Syed Azman Syed Ibrahim
Syed Azman Syed Ibrahim | |
|---|---|
| Born | Syed Azman bin Syed Ibrahim 23 March 1960 |
| Occupation(s) | Founder and chairman of The Weststar Group |
| Spouse | Puan Sri Sharifah Aza Syed Adnan |
Syed Azman bin Syed Ibrahim (born 23 March 1960) is a Malaysian business tycoon and philanthropist. He is the Group Managing Director of The Weststar Group, a Malaysian conglomerate operating in various industries including aviation, automotive and defence.[1]
Early life
[edit]Syed Azman was born on 23 March 1960 in Sungai Petani, Kedah. He received his early education at Ibrahim Primary School and Ibrahim Secondary School in Sungai Petani before joining the Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM) in 1981. Immediately after successfully completing Cadet Officer training, he was selected to join the KRD and began service in the Defense Intelligence Staff Division (BSPP). His assignment was then more geared towards the duties of a State Military Intelligence Officer (MIO) before completing his service in 1993.[2]
Career
[edit]Syed Azman started his business career in 1994 after serving as an officer for 13 years in the Royal Intelligence Corps of the Malaysian Armed Forces. He invested RM200,000 to begin importing used luxury cars from Europe to sell in Malaysia. At that time, he did not have an Approved Permit (AP), an import and export license issued by the Permit Issuing Agencies, instead he only shared with friends who had the permit. After some time, he managed to secure an AP from the government, and his car business began to gain prominence.[3]
In spite of his thriving business, a change in government policies led to a cessation of the government's offering of open APs, now only permitting AP franchises. To obtain the AP franchise permit, Syed Azman had to be appointed by a foreign car company as a distributor; only then could he acquire the permit. In 2002, he became a distributor for Honda, and in 2011, Maxus came on board. He later obtained the rights to distribute Chevrolet and Suzuki as well.[3]
In 2003, he purchased his first helicopter for US$1.5 million for personal use. When not in use, he rented it out to interested parties. It was during this time that he realized the high demand for helicopters in Malaysia. Five years later, he successfully secured his first contract to provide helicopter services for transporting oil and gas sector workers to the rig.[4]
Today, Syed Azman is the owner of Weststar Aviation Services Sdn Bhd (WAS), which operates more than 40 helicopters and four private jets. He also holds a contract worth RM8 billion to transport oil rig workers, making him one of the richest Malay men in Malaysia.[5]
Honours
[edit]
Malaysia :
Commander of the Order of Loyalty to the Crown of Malaysia (PSM) – Tan Sri (2009)[6][7]
Kedah :
Knight Commander of the Order of the Crown of Kedah (DGMK) – Dato' Wira (2006)[7]
Knight Grand Companion of the Order of Loyalty to the Royal House of Kedah (SSDK) – Dato' Seri (2021)[7]
Pahang :
Knight Companion of the Order of the Crown of Pahang (DIMP) – Dato' (2000)[7]
Grand Knight of the Order of the Crown of Pahang (SIMP) – formerly Dato', now Dato' Indera (2003)[7]
Grand Knight of the Order of Sultan Ahmad Shah of Pahang (SSAP) – Dato' Sri (2004)[7]
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References
[edit]- ^ "Leadership". Weststar Aviation. Retrieved 20 October 2024.
- ^ "Kecemerlangan Diri Untuk Membantu Orang Lain – Brig Jen (K) Tan Sri Dr Syed Azman Syed Ibrahim". Berita Tentera Darat Malaysia. Retrieved 14 August 2024.
- ^ a b "Meet The Malaysian Entrepreneur Who Is Trying To Build The World's Largest Helicopter Operator". Forbes. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
- ^ "KEYNOTE SPEAKER 2". ICHiSS. Retrieved 20 October 2024.
- ^ CHE HUSNA KAMARUZZAMAN, ed. (2 August 2023). "Tan Sri Syed Azman, ini kisah Billionair melayu paling kaya dalam dunia". Info Rakyat. Retrieved 20 October 2024.
- ^ "Senarai Penuh Penerima Darjah Kebesaran, Bintang dan Pingat Persekutuan Tahun 2009" (PDF). Retrieved 20 October 2024.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ a b c d e f "Semakan Penerima Darjah Kebesaran, Bintang dan Pingat". Prime Minister's Department (Malaysia).