Together - Star Media Group 50th Anniversary - The Star
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THE STAR, THURSDAY 11 MARCH 2021 Star Media Group 50th Anniversary
Shaping the nation
together
2 Star Media Group 50th Anniversary THE STAR, THURSDAY 11 MARCH 2021
A future
enriched by
the past
After enriching and enlightening
Malaysians throughout the years,
what’s next for The Star?
FOR over 50 years, The Star has not only served game-changing stories
and hard-hitting news to its readers, it has also brought insightful and
pivotal events and initiatives that enrich and enlighten Malaysians.
During that time, we grew and progressed with the country. In doing
so, we strove to offer only the best to all.
After all these years, here’s a quick look at how far we have come since
the early days.
The brand and musicals as well as sporting
events, serving up a plethora of
Since its inception, The Star as a enriching educational and cultural
brand has expanded its reach, with experiences to the public.
print serving as a powerful medi- Today, while The Star and
um that was accessible to all levels TheStar.com.my continue to stay
of society - from chief executive on the pulse of the nation through
officers of large corporations run- trusted news and commentaries,
ning million-ringgit projects to the brand still carries on its tradi-
retirees in coffee shops enjoying a tion of hosting engaging events.
simple cup of Kopi-C. These include the various
As the publication grew in time, StarLive talks, sporting activities
it found other ways to reach out to such as the #AnakAnakMalaysia
Malaysians. Walk, award programmes such as
With diversification at hand, Star the Star Outstanding Business
Publications embarked on more Awards (SOBA), as well as exhibi-
proactive engagements with one of tions and workshops.
these ways being to hold events The brand has also diversified to
that matter to people. reach younger media savvy audi-
From the long-standing and ences through various media plat-
ongoing Star Education Fair forms in different languages,
launched in 1989, The Star has including online portals, radio sta-
since hosted cheerleading competi- tions and a dedicated entertain- Participants during the flag-off of the #AnakAnakMalaysia Walk at Bukit Bintang City Centre, Kuala Lumpur
tions, tech fairs, motor fairs, plays ment streaming platform. in 2016. — GLENN GUAN/The Star
er emphasis was placed on inte- (SOPA) Awards For Editorial News Publisher of the Year award
grating cutting-edge methods and Excellence to the Putra Brand by R.AGE – The Star’s youth news
technologies in the process of deliv- Awards and Malaysian Press and lifestyle platform – in 2016.
ering content. Institute (MPI) – Petronas In recognition of its investigative
The brand also reaches out Malaysian Journalism Awards, The documentaries, R.AGE also
through various other media in dif- Star remains committed to bring- received two consecutive nomina-
ferent languages, with TheStar. ing its readers even more impact- tions for the Peabody Awards, one
com.my covering fascinating topics ful stories, views and commentar- of the most illustrious awards in
and breaking news online, mStar ies. American media.
and Suria covering interesting facts Among its most notable awards As for the radio platform, Suria’s
and fancies in Bahasa Malaysia include winning the The World DJ Lin bagged the prestigious Most
online and on the airwaves, as well Association of Newspapers
p p and Popular
p Radio Presenter
as Chinese music and topics on News Publishers (Wan Ifra)’s
988. World Young Reader
Today, its dedicated entertain-
ment streaming platform Dimsum
Entertainment offers unlimited
Asian dramas and shows for view-
The look Technological ers who want a dose of entertain-
ment.
The Star evolved from a grass-
advancements On social networks, The Star has
roots newspaper into a multime- As it progresses through time, raked in thousands of followers
dia household brand that people The Star’s easy accessibility has through its Facebook, Twitter and
can access easily for reliable and enabled it to continue touching the Instagram accounts, following the
credible news. lives of its audience. latest news and happenings in
Similarly, the look and style of As technology very quickly Malaysia and abroad.
the paper have also been fre- advanced to become more mobile
quently updated to better reflect with social media gaining more
the changing times. prominence, the technological shift
Accolades and awards
Over the years, The Star has to accommodate and avail those The Star’s rise in the industry is
been on the cutting edge of tech- different platforms saw a flexible exemplified by the accolades,
nology with its printing, producing shift in The Star. awards and recognitions it has
more vivid colours on newsprint It transitioned to unveil Star garnered through the years.
and using different methods to Media Group (SMG), a multimedia It continues to win numerous
inform readers of something truly powerhouse cutting across various prestigious awards for its editorial The R.AGE team pose
special within its pages, such as touchpoints in print, digital, radio, content and photojournalism year with their World Young Reader News Publisher of the Year
stickers, wrap-arounds and wood- as well as events and exhibitions. after year. award in front of the White House in 2016.
