Today we bear witness to the passing of a towering Malaysian: Tan Sri G Gnanalingam.

In an era when ports were owned by the state (and thus lagged in efficiency and enterprise), he was the first to successfully propose and secure from the government a concession to build and operate a new modern multicargo port in Port Klang to serve a rapidly growing and industrialising Malaysia. Today Westports is a leading port operator handling 80% of all container traffic at Port Klang making the latter the 12th busiest port in the world. His business achievements and successes are self evident.

He was also someone of much curiosity and quiet intellect. He served successive Prime Ministers formally on various committees and his counsel was often sought and welcomed informally. He was a Malaysian first and foremost and he loved his country dearly.

Uncle G, you will be missed. I will forever remember you as the man who bought me my first 10 speed bicycle 🚲 in 1989 after you found out about my SPM high school
exam results. The bike I used to cycle from my house in Damansara Utama to work at 7-Eleven in Taman Tun Dr Ismail.

I will always recall that time I dropped by your office at Plaza Damansara, to tell you about my university offer, and how happy you were for me. As we sat down on the sofa for tea, you gestured excitedly. “Omar I want to show you my next project. I saw the PM and he just approved my idea to build this.”

You flipped open a presentation document, A3 sized, full of impressive numbers and architectural renderings: it was your vision for Westports. I was in awe.

“Omar, if you dream big enough, and work hard enough, nothing is impossible in this blessed country of ours. Always remember that.” I have never forgotten those words, Uncle G.

Thank you and farewell. May your legacy live on in the able hands of those with whom you have entrusted.