Young Advisory Services Sdn Bhd partner Philip Rao hailed Goh as an exemplary role model who came into the world of enterprise at a young age and grew his family business by leaps and bounds.

“Driven by foresight, innovativeness and an entrepreneurial spirit, Goh has not just helped transform the business but also acted as a

positive influencer and enabler of the industry’s growth opportunities.

“Through its products and services, Karex has improved the health [and] safety of societies across the world, helping to prevent HIV/AIDS and sexually transmitted diseases, besides promoting family planning.

“A true modern entrepreneur, he brings a great sense of purpose and passion to [having] a positive impact on his business, employees, customers and key stakeholders. We have no doubt that Goh will do us proud in Monte Carlo next year,” said Rao, the EOY Malaysia programme director for the 10th year in a row.

Second Finance Minister Datuk Johari Abdul Ghani, who officiated at the ceremony, expressed his delight at being part of the celebration of Malaysia’s leading entrepreneurial figures.

“Entrepreneurs are the lifeblood of our economy and we must leverage the power of modern entrepreneurship to build successful, ethical businesses that uplift society and the environment as a whole.

“We are proud of the achievements and instrumental role of entrepreneurs in our nation’s developmental journey,” Johari said.

He emphasised the need for entrepreneurs to constantly keep up with the trends of globalisation in order to stay competitive.

Datuk Abdul Rauf Rashid, EY managing partner for Malaysia, said that all the 24 top nominees in this year’s EOY Malaysia programme are worthy winners in their own right.

“We are proud and privileged to recognise and showcase their extraordinary journeys and accomplishments, nationally and globally.

“Through their exceptional leadership, tenacity and innovative thinking, they have been asking better questions and creating far-reaching impacts in their effort to help the world work better,” Abdul Rauf said.

This year marks the 15th edition of the EY Entrepreneur of the Year award in Malaysia. It also saw the highest number of top nominees ever recognised in the award’s history in Malaysia.

The 24 top nominees are involved in a variety of fields, including dairy farming and production, fashion and lifestyle, renewable energy and technology solutions.

Apart from Goh, EY also presented awards to three other winners for entrepreneurial excellence in their respective categories. They were S T Rubaneswaran Thevasenabathy, CEO and director of Knowledgecom Corp Sdn Bhd in the emerging entrepreneur category; Edwin Lim Beng Fook, co-founder and chairman of K-One Technology Bhd in the technology entrepreneur category; and Goh Ai Ching, co-founder and CEO of Piktochart Sdn Bhd in the woman entrepreneur category.

Thevasenabathy also expressed great surprise and said he was honoured by the win.

“Hopefully, we will inspire others to follow suit and do good, to build a business and take care of the communities around you — that is the crux of entrepreneurship,” he said after receiving the award.

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