2016 The investigative
free paper options. As it explored new ways of meet- From the Asian Media Awards documentary team also received two consecutive nomina-
ing the needs of its audience, great- and Society Of Publishers In Asia tions for the Peabody Awards for their work.
THE STAR, THURSDAY 11 MARCH 2021 Star Media Group 50th Anniversary 3
Award at the Anugerah Bintang the only Malaysian production to
Popular Berita Harian three win at the Maple Leaf Awards
times since 2015, an acknowl- under the Sixth Vancouver
edgement of her talent and con- Chinese Film Festival in Canada
tribution to the industry. for its first ever full-length festive
In February 2018, 988 became flick, A House Of Happiness,
clinching the Best Cantonese Film
accolade.
DJ Lin with the
prestigious Most
Popular Radio
A ccelebration in
Presenter toggetherness
Award As a national daily that began
A
as “The
“ People’s Paper”, The Star
hass not only showcased but is From afar, a drone camera captures the amazing sea of participants att
o deeply entrenched in cele-
also the start of Penang Starwalk 2016 at Penang Times Square. CHAN
ating the Malaysian spirit dur-
bra
BOON KAI/The Star
ing festive seasons and in times of
harrdship. store, it will be faced together as a ed Malaysians from all walks of
Through various unity and
T nation. life, converging in a walk that
nation-building campaigns and Some flagship programmes promotes unity and understand-
eveents, The Star has been rallying under The Star’s banner that aim ing among Malaysians.
the nation to solidify the love for to bring society together include
ur tanahair and our fellow
ou the long-standing StarWalk Making a positive
countrymen. Penang, which debuted back in
This serves as a reminder 1978 and the PJ Half Marathon. difference
that whatever successes and More recently, the popular As a citizen watchdog, The
challenges the future has in #AnakAnakMalaysia Walk attract- Star is very much aware and
Over the years, The Star has held many popular events,
including (clockwise from top left) Mamma Mia! The
Smash Hit Musical, cheerleading competition CHEER and
musical extravaganza Mystical Steppes: Along the Silk
Road.
attuned to the challenges faced Programme that funds life-chang- on The Star’s agenda and it has
by vulnerable and marginalised ing surgeries for needy children been an advocate for literacy
communities.
It recognised that it was in a
and the Star Golden Hearts Award
that recognises the local unsung
among Malaysians.
Using its unique position, The
Setting
position where it is able to extend
assistance that may contribute to
heroes who have made Malaysia a
better place.
Star has been able to offer access
to quality education through dif-
sights on a
the improvement in quality of life
for many Malaysians.
During the pandemic in 2020,
The Star ran the Star Frontliners
ferent programmes and initia-
tives.
brighter
Through Star Foundation, its
charitable arm, it raises, receives
Initiative, rallying the nation to
support frontliners by raising and
Through the Star Education
Fund, The Star has helped many future
and administers funds for various contributing funds to provide deserving students from across
social causes. much-needed medical supplies to Malaysia go through tertiary edu-
SMG still has much
Its other social initiatives medical facilities nationwide. cation and open their pathways
include the Medical Fund Education has been a mainstay for a bright future. to offer Malaysians –
not just in print, but
also in its extensive
offerings in new
media.
Winners of the With the coming of
2015 Star the Industrial
Golden Hearts Revolution 4.0, SMG
Awards cele- looks forward to
brate their win, integrating the right
holding up technological tools
their awards that will help propel it
and certifi- forward in its quest to
cates.
provide audiences a
— AZHAR
MAHFOF/The wider choice for
Star information,
inspiration and
innovation.
4 Star Media Group 50th Anniversary THE STAR, THURSDAY 11 MARCH 2021
Growing
together
with the nation
Shaping the growth of The Star’s crea-
tor, KS Choong,
a leading Malaysian In January 1974, The Star called No. 15, Pitt
was the paper’s
first managing The first issue of The Star
appeared on Sept 9, 1971. An
news giant. Street (now Jalan Masjid Kapitan Keling) home,
before going national and moving to the Klang
director and edi-
tor-in-chief. estimated 15,000 copies were sold that
day at 15 sen each.
Valley two years later.
