New Penang port chief harbours dreams of return to glory days
INTERVIEW | Newly-appointed Penang Port Commission chairperson Jeffrey Chew Gim Ean is on a mission to "unlock the potential" of his newfound baby.
After years of dispute with the port’s development affected by conflicts between the state and federal governments, transformation is key for the port to return to its glory days, he said.
Many Penangites are still unhappy that the state lost its free port status in 1967 – during which the island’s per capita income dropped to as low as 12 percent below the national average while unemployment rose to 16 percent.
INTERVIEW | Newly appointed Penang Port Commission chairperson Jeffrey Chew Gim Ean is on a mission to "unlock the potential" of his newfound baby.
After years of dispute with the port’s development affected by conflicts between the state and federal governments, transformation is key for the port to return to its glory days, he said.
Many Penangites are still unhappy that the state lost its free port status in 1967 – during which the island’s per capita income dropped to as low as 12 percent below the national average, while unemployment rose to 16 percent.
"Progressive" is the word Chew often uses to describe his working style when Malaysiakini met him for an interview at his swanky new office overlooking the Penang channel at Swettenham Pier.
Chew, 51, said his task is to focus on "doing the right thing at the right moment, as the right results will then fall into place."
"When this opportunity came about, I said that it was quite a big role, but it was something I held dearly close to my heart - the port, the sea, and the island.
He said that he passed by the iconic port every day, but did not see enough signs of progress.
"Nobody was doing anything, so I felt this was a challenge to do things the right way," he said.
The position would not have become available if Pakatan Harapan had not won the GE14, as the port was always managed previously by a political appointee from MCA.
"Thus, I always remind myself that this position is not for the party, it's for the people in the country," he said.
"I hold this place very dearly because of the people who have worked here, and although it’s a government-linked company, they are very passionate about their work," Chew added, saying that a lot of credit must be given to people who work on the ground in the port.
Chew, 51, believes in making a difference wherever he is.
Although he felt honoured to be appointed Pakatan Harapan's first Penang Port Commission chief, he felt it was a huge responsibility "that he takes very seriously".
He has 24 months to prove himself and intends to set the right foundation so that whoever comes after him can continue the good work.
Chew was appointed as deputy general manager at the Penang Development Corporation prior to this job, and stayed on for five years.
"All my other jobs were also for two years, but I work hard and continue when it gets extended. If not, I will move on to something else," he said.
"Currently, we need to do a balancing act. There is the North Butterworth Container Terminal Port, which has been transformed into more or less a feeder port. It is not much, but the volume is high.
"Then you have the cruise liners, which bring in 30 percent of the revenue. I believe Penang Port Sdn Bhd, the company that manages the port, see this as a cash cow business," he added.
He noted that cruise liners are important because they can bring in about 6,000 visitors at any one time, while 10 to 20 percent of passengers will go shopping, which will benefit the local economy.
The port will be going through a transformation, Chew said, and it is important to look at different ways of doing business.
Born and bred in Penang
Chew was born and bred in Penang and studied in St Xavier’s Institution before going to the US to obtain an MBA in Business Administration.
Although he has maintained a low profile, Chew has been involved in DAP since the 1980s, when he was then only 18 years old.
He was not allowed to join the party, as they considered him too young.
"Only when I came back from studying in the US did I join the party. Over the years, I took the position of helping the party, and when action is over, we go back to our own comfort zones," he said.
Things changed after 2008, he said, when Deputy Defence Minister Liew Chin Tong, then the Bukit Bendera MP, urged him to come forward and help the party.
"At one time I was not helping, I was busy working, making money, travelling around the world. Only during elections, we took leave for two weeks to help, as the factory would not let you get involved."
Chew, who served as special assistant to the former Penang chief minister Lim Guan Eng, worked in several multinational companies for almost 12 years before Chin Tong requested him to help the state.
"At the time I did not even know Guan Eng, who is now the Finance Minister. Working with him was the biggest experience. I thought I would only last for one term, but he went on for two terms (2008 to 2018).
"It’s very challenging. He expects the best from you. He was not just a perfectionist, but wants you to know things fast.
" When I took up the role, it was not so simple because I was doing many things. I was liaising with the companies and him, and writing his speeches. It was more of doing corrections, sometimes 100 pct and rewrite again," Chew recalled.
"I learnt from Guan Eng that the first impression is the best impression,” he said.
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