YB DATO' MUKHRIZ MAHATHIR
DEPUTY MINISTER OF INTERNATIONAL TRADE AND INDUSTRY

IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE AWARDS CERTIFICATION BY SIRIM QAS AND MALAYSIA BOOK OF RECORDS

11 FEBRUARY 2010

WISMA SMART READER,
DESA SRI HARTAMAS

Yang Berusaha Dr. Richard Ong,
Chief Executive Officer,
Smart Reader® Worldwide;

Yang Berusaha Dr. K H Wang,
Group Executive Director,
Smart Reader® Worldwide;

Yang Berbahagia Datuk Ir. (Dr) Mohamad Al Amin Abdul Majid, Chairman,
SME Corp.  Malaysia;

Yang Berbahagia Datuk Danny Ooi,
Managing Director,
Malaysia Book Of Records,

Dr. Yap Chee Keong & Mr Chang Boon Ping,
Heads of Chemical and Material Section,
Management System Certification Department,
SIRIM QAS International Sdn Bhd;

Mr. Abdul Malik Abdullah,
Vice-Chairman,
Malaysian Franchise Association;

Franchisees of Smart Reader Kids® and Smart Reader Kids Junior®;

Heads of Department, Unit Heads and Staff of Smart Reader® Worldwide;

Media representatives;

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Assalamualaikum W.B.T and Salam 1Malaysia,

1.    I am speaking here today in place of YB Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry, Dato’ Mukhriz Mahathir who is not able to be present at this particular time. He regrets that he is not here – so do I – but he has asked me to extend his apologies and do the honours of reading his speech today.

2.    First and foremost, I believe, congratulations are in order to Smart Reader® Worldwide for the outstanding achievements they have attained so far in the franchise industry, especially in the field of pre-school education.

3.    It is indeed refreshing to note that the Smart Reader Kids® franchise is not confined within Malaysia only. I understand that quite recently Smart Reader® Worldwide has forged ahead into Amman, Jordan to operate a Smart Reader Kids® centre there.

4.    Without a doubt, Smart Reader® is going places. Let me also point out that etching yourselves firmly on foreign shores is no easy task. You must have the quality to speak for the programme and you must be a leader, if not an active player, in the industry.

5.    From what I have witnessed, the past achievements of Smart Reader® Worldwide are indeed impressive. Thus far, the Malaysia Book of Records has certified Smart Reader® Worldwide together with Smart Reader Kids® five times. Today, you will receive a sixth record.

6.    Also, it is indeed amazing that all these records were created in an industry involving children or preschoolers. As I remember, the very first record in 2003 was the Most Number of Peace Letters (5,672 to be exact) written by children during the war in Iraq, to the then Prime Minister Yang Amat Berbahagia Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad.

7.    In addition, you were endorsed by the Malaysia Book of Records (MBOR) as the Largest Chain of Child Enrichment Centres in the year 2005 (at that time with 125 centres). I am given to understand that today the number of centres in your fraternity stands at close to 300. That is an impressive record – to have more than 100% increase in less than five years.

8.    Furthermore, the Longest Running Concert by Children for a duration of 12 hours in 2004 and the Most Number of Children (625) taking part in a Charity Concert before His Majesty The Yang Di-Pertuan Agong are attestations to what the children can do (of course, with guidance from trained and experienced educators).

9.    Today, the MBOR is recognising you for having the Largest Number of Preschoolers in a Graduation Ceremony. To have organised this mass graduation of 1170 six-year olds from 56 centres in Wilayah Persekutuan, Selangor, Negeri Sembilan,  Johor, Sabah and Sarawak is in itself a success story.  

10.    In the year 2007, there was a record not involving children. Smart Reader® Worldwide became the first education franchise to receive the distinguished ISO 9001:2000 certification for setting quality and standards in the industry.

11.    Having achieved four quality awards in previous years, once again, let me say, shows the commitment to quality and high standards that sets Smart Reader® Worldwide apart from the rest.

12.    The International Quality Crown Award 2009 in London, The Golden Europe Award for Quality and Commercial Prestige 2009 in Paris, The International Quality Award 2008 in New York and The International Star Award for Quality 2007 in Geneva, Switzerland are, but a few, received by Smart Reader® Worldwide in the global arena.

13.    Quality awards translate as excellence of value, superiority and distinction; something that is worthwhile and outstanding, and that which has come up to the point of perfection, eminence, calibre, stature and virtue, standing in a class of its own.

14.    The quality of an individual is reflected in the standards they set for themselves and the actions performed against those standards. It is obvious that Smart Reader® Worldwide has set standards for other industry players to emulate. This success that is enjoyed by Smart Reader® Worldwide can and should be replicated by others.

15.    Today sees another mark of quality being established – that of branding. The Malaysian Brand Certification Scheme is being awarded by the SME Corp and certified by SIRIM QAS International Sdn. Bhd. to Smart Reader® Worldwide for brands and related products covered under the Smart Reader® Licensed Educational Programmes for Smart Reader®, Smart Reader Kids® and Smart Reader Kids Junior®. And I also understand that Smart Reader® Worldwide is the second company in Malaysia to be awarded this brand certification and the first to receive this award in the services sector. This exemplary show of quality is the passport to international expansion and recognition.

16.    Allow me to leave you an acronym for the word QUALITY.

•    Quintessence
•    Unleashed and
•    Activated
•    Likens to
•    Inheritance
•    Through the
•    Years.

17.    To the franchisees present today, let me encourage you to follow in the footsteps of your franchisor and place emphasis on expansion and growth with quality foremost on your minds.

18.    Once again, my heartiest congratulations to Smart Reader® Worldwide in receiving the recognition from the Malaysia Book Of Records and SIRIM QAS International Sdn. Bhd.

19.    Allow me to end now with joyous Gong Xi Fa Cai wishes to all Malaysians for a happy, healthy and fruitful 2010.

Thank you.