SINCE 1971, The Star has brought Malaysia form role by launching mStar and acquiring 2020s... an era
and its citizens a wealth of immersive stories Suria, along with 988, reaching out to a more in the making
and impactful events. diversified audience.
For our anniversary, we look back on the On Jan 4, 2009, The Star offered more When faced with the era that marked the
milestones that have helped shape a small ways to interact with audiences through The Covid-19 pandemic, SMG and Star
provincial newspaper into one of Malaysia’s Star ePaper, SMS News Alerts and a podcast- Foundation launched the Star Frontliners
leading English news sources today. ing service for mobile users. Initiative to support the nation’s healthcare
We will also take a retrospective look at professionals by purchasing medical sup-
where we were then and where we are now. plies for hospitals and medical staff.
The past 50 years have been amazing, but
The disruptive 2010s SMG has also been included as one of the
the best is yet to come. The Internet’s ubiquity ensured that near- six new additions to the constituents of the
ly everyone is connected through the prolif- FTSE4Good Bursa Malaysia Index (F4GBM).
eration of smartphones, trending a shift in
The tumultuous 1970s how we communicate.
The decade was riddled with political Doing business became more challenging
Network for greatness
instability and economic strife: the Middle and to recognise achievers, the decade start- Over the 50 years that have seen our
East oil crisis and ongoing wars that raged ed with the launch of The Star Outstanding growth from a small regional newspaper
on in parts of the world provided rich con- Business Awards (SOBA). into a multimedia conglomerate, we have
tent as Malaysia began to find its footing on Meanwhile the publication coalesced as also built valuable partnerships with other
the global stage. Star Media Group (SMG) and reached out to industry players.
The Star debuted as a regional, “made-in- the community at the grassroots, through These leaders carry important brands that
Penang” daily, perfect for inspiring future social initiatives such as Star Foundation fuel the nation’s economy, with our partner-
generations. and the Star Golden Hearts Award. ships bringing positive impact to the com-
It was the brainchild of KS Choong, who As a multimedia powerhouse, the group munity and the economy as a whole.
became the paper’s first managing director now cuts across various touchpoints in print, It is through these collaborative engage-
and editor-in-chief of “North Malaysia’s digital, radio and events and exhibitions. ments that have forged a network that SMG
Bright New Daily”. SMG chief content officer Esther Ng was It soon introduced dedicated entertain- can leverage to produce more engaging sto-
The first issue hit newsstands on Sept 9, the first Malaysian woman to join the World ment streaming platform, Dimsum ries and relevant activities that will bring
1971 and three years later, in January 1974, Editors Forum advisory board. Entertainment. greater progress for the people and nation.
the paper called No. 15, Pitt Street (now Throughout this period, the ascent of In the pages to come, SMG shares the sto-
known as Jalan Masjid Kapitan Keling) women in leadership roles in media contin- ries of some of its partners - such as Amway
home. By May, it published its first coloured The prosperous 1990s ued as SMG chief content officer Esther Ng Malaysia, Milo, Tropicana Corporation and
front page. The overall relatively peaceful and pros- became the first Malaysian woman to join Volvo - that have made their mark as they
Later, The Star published its first national perous decade was marked by the Berlin the World Editors Forum advisory board. grew together with the nation.
edition on Jan 3, 1976 and marked the occa- Wall collapse and dissolution of the Cold
sion by relocating its headquarters to a rent- War, technological advances and further glo o-
ed unit in Brickfields, Kuala Lumpur. balisation.
By June 1995, The Star officially placed
itself on the Internet as Malaysia’s first new
ws
The iconic 1980s website, TheStar.com.my, giving readers a
In an era that saw the rise of consumerism new avenue to access news.
and globalisation, the Cold War headed Three months later, the publication listedd
towards its final stage with rising tension. on the KL Stock Exchange (now Bursa
Locally, the Malaysian economy began Malaysia) with a public issue of over
catching up with the rest of the world, with 27,000mil shares valued at RM3.10 per
the birth of the Internet sparking a techno- share.
logical revolution within the country. Great strides were made as The Star’s verry
By this time, Kuntum went into publica- own Datuk Ng Poh Tip became the first
tion, aimed at educating and entertaining woman to become group chief editor in
Malaysian children – the only children’s Malaysia – an achievement maintained
education magazine to be endorsed by the today with Esther Ng helming the editorial
Ministry of Education to this day. team.
