Malaysian Indian Business Association (Miba) will bestow the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award 2008 to one of the country’s leading port operators, Westports executive chairman G Gnanalingam.

The award will be presented at a special dinner to be held at the in Petaling Jaya Civic Centre.

will be given the award for being “one of the most outstanding Malaysian entrepreneurs in the country”, said Miba president P Sivakumar in a press statement last week.

Sivakumar described the recipient as a “remarkable entrepreneur who has ascended from rags to riches ... to be what he is today as an excellent role model for the future generation of potential entrepreneurs in the country”.

The 63-year-old tycoon will deliver a special keynote lecture entitled ‘Towards 2020' where he would share his past business experiences to confront future challenges.

The annual awards will also recognise the best Indian Malaysian entrepreneur, the best women entrepreneur and the best young entrepreneur.

“By way of giving recognition to these successful businesspersons, the association feels the occasion will motivate promising entrepreneurs to soar new heights in life and contribute to nation building,” said Sivakumar.

Billion-ringgit man

Gnanalingam was first involved in the transport industry after he was appointed a board member of Port Klang Authority in 1987.

He founded Westports in 1994 and turned it into the country’s largest privately-owned port.

Gnanalingam was credited for introducing innovative measures to boost container shipping traffic during the 1997/98 financial crisis that saw Port Klang achieving positive growth despite the economic slump.

In 2007, business magazine Forbes Asia ranked him at number 29 in its list of 40 richest Asians with a personal wealth valued at US$215 million (RM1.04 billion).

A father of three, it was reported that he is making way for son, Ruben, to eventually take over his business.

Gnanalingam also owns a stake in pencilmaker Pelikan and logistics firm Konsortium Logistiks.