Over 65 entrepreneurs honoured at Bumiputera Business Excellence Awards 2021

KUALA LUMPUR: More than 65 local Bumiputera entrepreneurs, businesses and brands from various industries were honoured at the Bumiputera Business Excellence Awards (BBEA) 2021 for their business innovation and achievements.

BBEA 2021 chairman Shahir Adnan said the awards were a breakthrough for the local Bumiputera business ecosystem as it took a holistic approach in recognising all Bumiputeraowned businesses regardless of size, scale or industry.

“The past couple of years have been significantly challenging, more so for the local Bumiputera entrepreneurs and business owners who were hard-hit by the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.

“Personally, I have had the privilege of meeting many of the Bumiputera entrepreneurs in our country and I am always inspired by their resilience, their courage to take risks, and their incredible talent and hunger to succeed,” he said in a statement.

Shahir said the event theme of “Championing Excellence, Celebrating Togetherness” resonated well with many in the Bumiputera business ecosystem who have showcased incredible dedication and perseverance to succeed as entrepreneurs despite the turbulent economic climate.

The event was officiated by Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Minister Tan Sri Noh Omar.

The premier award programme saw the participation of celebrity entrepreneurs such as Datuk Seri Siti Nurhaliza and Datuk Redzuawan Ismail, better known as Chef Wan, who were awarded for their entrepreneurial excellence in the health and beauty and culinary segments, respectively.

The event also recognised the various corporate social responsibility and social impact work done by corporates in the past year through a dedicated award category for ‘Excellence in CSR’, which were won by Bank Rakyat, KPJ Healthcare and Ronald McDonalds Charities Malaysia.

The hallmark individual award for the corporate industry - ‘Corporate Personality of the Year’ - was clinched by McDonald’s Malaysia managing director and local operating partner Azmir Jaafar, who received the accolade for his outstanding work in driving growth, success and transforming the McDonald’s Malaysia brand into one of Malaysia’s favourite fast-food chains.