It moved to its own premises at Section 13, As the decade closed, The Star joined the
Petaling Jaya and marked the occasion with ranks of prestigious Asian media icons and
higher printing capacity, computerising edi- global platforms as an Asia News Network
torial, as well as advertising and accounting member.
operations.
However, by late 1987, political tensions
prompted the Malaysian Government to
The advancing 2000s
launch Ops Lalang, which had The Star’s Throughout the 2000s, technology pro-
licence revoked and publication suspended gressed with new ways of communicating
for six months. using mobile phones and laptops becom-
When this ban was lifted on Mar 26, 1988 ing more accessible to the public.
and printing resumed, “The People’s Paper” This opened up exciting prospects that
introduced new sections to engage readers. helped form the Star Mobile News
By February the following year, it Services and mobile portal, even a portal
launched the first Star Education Fair at the for the young and hip called The Daily
Dewan Tunku Canselor, Universiti Malaya Chilli.
with more than 30 local and international A day after its 2001 anniversary, the com--
educational institutions. pany shifted permanently to Menara Star in n A new frontier:
Held over three days, it was the largest Section 16, Petaling Jaya and printing operaa- Senior management from The Star,
education fair in the country and remains so tions began anew on Jan 16, 2002 at the including (from left) general manager Koh Beng Huat, information
today, offering students study options that state-of-the-art The Star Media Hub in Bukit technology servicers senior manager Khoo Khay Heong, group chief editor Ng Poh Tip,
are both broad and specialised. Jelutong, Shah Alam. managing director Steven Tan, regional director Datuk Kamal Hashim and In-tech editor
It assumed a multilingual and multi-plat- Davin Arul view the electronic version The Star launched on the Internet.
THE STAR, THURSDAY 11 MARCH 2021 Star50 partner: Milo 5
Energising
goodness
through the ages
Milo has been a source of energy
and nutrition for families through
the generations.
THE first day of school has always brands and a quintessential part of shoes, new school bag, new station-
been a key milestone for families. the Malaysian breakfast table. Go ery and books with thick brown
Parents take pictures of their kids through the pantry of any house- wrapping paper.”
on the first day for posterity’s sake hold and you’re bound to find the When she got a child of her own
and enjoy looking back at what famous green packet or tin in there in the 1990s, Ooi continued many
changes have taken place through somewhere! of the customs and traditions with
the years. Made from the goodness of malt which her parents had brought her
Due to the movement control barley, milk and cocoa with only up.
order last year, students in about one teaspoon of added sugar Ooi says that while there was a
Malaysia only attended school in (sucrose) - and packed with essen- 30-year gap between her school
person for about five to six months tial vitamins and minerals that days and her daughter’s, there wer-
in 2020. Thus, the beginning of the help release energy from food - en’t many differences in terms of
new school year in March this year each cup of Milo pairs perfectly how much energy they needed as
must have been exciting for these with a balanced breakfast to give kids.
children who have not been to you and your family the energy to “We always tried to have bal-
physical school since November kickstart your day. anced meals and stuck to routines.
because of the spread of Covid-19. So, it’s no wonder that families We were then a middle-income
Indeed, the new norms have continue to trust the brand. family, a single mother and daugh-
changed our lifestyles in many “As far back as my memory can ter and we did not have the luxury
ways. carry me, I remember my earliest of paying much attention to food
But those who grew up in the breakfast experience being a mug nutrition! But Milo was our go-to For most Malaysians, one of their fondest school memories would be
1970s and 80s would remember of Milo,” says 50-something musi- nutritious beverage that provided lining up at Milo trucks to savour the malt-chocolatey goodness of the
how they took packed lunches to cian Imee Ooi, who grew up in energy, without us even knowing beverage.
school in little food containers or Taiping, Perak. Back in the 70s, it!”
tiffins and had large tumblers full during my primary school days, Both mum and daughter (who is cups a day, one in the morning and super stressed about online lessons,
of their favourite drink – the staple going back to school was as excit- now in her mid-20s) continue to be one during tea time,” she recalls, coping with school work while
for many would have been Milo. ing as celebrating the Chinese New big Milo fans even today. Ooi says: adding that all she had to do was working from home and just
There’s no denying that Milo has Year. My parents would prepare us “Milo is a ‘must’ in our kitchen, add hot milk to the Milo powder adjusting to the new norms. School
nourished generations of with a new set of uniform, new synonymous to rice or water! We and it was ready for consumption. life is definitely not the same from
Malaysians, many ny from as early as drink Milo in tthe morning, of Annamma’s daughter Liz, who is our day!” she sighs.
