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MY EMPLOYERS AND CLIENTELLES
A THOUGHT
It’s wonderful to revisit the past, though not every memory is nostalgic some can drain your spirit to live. I find the present while learning valuable lessons from the past (so they’re not repeated), and focus on the future gives me a sense of closure, ownership, even drives me to move forward, and feels truly empowering.
Perhaps it's time to recite this daily mantra - that "enough is enough" - "no more being a victim, I'm retaking control of myself and my life"
Kelantanese, Alumni of Sultan Ismail College Kelantan (SICA), Business Management/Administration, IT Competency Cert, Certified Written English Professional US. Has participated in many seminars/conferences (local/ international) in the capacity of trainer/lecturer and participant.
Affiliations :- Council/Network Member of Gerson Lehrman Group, Institute of Quality Malaysia, Auditor ISO 9000 IRCAUK, Auditor OHSMS (SIRIM and STS) /EMS ISO 14000 and Construction Quality Assessment System CONQUAS, CIDB (Now BCA) Singapore),
* Possesses almost 30 years of experience/hands-on in the multi-modern management & technical disciplines (systems & methodologies) such as Knowledge Management (Hi-Impact Management/ICT Solutions), Quality (TQM/ISO), Safety Health Environment, Civil & Building (Construction), Manufacturing, Motivation & Team Building, HR, Marketing/Branding, Business Process Reengineering, Economy/Stock Market, Contracts/Project Management, Finance & Banking, etc. He was employed to international bluechips involving in national/international megaprojects such as Balfour Beatty Construction/Knight Piesold & Partners UK, MMI Insurance Group Australia, Hazama Corporation (Hazamagumi) Japan (with Mitsubishi Corporation, JA Jones US, MMCE and Ho-Hup) and Sunway Construction Berhad (The Sunway Group of Companies). Among major projects undertaken : Pergau Hydro Electric Project, KLCC Petronas Twin Towers, LRT Tunnelling, KLIA, Petronas Refineries Melaka, Putrajaya Government Complex, Sistem Lingkaran Lebuhraya Kajang (SILK), Mex Highway, KLIA1, KLIA2 etc. Once serviced SMPD Management Consultants as Associate Consultant cum Lecturer for Diploma in Management, Institute of Supervisory Management UK/SMPD JV. Currently – Associate/Visiting Consultants/Facilitators, Advisors/Technical Experts for leading consulting firms (local and international), certification bodies including project management. To name a few – Noma SWO Consult, Amiosh Resources, Timur West Consultant Sdn. Bhd., TIJ Consultants Group (Malaysia and Singapore), QHSEL Consultancy Sdn. Bhd.
He is also currently holding the Position of Principal Consultant/Executive Director (Special Projects) - Systems and Methods, ESG, QHSE at QHSEL Consultancy Sdn. Bhd.* Ex-Resident Weekly Columnist of Utusan Malaysia (1995-1998) and have produced more than 100 articles related to ISO-9000– Management System and Documentation Models, TQM Strategic Management, Occupational Safety and Health (now OHSAS 18000) and Environmental Management Systems ISO 14000. His write-ups/experience has assisted many students/researchers alike in module developments based on competency or academics and completion of many theses. Once commended by the then Chief Secretary to the Government of Malaysia for his diligence in promoting and training the civil services (government sector) based on “Total Quality Management and Quality Management System ISO-9000 in Malaysian Civil Service – Paradigm Shift Scalar for Assessment System”
Among Nik Zafri’s clients : Adabi Consumer Industries Sdn. Bhd, (MRP II, Accounts/Credit Control) The HQ of Royal Customs and Excise Malaysia (ISO 9000), Veterinary Services Dept. Negeri Sembilan (ISO 9000), The Institution of Engineers Malaysia (Aspects of Project Management – KLCC construction), Corporate HQ of RHB (Peter Drucker's MBO/KRA), NEC Semiconductor - Klang Selangor (Productivity Management), Prime Minister’s Department Malaysia (ISO 9000), State Secretarial Office Negeri Sembilan (ISO 9000), Hidrological Department KL (ISO 9000), Asahi Kluang Johor(System Audit, Management/Supervisory Development), Tunku Mahmood (2) Primary School Kluang Johor (ISO 9000), Consortium PANZANA (HSSE 3rd Party Audit), Lecturer for Information Technology Training Centre (ITTC) – Authorised Training Center (ATC) – University of Technology Malaysia (UTM) Kluang Branch Johor, Kluang General Hospital Johor (Management/Supervision