{"id":24015,"date":"2025-12-02T17:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-12-02T09:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/liewchintong.com\/?p=24015"},"modified":"2026-05-20T18:55:35","modified_gmt":"2026-05-20T10:55:35","slug":"terima-kasih-tengku-zafrul","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/liewchintong.com\/ms\/2025\/12\/02\/terima-kasih-tengku-zafrul\/","title":{"rendered":"Terima kasih, Tengku Zafrul"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Syukurlah kita dapat bertemu di majlis ini bagi meraikan pimpinan yang kita hormati dan sanjungi Tengku Zafrul yang telah memberi sumbangan dan jasa bakti, bukan sahaja kepada MITI tetapi juga kepada negara. Jasamu sepanjang perkhidmatan akan sentiasa dikenang.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Izinkan saya bermula dengan serangkap pantun:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Tunjuk hormat jangan mencelah<br>Sopan santun jadi amalan<br>Dulu tak kenal walau di sebelah<br>Kini berkhidmat jadi timbalan<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Dear Minister, friends, and colleagues,<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I am not sure if you remember this, Tengku Zafrul, but I first met you in July 2008 at the first-ever briefing for Opposition MPs by AirAsia. I was elected in March that year at the height of Malaysia\u2019s political tsunami, which also prompted Tan Sri Tony Fernandes to engage with our side of politics. I was a rookie MP and you were a young CEO of one of the Maybank subsidiaries. I was actually seated next to you, and you left a strong impression on me.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">At that point of time, no one in the Opposition would dream about becoming government. In fact my party at that time was considered to be a permanent Opposition party while you were in the corporate world. As Rudyard Kipling put it, never the twain shall meet. We could never imagine that one day I would serve as your deputy at MITI.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Over the years I watched your career progress, and met you occasionally at social and business events.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/liewchintong.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/593239813_1402410927907674_8879204133328650852_n-1-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-24020\" srcset=\"https:\/\/liewchintong.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/593239813_1402410927907674_8879204133328650852_n-1-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/liewchintong.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/593239813_1402410927907674_8879204133328650852_n-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/liewchintong.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/593239813_1402410927907674_8879204133328650852_n-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/liewchintong.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/593239813_1402410927907674_8879204133328650852_n-1-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/liewchintong.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/593239813_1402410927907674_8879204133328650852_n-1.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">To illustrate how open-minded and consultative Tengku Zafrul is, let me share with you a story.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In October 2020, when preparing for Budget 2021 as the Finance Minister of the previous government, Tengku Zafrul hosted a dinner at his house for me and two other Opposition colleagues to discuss candidly about our proposals. While there were a lot of animosities between Perikatan Nasional and Pakatan Harapan leaders, I was very impressed with his friendliness and readiness to engage, listen, and consult.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I was sworn in as Deputy Minister of MITI on 10 December 2022, and almost three years since that day, I am very grateful that I have served under your leadership.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I have observed politics long enough to know that not every minister is as assured and confident as you in accommodating different views, especially those from your very opinionated deputy. Thank you for that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You are always very open to accepting suggestions and views, and you care to share the rationale if you declined some of my proposals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/liewchintong.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/593271883_1402410974574336_8163792933389011087_n-1-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-24023\" srcset=\"https:\/\/liewchintong.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/593271883_1402410974574336_8163792933389011087_n-1-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/liewchintong.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/593271883_1402410974574336_8163792933389011087_n-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/liewchintong.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/593271883_1402410974574336_8163792933389011087_n-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/liewchintong.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/593271883_1402410974574336_8163792933389011087_n-1-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/liewchintong.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/593271883_1402410974574336_8163792933389011087_n-1.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In October 2020, when preparing for Budget 2021 as the Finance Minister of the previous government, Tengku Zafrul hosted a dinner at his house for me and two other Opposition colleagues to discuss candidly about our proposals. While there were a lot of animosities between Perikatan Nasional and Pakatan Harapan leaders, I was very impressed with his friendliness and readiness to engage, listen, and consult.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I was sworn in as Deputy Minister of MITI on 10 December 2022, and almost three years since that day, I am very grateful that I have served under your leadership.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I have observed politics long enough to know that not every minister is as assured and confident as you in accommodating different views, especially those from your very opinionated deputy. Thank you for that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" src=\"https:\/\/liewchintong.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/594565456_1402410864574347_4642297745849033156_n-1-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-24026\" srcset=\"https:\/\/liewchintong.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/594565456_1402410864574347_4642297745849033156_n-1-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/liewchintong.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/594565456_1402410864574347_4642297745849033156_n-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/liewchintong.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/594565456_1402410864574347_4642297745849033156_n-1-768x511.jpg 768w, https:\/\/liewchintong.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/594565456_1402410864574347_4642297745849033156_n-1-1536x1022.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/liewchintong.