FROM THE WHITE HOUSE - 12 SEPTEMBER, 2017

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

Photo Source : New York Times

For Immediate Release

September 12, 2017

Remarks by President Trump and Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak of Malaysia Before Bilateral Meeting

Cabinet Room

12:11 P.M. EDT

PRESIDENT TRUMP:  Thank you very much.  It’s great to have the Prime Minister of Malaysia and his very distinguished delegation with us today.  We’re talking about trade -- very large trade deals.  We’re working on one deal where between 10 and 20 billion dollars’ worth of Boeing jets are going to be purchased, General Electric engines will be purchased, and many other things.  

Also, Malaysia is a massive investor in the United States in the form of stocks and bonds, and the stock exchange.  And they have to be very happy because we’re hitting new highs on almost a weekly basis.  And so we’re very proud of our stock market and what’s happened since I became President.  So I congratulate you on those investments.

But I just want to say, it’s an honor to have you here.  It’s an honor to have your delegation with us.  I believe you’ll be at the United Nations next week, and a lot of folks are going to be at the United Nations next week.  It should be an exciting week, and we look very much forward to that.

But I want to thank you very much for all of the investment you’ve made in the United States.  Also, the Prime Minister has a major role in not allowing ISIS -- or, as you say, Daesh -- and others to exist.  And he’s been very, very strong on terrorism in Malaysia, and a great supporter from that standpoint.  So that’s a very important thing to the United States.

He does not do business with North Korea any longer, and we find that to be very important.  We had a vote yesterday on sanctions.  We think it’s just another very small step -- not a big deal.  Rex and I were just discussing -- not big.  I don’t know if it has any impact, but certainly it was nice to get a 15-to-nothing vote.  But those sanctions are nothing compared to what ultimately will have to happen.

So thank you everyone for being here, and we appreciate it.  Mr. Prime Minister, it’s a great honor to have you in the United States and in the White House.  And thank you everyone for being here.  Thank you very much.  Thank you.

Would you like to say something?

PRIME MINISTER RAZAK:  Thank you very much, Mr. President, for your invitation for me and members of my delegation to meet with you at the White House.  I want to say that we come here with a strong value proposition to put on the table.

Number one, we want to help you in terms of strengthening the U.S. economy.  I come with three specific proposals.  Number one, we intend to increase the number of Boeing planes to be purchased by MAS.  We are committed to 25 planes of the 737 MAX 10, plus eight 787 Dreamliners.  And there is a strong probability -- not possibility – probability that we will add 25 more 737 MAX 10 in the near future.  So within five years, the deal will be worth beyond $10 billion.  That’s one.  We will also try to persuade AirAsia to purchase GE engines.

PRESIDENT TRUMP:  Great.

PRIME MINISTER RAZAK:  Secondly, we have Employees Provident Fund, which is a major pension fund in Malaysia.  They’ve got quite a big sum of capital to be exported.  They have invested close to $7 billion, in terms of equity, in the United States.  And they intend to invest three to four additional billion dollars to support your infrastructure redevelopment in the United States.

PRESIDENT TRUMP:  Great.

PRIME MINISTER RAZAK:  And thirdly, our sovereign fund, Khazanah, they have an office in Silicon Valley.  They have invested about $400 million, in terms of high-tech companies, and they intend to increase that investment as well.

Secondly, the other goal of your administration, Mr. President, which is to make the United States safe -- and with that, the world safe -- we are committed to fight Daesh, IS, Al-Qaeda, Abu Sayyaf -- you name it.  They are the enemy of the United States, they are also the enemy of Malaysia, and we will do our part to make sure that our part of the world is safe.

We will also contribute in terms of the ideological warfare because you need to win the hearts and minds.  And the key to it is to support moderate and progressive Muslim regimes and governments around the world, because that is the true face of Islam; that is the authentic face of Islam.  The more you align with progressive and moderate regimes, the better it would be in terms of winning the hearts and minds of the Muslim world.

PRESIDENT TRUMP:  Right.