Development, Office Technology/Administration, ISO 9000 & Construction Management), Kahang Timur Secondary School Johor (ISO 9000), Sultan Abdul Jalil Secondary School Kluang Johor (Islamic Motivation and Team Building), Guocera Tiles Industries Kluang Johor (EMS ISO 14000), MNE Construction (M) Sdn. Bhd. Kota Tinggi Johor (ISO 9000 – Construction), UITM Shah Alam Selangor (Knowledge Management/Knowledge Based Economy /TQM), Telesystem Electronics/Digico Cable(ODM/OEM for Astro – ISO 9000), Sungai Long Industries Sdn. Bhd. (Bina Puri Group) - ISO 9000 Construction), Secura Security Printing Sdn. Bhd,(ISO 9000 – Security Printing) ROTOL AMS Bumi Sdn. Bhd & ROTOL Architectural Services Sdn. Bhd. (ROTOL Group) – ISO 9000 –Architecture, Bond M & E (KL) Sdn. Bhd. (ISO 9000 – Construction/M & E), Skyline Telco (M) Sdn. Bhd. (Knowledge Management),Technochase Sdn. Bhd JB (ISO 9000 – Construction), Institut Kefahaman Islam Malaysia (IKIM – ISO 9000 & Internal Audit Refresher), Shinryo/Steamline Consortium (Petronas/OGP Power Co-Generation Plant Melaka – Construction Management and Safety, Health, Environment), Hospital Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (Negotiation Skills), Association for Retired Intelligence Operatives of Malaysia (Cyber Security – Arpa/NSFUsenet, Cobit, Till, ISO/IEC ISMS 27000 for Law/Enforcement/Military), T.Yamaichi Corp. (M) Sdn. Bhd. (EMS ISO 14000) LSB Manufacturing Solutions Sdn. Bhd., (Lean Scoreboard (including a full development of System-Software-Application - MSC Malaysia & Six Sigma) PJZ Marine Services Sdn. Bhd., (Safety Management Systems and Internal Audit based on International Marine Organization Standards) UNITAR/UNTEC (Degree in Accountacy – Career Path/Roadmap) Cobrain Holdings Sdn. Bhd.(Managing Construction Safety & Health), Speaker for International Finance & Management Strategy (Closed Conference), Pembinaan Jaya Zira Sdn. Bhd. (ISO 9001:2008-Internal Audit for Construction Industry & Overview of version 2015), Straits Consulting Engineers Sdn. Bhd. (Full Integrated Management System – ISO 9000, OHSAS 18000 (ISO 45000) and EMS ISO 14000 for Civil/Structural/Geotechnical Consulting), Malaysia Management & Science University (MSU – (Managing Business in an Organization), Innoseven Sdn. Bhd. (KVMRT Line 1 MSPR8 – Awareness and Internal Audit (Construction), ISO 9001:2008 and 2015 overview for the Construction Industry), Kemakmuran Sdn. Bhd. (KVMRT Line 1 - Signages/Wayfinding - Project Quality Plan and Construction Method Statement ), Lembaga Tabung Haji - Flood ERP, WNA Consultants - DID/JPS -Flood Risk Assessment and Management Plan - Prelim, Conceptual Design, Interim and Final Report etc., Tunnel Fire Safety - Fire Risk Assessment Report - Design Fire Scenario), Safety, Health and Environmental Management Plans leading construction/property companies/corporations in Malaysia, Timur West Consultant : Business Methodology and System, Information Security Management Systems (ISMS) ISO/IEC 27001:2013 for Majlis Bandaraya Petaling Jaya ISMS/Audit/Risk/ITP Technical Team, MPDT Capital Berhad - ISO 9001: 2015 - Consultancy, Construction, Project Rehabilitation, Desalination (first one in Malaysia to receive certification on trades such as Reverse Osmosis Seawater Desalination and Project Recovery/Rehabilitation), ABAC Centre of Excellence UK (ABMS ISO 37001) Joint Assessment (Technical Expert)
He is also rediscovering long time passions in Artificial Intelligence, ICT and National Security, Urban Intelligence/Smart Cities, Environmental Social and Governance, Solar Energy, Data Centers - BESS, Tiers etc. and how these are being applied.
* Has appeared for 10 consecutive series in “Good Morning Malaysia RTM TV1’ Corporate Talk Segment discussing on ISO 9000/14000 in various industries. For ICT, his inputs garnered from his expertise have successfully led to development of work-process e-enabling systems in the environments of intranet, portal and interactive web design especially for the construction and manufacturing. Some of the end products have won various competitions of innovativeness, quality, continual-improvements and construction industry award at national level. He has also in advisory capacity – involved in development and moderation of websites, portals and e-profiles for mainly corporate and private sectors, public figures etc. He is also one of the recipients for MOSTE Innovation for RFID use in Electronic Toll Collection in Malaysia.