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/594565456_1402410864574347_4642297745849033156_n-1.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You are always very open to accepting suggestions and views, and you care to share the rationale if you declined some of my proposals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For those who have attended meetings chaired by Tengku Zafrul, you would agree with me that he is witty yet respectful, even when he asks very sharp questions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Your wealth of knowledge and experience, especially as a former bank CEO and former finance minister, has contributed to your ability to accurately grasp complex issues very quickly, making you such an \u201ceasy\u201d minister for officers to brief. And, I often heard praises for you from business people after they met you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/liewchintong.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/592403935_1402410727907694_6947097177759678511_n-1-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-24029\" srcset=\"https:\/\/liewchintong.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/592403935_1402410727907694_6947097177759678511_n-1-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/liewchintong.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/592403935_1402410727907694_6947097177759678511_n-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/liewchintong.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/592403935_1402410727907694_6947097177759678511_n-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/liewchintong.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/592403935_1402410727907694_6947097177759678511_n-1-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/liewchintong.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/592403935_1402410727907694_6947097177759678511_n-1.jpg 1918w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In the years to come, when Malaysians talk about MITI, they will refer to the New Industrial Master Plan 2030, the Independent Steel Committee and the Steel Industry Roadmap, the National Semiconductor Strategy, the new thinking in the automotive industry etc. These are the achievements during the Zafrul years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">On behalf of MITI and Malaysia, I thank you for your service to the nation, and like everyone here in the hall, I cherish the opportunity to work alongside you, and we are honoured to be part of MITI\u2019s Zafrul years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Walaupun berpisah esok, saya rasa kita akan tetap bertemu dengan Tengku Zafrul, dalam kapasiti yang lain pula.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Sama ada melalui tugas barunya selepas ini atau tugas lain selepas pilihan raya umum akan datang, saya yakin beliau akan terus memberi sumbangan kepada negara. I wish him well, and I do hope he will win in the next general election.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/liewchintong.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/594759447_1402410824574351_4071787117490186875_n-1-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-24032\" srcset=\"https:\/\/liewchintong.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/594759447_1402410824574351_4071787117490186875_n-1-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/liewchintong.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/594759447_1402410824574351_4071787117490186875_n-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/liewchintong.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/594759447_1402410824574351_4071787117490186875_n-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/liewchintong.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/594759447_1402410824574351_4071787117490186875_n-1-1536x1025.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/liewchintong.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/594759447_1402410824574351_4071787117490186875_n-1.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Izinkan saya mengakhiri ucapan ini dengan dua rangkap pantun:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Lonjakan kedua bina negara<br>Menteri MITI peneraju agenda<br>Khidmat bakti disambut gembira<br>Jasa baktimu disemat di dada<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Pandu EV tanpa menyusah<br>Menara MITI tujuan hala<br>Walau kita akan berpisah<br>Panjang umur bertemu semula<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Sekian, terima kasih.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em><em>This was my speech at the Perhimpunan Bulanan MITI today, which was also the final Perhimpunan for Minister Tengku Zafrul Aziz.<\/em><\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Syukurlah kita dapat bertemu di majlis ini bagi meraikan pimpinan yang kita hormati dan sanjungi Tengku Zafrul yang telah memberi sumbangan dan jasa bakti, bukan sahaja kepada MITI tetapi juga kepada negara. Jasamu sepanjang perkhidmatan akan sentiasa dikenang. Izinkan saya bermula dengan serangkap pantun: Tunjuk hormat jangan mencelahSopan santun jadi amalanDulu tak kenal walau di [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":24,"featured_media":24017,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[80],"tags":[2315,2319,2321,1726,2320,2323,422,2317,468,2325,2322,2314,208,259,2318,2324,2316,2313,473],"class_list":["post-24015","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-negara","tag-airasia-2","tag-budget-2021-2","tag-deputy-minister-of-miti-2","tag-ev-2","tag-finance-minister-2","tag-independent-steel-committee-2","tag-liew-chin-tong","tag-maybank-2","tag-miti-2","tag-national-semiconductor-strategy-2","tag-new-industrial-master-plan-2030-2","tag-opposition","tag-pakatan-harapan","tag-perikatan-nasional","tag-rudyard-kipling-2","tag-steel-industry-roadmap-2","tag-tan-sri-tony-fernandes-2","tag-tengku-zafrul-2","tag-timbalan-menteri-miti"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/liewchintong.com\/ms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24015","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/liewchintong.com\/ms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/liewchintong.com\/ms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/liewchintong.com\/ms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/24"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/liewchintong.com\/ms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=24015"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/liewchintong.com\/ms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24015\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":24038,"href":"https:\/\/liewchintong.com\/ms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24015\/revisions\/24038"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/liewchintong.com\/ms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/24017"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/liewchintong.com\/ms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=24015"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/liewchintong.com\/ms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=24015"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/liewchintong.com\/ms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=24015"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}