PRIME MINISTER RAZAK:  So, Mr. President, thank you once again.  The United States has always been our partner for a long, long time.  And this year is our 60th anniversary of our relationship, and I hope that today’s meeting will make it even stronger in the years to come.

PRESIDENT TRUMP:  Thank you very much.  Appreciate it.

END 
12:18 P.M. EDT

HAVE A HEART

RESPECT YOUR CUSTOMERS, EMPLOYEES AND ASSOCIATES

#moessouthwestgrill #PaulDamico #EpicBosses #NikZafri

Treat them well - not only your customers or your own employees but your associates as well

ONE IS SERIOUS, THE OTHER IS NOT - TRUE ACCOUNT by Nik Zafri

CARA BERFIKIR DAN BERTINDAK YANG BERJAYA - NIK ZAFRI

DESIGN THINKING - BASICS - Nik Zafri

MOOD MEDIA - LORNE ABONY

#MoodMedia #LorneAbony #EpicBosses #NikZafri

The employees are the embodiment of what the M&A is all about. One of the nice things about the opportunity to meet first hand with these employees is to hear what they thought, and they all thought very similar things. They understood that it was necessary; they thought they were in a better, stronger company.

SOAL JAWAB - KESELAMATAN, KESIHATAN PEKERJAAN, ALAM SEKITAR - Nik Zafri

SOALAN 1 : Selain kepatuhan terhadap undang-undang, kenapa perlukan sistem pengurusan keselamatan kerja dan alam sekitar?

Jawapan : Pentingnya sistem ialah untuk memastikan dan meningkatkan lagi tahap keselamatan, kesihatan, persekitaran dan kebajikan pekerja terjaga.

SOALAN 2. Adakah dokumentasi itu penting?

Jawapan :

Jika ianya dapat menyelamatkan nyawa, maka dokumentasi itu penting, tetapi ianya mesti disusuli dengan pelaksanaan. Maka saya berpendapat, dokumentasi dan pelaksanaan adalah sama pentingnya.

Jika kita masih beranggapan bahawa dokumentasi itu terlalu membebankan, maka matlamat untuk mencapai satu sistem yang bertulis sebagai bukti pelaksanaan tidak akan tercapai.

SOALAN 3. Bagaimana nak memastikan semua orang faham mengenai pentingnya menjaga keselamatan, kesihatan dan penjagaan alam sekitar?

Jawapan : 

• Komitmen ikhlas dan sepenuh-hati dari pihak pengurusan tertinggi.
• Delegasi tugas yang betul kepada orang yang betul.
• Komunikasi perlu berkesan dan mesej "suci" ini sampai sehingga kepada peringkat kakitangan sokongan mahupun buruh/pekerja.
• Latihan dan pembangunan secara berterusan.

SOALAN 4. Kenapa keselamatan, kesihatan dan pengurusan alam sekitar terabai?

Jawapan : Mengikut pengalaman saya - ada 3 unsur sahaja, pertama - sistem, kedua - pelaksanaan, ketiga - sikap :

• sifat menghafal dan bukannya memahami. Jika tidak faham,bagaimana nak menghayati serta jadikannya sebagai budaya syarikat?
• Sifat suka menuding jari apabila berlaku insiden dan kemalangan. (Tiada akauntabiliti – rasa dipertanggungjawabkan). Walhal jika mengikut prosedur yang betul (jika ada prosedur), perkara ini boleh diselesaikan mengikut lunas undang-undang. Tidak ada satu pun tempat kerja yang 100% selamat.
• Melakukan kerana terpaksa dan dipaksa. Melaksanakan sistem pengurusan keselamatan, kesihatan pekerjaan dan alam sekitar tidak boleh dilakukan kerana terpaksa, ianya akan menimbulkan lebih banyak masalah lagi.
• 'attitude' perlu betul dalam kita hendak melaksanakan sistem ini. (adopting the right attitude)

Jika awal-awal lagi, kita sudah tanamkan pemikiran negatif umpamanya "sistem ini menyusahkan" dan seumpamanya, maka kita perlukan bantuan professional.