their first day at school! course and an nother cup later in the in her late 50s and has three chil- Indeed, maintaining the kids’
Fast forward to o 2021 and kids day, hot or iced.” dren herself, seconds her mum say- energy levels, while they are stuck
still love their Miilo, what more Grandmother Annamma ing: “It must have been good at home and going for online class-
mums and dads who w grew up Thomas, 79, re emembers Milo as not because I still drink it today and so es, has become vital these days and
on the malt-choccolatey good- us drink when her
just a nutritiou do my children!” Milo is often a saving grace because
ness of the beverrage, who now were growing up in
children w Liz says that her best Milo mem- it helps to keep them going.
join them in enjo oying the Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur, ories are the times when the Milo For teacher Sheela Kuruvilla, 52,
drink every day. buut also as a delicious truck pulled up in school. ‘’We going back to school wasn’t that
Ever since it was
w one!
o would all line up excitedly to get a much of a big deal growing up in
introduced in ‘’All my children cup of the deliciously cold Milo!” Petaling Jaya, Selangor. With her
Malaysia in the liked it. They would Her brother Tom agrees. “Milo daughters (just out of college), she
1950s, Milo has have at least two truck was the best!” he says, recall- remembers going to buy new uni-
won the hearts of o ing also that he was given an allow- forms, shoes, socks and and lining
Malaysians acrosss The love for Milo ance for canteen food. “But some- up at the school bookstore to buy
all generations. It
I is cuts across all times if I had to stay back for textbooks, after which she would
one of those welll- generations of sports, then mum would prepare a wrap and write names on them
loved household Malaysians. sandwich and Milo too.” with her daughters.
Nurse Syaza Md Razak, 29, says For teacher Sheela Kuruvilla, 52,
she usually gives her daughter Milo going back to school wasn’t that
before an outing so she has extra much of a big deal growing up in
energy for the day’s activities. Petaling Jaya, Selangor. With her
“I have been drinking Milo since daughters (just out of college), she
I was a little girl and it was always remembers the back-to-school rou-
my favourite drink. When I was tine, where Milo was an important
pregnant, I would drink Milo every part of their lives back then.
day, otherwise I would feel like I Sheela says that her kids got Milo
didn’t have enough energy! Milo for breakfast every morning before
always played a big role in my fam- heading out to school. ‘’They left so
ily. early that there was no appetite for
“I think Milo was also particular- food, so it was mainly a glass of
ly important for us as kids because Milo before they hopped on the
we didn’t like to have heavy break- school bus. And that sustained
fast so early in the morning. Milo them till recess!
was an efficient option, our go-to Then for recess they would get a
breakfast drink of choice!” sandwich or simple finger food
Syaza remembers preparing to with another packet of Milo. It was
go back to school while growing very much a part of their schooling
up. “Today, many parents buy lives!”
everything online as it is more cost Though times have changed,
efficient and saves time,” she says, Malaysians’ love of Milo continues
adding that with the MCO, it’s also to grow, as does Milo’s own com-
probably the safer option as well. mitment to nourishing the nation
“Many of my friends, whose chil- with the goodness of the energy of
dren are already in school, are Milo.
6 THE STAR, THURSDAY 11 MARCH 2021
THE STAR, THURSDAY 11 MARCH 2021 7
8 THE STAR, THURSDAY 11 MARCH 2021
THE STAR, THURSDAY 11 MARCH 2021 9
10 Star50 partner: Volvo THE STAR, THURSDAY 11 MARCH 2021
Blazing a trail
of evolution
Whether then or now, be it the classic Volvo 760
GLE of yesteryear or today’s sleek S90, you know
you’ve got a car that’s at the forefront of
technology, style, sustainability and safety.