Note :
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ON THE"LABEL" SECTION BELOW (RIGHT SIDE COLUMN), YOU CAN CLICK ON ANY TAG - TO READ ALL ARTICLES ACCORDING TO ITS CATEGORY (E.G. LABEL : CONSTRUCTION)OR GO TO THE VERY END OF THIS BLOG AND CLICK "Older Posts"
When you notice red flags of extreme stress in a friend or family member, you have two choices. You can turn away and pretend nothing happened, or tell yourself that you have problems of your own to handle. Or, with compassion and moral courage, regardless of your own circumstances, you can acknowledge their struggle, reach out, and try to help, including seeking professional support.
There is nothing cliche about genuine emotional distress, especially when the signs point toward suicidal thoughts. I hope we all have the heart to respond when someone is at risk, because ignoring it may mean reacting too late or worse, acting as if it never mattered once it’s gone.
Monday, January 26, 2026
Rethinking the Ringgit: Pegging to Precious Metals, the Renminbi, and Malaysia’s Strategic Role in a Multipolar World - By Nik Zafri
The Malaysian Ringgit (RM) currently operates under a managed floating system with selective intervention, while the US Dollar (USD) dominates global trade and foreign reserves.
With growing instability in the USD rising inflation, national debt, and geopolitical tensions, Malaysia could explore alternative benchmarks for its currency. One proposal is pegging or benchmarking the RM to precious metals such as gold, silver, or platinum, or to the Chinese Renminbi (RMB). Beyond currency considerations, Malaysia’s oil and rare earth resources, along with its geopolitical positioning in BRICS and APEC, could play a strategic role in shaping its economic future.
1.0 Benchmarking RM to Precious Metals
2.0 Benchmarking RM to the Renminbi (RMB)
3.0 Hybrid Approach: Precious Metals + RMB
A basket peg (e.g., 50% gold, 50% RMB) could provide:
Balanced value: Combining intrinsic value from gold with trade alignment from RMB,
Diversified risk: Reduces reliance on a single currency while maintaining credibility.
Challenges:
Requires sophisticated central bank management to maintain peg stability and liquidity,
Complexity in reserve allocation between precious metals and foreign currency.
4.0 Strategic Role of Oil and Rare Earths
Malaysia’s natural resources could support a new RM benchmark:
Oil:
As a net oil exporter, Malaysia earns substantial USD revenue, which can support foreign reserves for a hybrid or metal-backed peg,
Stabilizes domestic fuel pricing under a new benchmark, aiding inflation control.
Rare Earths:
High-value rare earth exports for electronics, EVs, and green technology provide strategic foreign income,
Alignment with RMB trade could reduce FX risk if RM is partially pegged to Renminbi.
Global demand for rare earths strengthens Malaysia’s reserve position, supporting currency stability.
Together, these commodities provide a natural anchor for the Ringgit, offering resilience even amid USD volatility.
5.0 Geopolitical Considerations: BRICS, Troika, and APEC
BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, plus expansion):
Provides trade diversification and alternative financial systems reducing USD dependence,
Malaysia could access BRICS development bank financing and participate in alternative trade settlements,
Strengthened ties give Malaysia more autonomy from Western-dominated financial systems, enhancing strategic leverage.
Troika (EU + US + IMF):
Malaysia must balance engagement with BRICS while maintaining access to global credit markets,
Continued partial USD reserves ensure flexibility and credibility in global finance,
Strategic hedging allows Malaysia to benefit from multipolar systems without full detachment from Western institutions.
APEC (Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation):
Malaysia could act as a bridge between BRICS and traditional USD-aligned economies,
Could promote multipolar currency discussions and alternative payment systems,
Strategic resource exports (oil, rare earths) enhance Malaysia’s bargaining power within APEC.
6.0 Broader Economic Implications
Stability in trade pricing: Reduces reliance on USD fluctuations,
Attraction of alternative investors: RM-linked assets may appeal to investors wary of USD inflation,
Monetary discipline: Precious metal or hybrid benchmarks limit excessive money printing,
Geopolitical flexibility: Strengthens Malaysia’s position in Asia-Pacific while diversifying financial partnerships.
Risks:
Liquidity and reserve management complexities,
Reduced central bank flexibility during recessions or crises,
Market perception challenges if currency benchmarks change suddenly.
Conclusion
Pegging the Ringgit to precious metals, the Renminbi, or a hybrid of both could offer Malaysia greater financial stability, reduced USD dependence, and enhanced geopolitical leverage. Coupled with strategic natural resources like oil and rare earths, Malaysia could strengthen its position in both BRICS and APEC frameworks, potentially acting as a regional bridge between multipolar financial systems. However, careful management is essential to mitigate risks, maintain market confidence, and preserve monetary flexibility in an increasingly complex global economic landscape.
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