• Mengukur keselamatan, kesihatan dan pengurusan alam sekitar menerusi satu perspektif yang sempit – contohnya dengan hanya adanya peralatan perlindungan diri (PPE), maka keselamatan dan kesihatan pekerjaan serta alam sekitar telah pun terjaga.

Malah persepsi pemakaian PPE juga perlu difahami dalam 2 kategori:

a) adanya topi keselamatan dipakai untuk mengelak dari objek yang jatuh dari atas.

b) adanya topi keselamatan juga dapat menyelamatkan nyawa

Faktor-faktor lain ialah :

• Takut untuk berbelanja lebih bagi meningkatkan tahap keselamatan kerja.
• Tindakan menangani insiden dan kemalangan tidak bertepatan dengan undang-undang. Ini termasuklah "cuba menutup" kes-kes kematian, kecederaan parah dari pihak berkuasa dsb.
• Meletakkan kesalahan hanya kepada Pegawai Keselamatan dan Kesihatan Pekerjaan

SOALAN 5 : Kenapa perlunya Jawatankuasa Keselamatan dan Kesihatan Pekerjaan?

Jawapan :

Keselamatan, Kesihatan Pekerjaan dan Pengurusan Alam Sekitar bukan kerja perseorangan tetapi ianya adalah kerjasama dalam satu pasukan.

Perlu ada sesi bertukar-tukar pendapat, mengikut kepakaran dan pengalaman dalam bidang/jabatan masing-masing demi keselamatan, kesihatan dan pengurusan alam sekitar sesebuah organisasi.

Jangan hanya serahkan semua tanggungjawab kepada Pegawai atau Pengurus HSE sahaja. Inipun salah juga...

SOALAN 6. Adakah Penilaian Suasana Berbahaya, Impak/Aspek dan Risiko itu perlu?

Jawapan :

Penilaian ini perlu dimulakan daripada peringkat perancangan pra-operasi lagi. Sebarang suasana berbahaya, impak/aspek dan risiko perlu dikenalpasti secara proaktif berdasarkan pengalaman terdahulu. Kemudian ianya perlu dikawal semasa penilaian berlaku dan disemak kembali akan keberkesanannya.

Penilaian Risiko tidak sama dengan Pemeriksaan (Inspection) dan Audit.
Pemeriksaan adalah sesuatu yang biasa dilakukan (rutin), audit dan penilaian risiko adalah secara berkala dan berjadual.

Bezanya, penilaian risiko tidak diberikan laporan ketidakpatuhan (NCR) seperti audit dan pemeriksaan.

Penilaian risiko akan mengenengahkan masalah kecil yang berpotensi membawa kepada masalah yang besar jika tidak ditangani secara proaktif. Jika ada masalah besar, maka itu menunjukkan terdapat risiko yang tinggi dalam sesuatu operasi

Setiap masalah diberikan pemarkahannya yang tersendiri. Kesilapan penilai risiko ialah mengeluarkan laporan ketidakpatuhan. Ini boleh menimbulkan kekeliruan.

Tujuan utama Penilaian Risiko ialah untuk menjadi pemangkin dengan mengurangkan trend ketidakpatuhan dalam pemeriksaan dan audit.

Maka jika didapati jumlah NCR masih tinggi (makin bertambah) dalam pemeriksaan dan audit, maka kemungkinan besar pengenalpastian risiko secara proaktif adalah TIDAK TEPAT. Segera lakukan penyemakan kembali.

AND HE ACTUALLY DID IT - TAN SRI LIM GOH TONG

#LimGohTong #GentingHighlands #EpicBosses

And he actually did it!

When everyone at that time said "It's impossible"

He chased after his dreams and he realize his dreams into reality.

Do we have that courage?