THE Volvo Group originated in 1927 when the interior a spacious feeling which was also tige-builder par excellence for Volvo Car including City Safety, Pilot Assist, Adaptive
the first Volvo car rolled off the production very comfortable. And above all, the car had Corporation for almost a decade. Cruise Control, BLIS with steer assist, Cross
line at the factory in Gothenburg, Sweden. real character. Traffic Alert with auto brake, Orrefors crys-
Only 280 cars were built that year. Since It soon proved to be the right choice. The tal gear lever with illumination, Apple car
then, Volvo (which is Latin for “I roll”) has Volvo boxiness was a hit and soon turned
Luxurious choice play and Android auto, 360° surround view
been a world-leader in safety technology and into a hallmark. In the spring of 1978, the “The 760 was the flagship during its time camera, Bowers & Wilkins Premium Sound
innovation. first driveable prototype was ready and and similarly, S90 plays that role at this Audio System and Nappa leather comfort
Today, it is one of the most well-known many more test vehicles were quickly moment. The Volvo Cars design dur- seat.
and respected car brands in the world with finished. ing that period is known for its The S90 is powered by Volvo’s Drive-E
sales in 100 countries. Volvo Cars sells premi- In 1979, the Volvo AB car sharp edges and ‘boxy’ pro- powertrains, including petrol and diesel var-
um-segment car models in three segments: division was turned into its portions. The design lan- iants, as well as Volvo’s T8 Twin Engine, a
sedans (S60, S90), versatile estates (V60, V90) own company - Volvo Car guage has changed tre- petrol plug-in hybrid mated to an 8-speed
and SUVs (XC40, XC60, XC90). Corporation - with Håkan mendously and is totally automatic transmission.
Frisinger as its first CEO different now,” says Volvo’s T8 Twin Engine delivers all the
and in 1980 an interest- Nalin Jain, Managing benefits of a high performance, low emission
Hit rewind ing concept car was Director of Volvo Car petrol engine with an electric motor that
In 1982, Volvo entered the small group of shown which hinted Malaysia. delivers power on demand with ultralow
manufacturers of prestige vehicles with supe- more than just a little bit “Then, and now, the CO2 emissions and more than 40km of pure
rior comfort and high performance levels. about what was coming foundation of Volvo Cars electric range.
The Volvo 760 GLE was launched in a year later. The Volvo design is rooted in its “Volvo is a human-centric automotive
February 1982. Seen as elegant and exciting Concept Car was an Scandinavian heritage, brand with a strong safety and sustainability
with its characteristic design, the 760 was updated version of which focuses on elegant heritage. ‘Omtanke’, which means caring,
well received, and became the car that actu- Wilsgaard’s cut-back which lines and crafted with preci- consideration or to think again, is the value
ally saved Volvo Car Corporation and paved was the real design inspiration sion and attention to detail.” that is built-in and is part of our character,”
the way to the modern company of today. of the 760. Although shorter at The S90 is Volvo’s premium Nalin, who was appointed to helm Volvo Car
When the first plans for the new car were the back than the 760 was to 4-door, 5-seat flagship sedan Malaysia in March 2019, taking over from
Volvo’s new purpose
drawn up in the mid 1970s, the automotive be, it was almost identical. today. It is built on the Scalable Lennart Stegland.
is ‘freedom to move
industry was experiencing a lot of difficulties. Volvo finally presented the Product Architecture (SPA),
The oil crisis had just passed and at Volvo, 760 in February 1982. It was an in a personal, Volvo’s advanced modular
problems were rising regarding the build elegant car with a completely sustainable and safe vehicle platform that under-
Safety first
quality of the new Volvo 200-series, and there new and unconventional way’, says Nalin. pins all Volvo cars in the 90 Volvo’s leadership in the field of automo-
was a need for a new large volume-seller for design, pleasant to drive, com- and 60 Series launched in tive safety is confirmed in the S90. The SPA
the new decade – a car that would meet the fortable and offered with three recent years. platform has resulted in the strongest Volvo
continuing demands for fuel efficiency, different choices of engine: a four-cylinder Like its siblings XC90 and V90, the S90 car- cars to date because of extensive use of
exhaust emission control and safety. It was turbo, the V6 now bored out to 2.8 litres and ries the proud and confident face of Volvo’s boron steel, as well as numerous safety sys-
difficult to foresee what kind of car custom- the Volkswagen-built but Volvo speci- design language, along with classic tems designed to protect people inside and
ers of the new decade, the 1980s, would fied in line-six D24 turbodiesel. Volvo styling cues. Key features outside the car.
want. When fitted with this engine, include the iconic “Thor’s Volvo’s City Safety technology, standard on
The 760 was conceived in a time when the 760 was the quickest Hammer” LED headlight all Volvo models, combines automatic brak-
conditions changed almost daily and there diesel car off the mark in design, the new grille and ing functionality and collision avoidance sys-
was no Internet to broaden the views! But the world at the time. Volvo Iron Mark, and tems to cover a range of potential accident
Volvo made use of the best possible tool avail- The Volvo 760 the expressive use of scenarios and help keep you safe. City Safety
able – thorough analysis. What was impor- became a turning the Volvo word mark is the only system in the market that detects
tant was reliability, fuel efficiency, longevity, point for Volvo Car on the rear. pedestrians, cyclists and large animals.
