G. Gnanalingam
Encyclopedia
Tan Sri Datuk G. Gnanalingam is a prominent Malaysian businessman. He is the current executive chairman of Westports Malaysia Sdn Bhd, one of Malaysia's leading port operators. The US$700 million entity has chalked impressive heights with a consistent double-digit growth since it opened its doors for business in 1996 under his stewardship
The Singapore
-born captain of industry, who grew up in Port Dickson
and Kuala Pilah
, is of Sri Lankan Tamil ancestry. He joined the privately held port in 1994 and was instrumental in steering the port into a leading cargo and freight player in Asia.
Authority since 1987, Gnanalingam defies conventional wisdom and thoughts.
He founded Kelang Multi Terminal Sdn Bhd (now known as Westports Malaysia Sdn Bhd) in 1994. He became the Executive Chairman in 1996 when Malaysia’s first green-field port was privatized. With his sheer hardwork and dedication, he made become Malaysia's largest privately owned port.
He adopted “flexi-port & fast-port” approaches in advocating changes and defying conventional practices to cargo and ship handling, including by implementing integrated port charges,” the citation read.
G Gnanalingam, was also cited for “de-mystifying” general perception of the industry by the public, making ports more public-friendly and creating public-awareness and adopting “garden port concept” making Westport probably the only such port in the world.
He was credited for introducing innovative measures to win traffic during 1997/98 financial crisis that saw Port Klang achieving positive growth as well as fostered feedering to Westport as well as for his commitment to community and welfare causes.
A former marketing director with British American Tobacco, he was the man behind such projects like bringing live telecasts of football's World Cup to Malaysian homes in the 80s.
He was also responsible, during a nine-year period as a consultant for commercial operations for RTM, of increasing its revenue from RM55 million in 1988 to RM350 million in 1996.
It was in 1989 that Tan Sri Gnanalingam made his mark in Malaysian sports when, as marketing consultant, he turned the Kuala Lumpur Sea Games into a money-making event. The Olympic Council of Malaysia Building, built at a cost of RM6 million at that time, stands testimony to the success.
In 2007, Forbes
Asia ranked him as number 29 in their List of 40 Richest Malaysians with a personal wealth valued at US$215 million.
Born in 1945, he is married with 3 children. He is said to be making way for son Ruben to eventually take over the managing of his business enterprise.
The Singapore
Singapore
Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the...
-born captain of industry, who grew up in Port Dickson
Port Dickson
Port Dickson or PD to locals is a beach and holiday destination situated about 32 km from Seremban and 90 km from Kuala Lumpur. It is located in the state of Negeri Sembilan in Peninsular Malaysia...
and Kuala Pilah
Kuala Pilah
Kuala Pilah is a town and district in Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia. Commonly called Pilah by the mainly Malay Minangkabau inhabitants, it is also the name of a district. It is an old valley town with many of the pre-war Chinese shophouses still fronting the main streets surrounded by traditional style...
, is of Sri Lankan Tamil ancestry. He joined the privately held port in 1994 and was instrumental in steering the port into a leading cargo and freight player in Asia.
Ports Involvement
Initiated into the world of transport with his appointment to the Board Member of Port KlangPort Klang
Port Klang is a town and the main gateway by sea into Malaysia. Colonially known as Port Swettenham, it is also the location of the largest and busiest port in the country. As such, its economic progress has been greatly influenced by the port activities in its area...
Authority since 1987, Gnanalingam defies conventional wisdom and thoughts.
He founded Kelang Multi Terminal Sdn Bhd (now known as Westports Malaysia Sdn Bhd) in 1994. He became the Executive Chairman in 1996 when Malaysia’s first green-field port was privatized. With his sheer hardwork and dedication, he made become Malaysia's largest privately owned port.
He adopted “flexi-port & fast-port” approaches in advocating changes and defying conventional practices to cargo and ship handling, including by implementing integrated port charges,” the citation read.
G Gnanalingam, was also cited for “de-mystifying” general perception of the industry by the public, making ports more public-friendly and creating public-awareness and adopting “garden port concept” making Westport probably the only such port in the world.
He was credited for introducing innovative measures to win traffic during 1997/98 financial crisis that saw Port Klang achieving positive growth as well as fostered feedering to Westport as well as for his commitment to community and welfare causes.
Sports Involvement
An avid sports fan and one-time athlete himself, Gnanalingam is also widely regarded as a marketing guru.A former marketing director with British American Tobacco, he was the man behind such projects like bringing live telecasts of football's World Cup to Malaysian homes in the 80s.
He was also responsible, during a nine-year period as a consultant for commercial operations for RTM, of increasing its revenue from RM55 million in 1988 to RM350 million in 1996.
It was in 1989 that Tan Sri Gnanalingam made his mark in Malaysian sports when, as marketing consultant, he turned the Kuala Lumpur Sea Games into a money-making event. The Olympic Council of Malaysia Building, built at a cost of RM6 million at that time, stands testimony to the success.
Business, Wealth and Family
Gnanalingam also owns a stake in pencilmaker Pelikan and logistics firm Konsortium Logistiks.In 2007, Forbes
Forbes
Forbes is an American publishing and media company. Its flagship publication, the Forbes magazine, is published biweekly. Its primary competitors in the national business magazine category are Fortune, which is also published biweekly, and Business Week...
Asia ranked him as number 29 in their List of 40 Richest Malaysians with a personal wealth valued at US$215 million.
Born in 1945, he is married with 3 children. He is said to be making way for son Ruben to eventually take over the managing of his business enterprise.