TYPICAL PITFALLS IN CORPORATE GOVERNANCE - Nik Zafri

Lesson No. 1 : The CEO must be well-informed of any risks (both technical and financial) when deciding to invest in "new innovation"

Innovative ideas may sound "juicy" but potentially may also become a great threat to sound governance practices. Few gigantic motor corporations thought innovation was a good investment hence a lot of money went to Research and Development (R and D) to produce "innovations" to only knew later that they have breached the law.

a) The VW emissiongate/dieselgate

Quoting Ian McVeigh, Head of Governance at Jupiter Asset Management wrote in the Telegraph UK in 2015 : 

"The revelation that the car giant (VW) has been using so-called “defeat device” software to get its diesel cars to pass strict emission tests has been an unmitigated disaster. Since the scandal broke, the value of the company has fallen by around €30bn (£22bn)"

Source : https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File%3AVW_stock_price_after_emissions_violations.png (Analysis by Dennis Bratland)

He wrote further about the significance of the CEO being well informed of investment analysis without the investors finding out about it first. Ian also mentioned about the corporate structure of German companies - having split boards - a supervisory and a management board making it potentially unclear of the "who is responsible or authorized for what?". UK however adopted the principle of putting the final responsibility with only one board.

The Volkswagen dieselgate or emission gate case started on 18 September 2015, when the US EPA issued a notice of violation of the Clean Air Act to German automaker Volkswagen Group for intentionally programmed turbocharged direct injection (TDI) diesel engines to activate certain emissions controls only during lab emission test. The programming caused the vehicles' NOx output to meet US standards during regulatory testing but emit up to 40 times more NOx in real-world driving. 

The CEO sportingly have since apologized to the customers, users and the general public. Later, he resigned.

Although Volkswagen is embarking on new policies and slowly regaining the trust of stakeholders and the car buyers, but the price they have paid is high.

Lesson No. 2 : Hiring "external party" to advise the Board can also lead to disaster.

I once heard somewhere that billionaire Warren Buffet; at some point; do not fully trust "external party's" judgement. He would rather make his own final decision.

Be careful when appointing external "subject matter experts" especially authorizing them to speak in a Board Meeting. If it is not necessary to hire, then DON'T! 

Many important decision cannot be made unanimously because the "so-called guru" says "NO". Ironically, the CEO agrees and subscribes to the "gurus" advice rather than seeking majority opinions from the experienced board members. (I've seen this happened before - it was a disaster!)

Hiring consultant assisting in corporate governance implementation is fine but these practices should be restricted to mid and support levels where CEO leads the initiative - not vice-versa. Board Members meeting must always be treated as CONFIDENTIAL.

Remember : Not everyone in the boardroom are smart guys!

Lesson No. 3 : There are always good rationales of why laws are implemented and enforced. 

Those who try to avoid the law are deemed to have "cheated" the government/ lawmakers and other stakeholders. Or put simply, betraying everyone's trust. 

One of the top cases that I've bumped into is misappropriation of funds (breach of trust) due to shareholders "manipulating" their unclear roles, responsibilities and authorities to serve their own ends. Other cases include : board ineffectiveness, unethical audit and risk practices, "unfair" pay, bad relations with external parties such as accountants and company secretaries. (aah yes, accountants and company secretaries can tell stories too - they know your secrets!)

We've witnessed how prolonged "conflict" between corporate entities and the lawmakers ending up in series of investigations and prosecutions. Long battles in the court of law not only endanger the company's reputation (even if you win the case) but the sad consequences that follow it - from people loosing jobs to reduction of market values.

Lesson No. 4 : Risk is always PROACTIVE

Never wait until problem arises. Learn the lessons from others who have failed. Take proactive measures by adopting Risk Management. (and don't just simply say....DO IT!) Proactive Risk Identification will provide you with a guide on Plan of Action (mitigation), brainstorming and develop a strategic plan. 

All these activities must happen prior to operation/project implementaton, assessed during the operation (comparing with the Risk Register for proactive risk identification stage) and mitigate during post-operation stage.

Adopt good practices of Risk Management but do not try to be too bold by taking unwanted risks!

Lesson No. 5 : Do What You Say and Say What You Do.

When you have given solemn promises or have put them in your customer charter or have addressed them in Manuals and Procedures - deliver them. Don't just file everything up and ignore them, or displaying what needed to be displayed and "that's it...end of story" - hoping that your PR will do the rest for you.

Sometimes, as a shareholder, you need to realize what you think is "impossible" can happen and do happen - whereby other shareholders (your own friends) can turn against you due to one or two angry customers who feel that you are not delivering what you have promised.