serviceability, low noise levels, design and Corporation, product In the cabin, Volvo According to Nalin, the two founding
performance. wise and financially, has taken cues from fathers, Assar Gabrielsson and Gustav
It was decided that a rear-wheel drive and formed the basis the clean, Larson stated in 1927, “Cars are driven by
should be employed, that the wheelbase for the continuation Scandinavian interior people. The guiding principle behind
should be 10cm longer than that of the 240. of the company. design of its XC90 everything we make at Volvo, therefore, is
The car was also to be somewhat shorter Without the 760 there model and raised the and must remain, ‘safety’.
than the 240 but have the same width and be would not have been bar with new details on “Safety has been the core foundation of
100kg lighter! the 850, S80 and so on. It the dashboard and instru- the brand right from when it started. This
There were many design proposals wasn’t until 1998 that pro- ment panel, including new gives Volvo Cars an edge compared against
to consider for the exterior design. duction ended with the V90, air blades that stand vertically its competitors, and even now Volvo Cars
Most of them were sedans but Volvo’s the last Volvo car with its roots in on each side of the Sensus user remains at the forefront of new safety inno-
head of design, Jan Wilsgaard, was 760 technologies. interface. vation,” he shares.
more into a hatchback. In the end, In total, 221,309 units of the 760 were According to Nalin, the S90 exudes with “The guiding principle remains at our
the result was a sedan with an made before it was replaced in the autumn luxury in everything from design to seg- core, but we have also defined a new compa-
almost vertical rear screen and boxy of 1990 by the more modern 960. By then, the ment-leading features, many of which are ny purpose, ‘Freedom to move in a personal,
rear section. The straight sides lent 760 had been a profit-maker and pres- not even available in most of the competitors sustainable and safe way’.”
The S90 is Volvo’s flagship,
a premium 4-door, 5-seat
flagship sedan.THE STAR, THURSDAY 11 MARCH 2021 Star50 partner: Amway Malaysia 11
Journeyingg
through the years with
Amway
Amway Malaysia has helped everyone
live better and healthier lives since 1976.
MENTION the brand Amway and you’d be ments over the years with its offering of rate social responsibility and community
hard-pressed to find any Malaysian who over 450 products in health and wellness, outreach programmes, which focuses on
doesn’t recognise it. beauty, personal care, home care and home helping solve global as well as local chal-
And for good reason, too: For more than tech categories. lenges.
40 years, Amway and its portfolio of quality Throughout it all, Amway remains stead- Among the many initiatives, (i) Amway’s
products have become an inseparable part fast to its tagline to ‘Help people live better Nutrilite Power of Five Campaign addresses
of Malaysian lives. and healthier lives!’ via its social network- early childhood malnutrition around the
Growing from strength to
ing business opportunity concept that
focuses on engaged communities of pas-
world, (ii) Amway Friends of the
Community involves ABOs and Amway THE WORLD’S #1*
sionate people – together with its six endur- employees volunteer to help Malaysian chil- selling vitamins and dietary supplements brand.
strength ing values of partnership, integrity, person- dren in need, Rumah Tunas Harapan *Euromonitor International Limited
Amway Malaysia’s humble beginnings al worth, personal responsibility, achieve- helped build local foster homes and (iv)
started when Jay Van Andel and Rich DeVos ment and free enterprise. Projek HeadSTART is a programme to help
identified the country as a viable market for Over the years, Amway Malaysia has young adults transition to working life and
Amway, paving the way for Malaysia to helped empower communities to strength- become productive members of society. Healthy Living megatrend, prevention,
become one of the pioneer Amway affiliates en their sources of income and uplift their During the Covid-19 pandemic, Amway product innovation, personalisation, natural
in the Southeast Asian region. standards of living, as it believes in helping Malaysia worked with the Malaysian ingredients, superfoods, food/beverage
Among the first to introduce the idea of people unleash their true potential to start Government, Ministry of Health and alternatives and influencers will be the key
direct selling, social commerce and entre- a business for themselves with Amway’s University Malaysia Medical Centre to help themes to ensure the specific needs and
preneurial business ownership in Malaysia, support and backing, as well as its world- frontliners, public hospitals and shelter wants of our diverse range of consumers
Amway kicked off with a small operation class products and services. homes through donations of its award-win- are taken care of, particularly amidst uncer-
consisting five employees at Jalan Ipoh circa To keep current with the times, the com- ning air purifiers as well purchases of tain and turbulent times.
1976. By 1980, Amway Malaysia established pany has constantly modernized its infra- Covid-19 test kits. According to Duong, “Consumers want
its first regional distribution centre in structure and services, most notably its Most recently, Amway Malaysia collabo- assurances and have the right to know
Butterworth and had launched its first recent launch of an enhanced order man- rated with the Social Welfare Department where their products come from, this
Nutrilite product, the Family Pack. agement system to enable seamless mobili- (JKM) to provide food aid and immunity includes supplement and vitamins. Our
From there, Amway grew from strength ty and home delivery capabilities to grow boosting supplements to impacted commu- objective is to give consumers peace of
to strength with an unerring focus on build- sustainable business. nities. Amway also empowered these com- mind to track their products along the sup-
ing up the business and its product offer- This push towards digital platforms & munities with entrepreneurship awareness ply chain, every step of the way.”
ings, as well as establishing itself as a recog- tools has proven fortuitous during the pan- with the hope to inspire families in need of All the ingredients it uses in its products
nised brand name in Malaysia. demic, enabling Amway Business Owners income opportunities. are grown, harvested and processed on
(ABOs) to quickly adapt to the new norms over 6,000 acres of certified organic farm-
Rapid growth and help them migrate offline communities A trusted health, wellness and land through sustainable, chemical-free
online for greater engagement despite the farming methods, which then undergo
Fast forward, Amway Malaysia celebrated movement restrictions. entrepreneurship brand extensive research, testing, and formulation
its 20th anniversary by rapidly growing its According to Mike Duong, managing Staying true to its values, Amway before being made available in the market.
business further, expanding its health and director of Amway Malaysia, Singapore and Malaysia has a clear vision for the future: to This is just one of the ways Amway
wellness offerings and becoming a public Brunei, “Amway’s purpose, values and empower entrepreneurship, especially in believes it can continue helping more and
listed company on the Main Board of Bursa founders’ fundamentals remain the same, communities, via social commerce. Moving more Malaysians enhance their health and
Malaysia. we recognise that ABOs and consumer forward, Amway has put in motion strate- wellness to live their best lives.
During the dot-com era, adapting to needs have dramatically changed. gies to improve the efficiency of its offer- “For over 45 years, Amway has woven its
changing trends and consumer behaviour, “We are committed to unleashing entre- ings and operations, particularly on the dig- way into the fabric of Malaysia and
Amway Malaysia was among the pioneers preneurship and must rise to meet the ital front. Malaysian lives. We have helped to provide
to bring direct selling online, with its then need. Our focus is to help ABOs transition This effort includes continuously innovat- millions of Malaysian citizens with award
ground-breaking amway2u.com (now from traditional face to face interactions ing Amway’s digital offerings to meet the winning products for better health, cleaner
amway.my) going live to enable online towards building meaningful online com- ever-evolving customer expectations, meet- homes, fresher air and clean water, healthi-
transactions 24 hours a day, seven days a munities and social selling.” ing the needs of dynamically growing er younger looking skin and unparallelled
week. Amway continues to build up and health-conscious consumers, and providing business ownership opportunity.
Taking a humanised approach towards improve the welfare and livelihood of meaningful and relevant business opportu- “We look forward to celebrating our 50th
sustainability - be it in its products, busi- M l i communities.
Malaysian iti it ffor gig
nity i social-economy
i l ki g entre-
seeking anniversary and beyond, but most impor-
ness, or its projects for the people - Amway Thhis can be seen preneurs. tantly, we are dedicated to helping everyone
Malaysia continues to make rapid improve- th
hrough their corpo- Amway works to capitalise on thet live better and healthier lives,” said Duong.
Jay Van Andel and Rich DeVos founded For more than 40 years, Amway and its portfolio of quality products have Amway recently celebrated its 60th anniversary since it
Amway more than 60 years ago. become an inseparable part of Malaysian lives. was established, with a special A60 event in Las Vegas.12 THE STAR, THURSDAY 11 MARCH 2021
THE STAR, THURSDAY 11 MARCH 2021 13
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16 Star50 partner: Tropicana Corporation THE STAR, THURSDAY 11 MARCH 2021
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