There are so many reasons of why ISO 9000 or Total Quality Management is introduced on the first place. Surely they are not to burden you but to help you.

Lesson No. 6 : Non-Conformance and Risks are opportunity for improvement

Don't scare auditors with cold bullying remarks such as :

• "I'm your paymaster",
• "Make it looks like there is more "loss" than "profit",
• "I know your boss",
• "Don't try to be too smart - remember Enron?" 

Remember, auditors are human beings too. If they feel threatened, despite the Non-Disclosure Agreement, they still can adopt the "Need to Know Basis" vs your "Transparency" - they can even get court-orders. Believe me, the end-results won't be good.

Treat auditors as friends who are trying to help you not destroy you. Treat any non-conformances as opportunities for improvement and not some "fault-finding activities". In the end, you'll be in every auditors "good book"

Don't make your company becoming one of the case study being discussed in front of other auditors in their association.

Lesson No. 7 : Be careful when setting limits on shareholder voting power.

One study (by Ken L. Bechmanna, Department of Finance, Copenhagen Business School and Johannes Raaballeb Department of Economics and Business, Aarhus University) shows that the bad corporate governance in the banks is visible in the shape of severe restrictions on shareholder rights, including voting and ownership ceilings, etc. These severe restrictions are quite unique, especially from an Anglo-Saxon perspective. In the U.S., ownership ceilings are not allowed and in a sample of 4,399 U.S. firms, only 24 had voting ceilings (see Commission of the European Communities, 2007). 

Similarly, voting and ownership ceilings are not among the 24 corporate governance provisions carefully examined by Bebchuk, Cohen and Ferrell (2009), who show that restrictions on shareholder rights lead to significant reductions in firm value.

Out of the six entrenchment provisions found to be value destroying, four of them set limits on shareholder voting power and the ability of a majority of shareholders to impose their will on the management.

And FINALLY!!

When you are having problems, try avoiding easy paths such as buyover, mergers, bailouts etc or worse - let yourself willingly to become "victim" to "hostile takeover" or ending up in government intervention. 

Even if you feel like selling your shares or the company itself, don't give up yet - try your best to first to solve your problems - who knows, you might succeed against all odds. 

Be transparent to your employees - let them know what is happening, many companies have gone down to earth and surprisingly, their employees have very good ideas on how to save the company. If the idea works, give these employees the rewards that they deserve!

ISMS - ISO/IEC 27001:2013 - INFORMATION SECURITY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM - NIK ZAFRI

WORKING WITH PASSION AND OWNERSHIP

#EpicBosses #RonLynch #TiltedKilt

Working with passion and ownership.

ISO 9001:2015, OHSAS 18000, EMS ISO 14000 - SOME USEFUL FLOWS - NIK ZAFRI

#ISO90012015 #OHSAS18000 #EMSISO14000 #ISO14000 #NikZafri

FOR MORE INFO : Contact  me/RFQ for more details or Click on Online Enquiry Form 

(Serious Enquiries Only)

I PRAY FOR GOD'S CONTINUED BLESSINGS (BRYAN BEDFORD)

#BryanBedford #FrontierAirlines #EpicBosses

The richness of the soul is always the greatest wealth 

SCOTT SIBELLA, MGM GRAND PRESIDENT

#ScottSibella #MGMGrand #EpicBosses

Lessons learned. Corporate Leaders, CEO and Presidents of all major corporations of the world - THIS is the way to go!

DON FERTMAN - CDO - SUBWAY

#Subway #DonFertman #EpicBosses

Subway listens to the sandwich artists (staff) who are directly dealing with the customers on a daily basis. This is the best way of knowing what the customers really want.

Something that is lacking in most businesses today. They only listen to their customers and ironically blame their own staff.

SHELDON YELLON - TRUE LEADERSHIP

#SHELDONYELLON #BELFOR

E-SASTERA MALAYSIA DID IT AGAIN (In Nik Zafri's perspective)

#Esastera 

Further reading and compliments to :

http://www.e-sastera.com

https://www.facebook.com/esastera.malaysia.1

https://aktivisesastera.wordpress.com/jawatankuasa/

http://www.lenterasastra.com/2016/11/21/sastrawan-malaysia-menyuarakan-persaudaraan-di-banten

http://www.lenterasastra.com/2016/10/19/dua-penyanyi-malaysia-akan-tampil-di-cilegon/


http://klikweb.dbp.my/wordpress/?p=522

Not a very long time ago, I wrote about this fabulous association (Esastera Malaysia) that unites both local and ASEAN e-writers, poets, literature practitioners/activists/fans alike.

Last week, they did it again! 

Esastera is embarking on a journey to become a global player in the e-literature market. 

Ahkarim; known for his distinctive style; 

reciting a poem at Rumah Baca Bintang Al-Ikhlas Banten

The founder Prof. Dr. Ir. Wan Abu Bakar alongside with Ah Karim, Puzi Hadi together with Ilya Kablam and Hijasri of GLP not only painstakingly contributed towards the success of ASEAN E-Writer Award simultaneously HESCOM 2016 but also helped out in few other events all held in different places including Pondok Pesantren Al-Fath Kota Cilegon, Banten and International E-Literature Seminar Indonesia and Malaysia (SISIM) 2016 where Prof. Ir. Wan and Puzi among speakers/representatives from Malaysia. 

The events have also witnessed the corporate social responsibility rendered by E-Sastera towards the needies.

GLP entertaining the guests with beautiful poetic songs

The events are organized in collaboration with Gabungan Komunitas Sastra ASEAN - GAKSA (Literature Asean Community Association) founded/lead by a young excellent Indonesian poet, Mr.Muhammad Rois Rinaldi.

Rois; who is soft spoken and humble; enjoys a reputation of being a 3-years consecutive recipient of the HESCOM Award by Esastera Malaysia- the highest appreciation;by far; ever given to any ASEAN e-poet/writer.

http://rumahseorangpenyair.blogspot.my/2013/07/tentang-muhammad-rois-rinaldi.html

(Rois is also practicing his own personal social responsibility by leading the Rumah Baca Bintang Al-Ikhlas (RBBAI) Banten (House of Reading) focussing on issues of education guided by the values of religion, moral, social and cultural)

The main theme "Between Anyer and Jakarta" (inspired by one Sheila Majid's song) - Esastera appeared in Banten to voice out their strong support towards transnational unity/fraternity of literary works, how they adapt to the borderless world, the future of e-literature and their generic functions in the global issues today. Other issues are aimed towards promoting the rich culture of the archipelago (Nusantara) as well as tourism in Banten.

Web/Blog : http://rumahbacabintangalikhlas.blogspot.my/2016/09/kenali-kami-lebih-dekat.html

Facebook Page : https://www.facebook.com/groups/824900917543484/

Among international poets attending the events are Rohani Din, Mahroso Doloh, Zamree Idris, Jayaraksa Mukti etc.

Professor Dr. Ir. Wan announcing the final results

Other parties involved - including Reps from Banten Education Department/Cilegon Education Office and Pondok Pesantren Al-Fath Kota Cilegon, Banten and Yayasan Al-Khairiyah Banu Al-Qomar, Karangtengah Cilegon.

Me and Wife attending as honourable guests of Hescom 2015 in Dynasty Hotel, Kuala Lumpur

SCAMMERS, YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED - NIK ZAFRI

#OhioStateUniversity #Cybersecurity #Scammers #NikZafri #Hasil #LHDN

This is how I teach scammers some "computer lessons" they will never forget. Never mess around with the old school programmer. You will live to regret it for life!

CONDOLENCES TO THAILAND

#KingBhumibol #Thailand

His Royal Majesty - King Bhumibol Adulyadej  (Rama IX of Chakri Dynasty) has passed away peacefully. A true people's King. He has ruled fairly, a peace loving King, establishing justice and unity and to me - he has been well-known to treat everyone equally regardless of religion, race and social status.


On behalf of my country - in my own humble way, I wish to convey my deepest condolences to the Royal Family and the people of the Kingdom of Thailand.

#NikZafri