MUSTAPHA’S NEW GOAL
Emkay founder aims to support agenda for B40 income group
AFTER 35 years building a property company that has now become a legacy for his children and grandchildren, Tan Sri Mustapha Kamal believes he still has time to continue helping those who cannot afford to buy a house and to own one.
Since inception, Emkay Group has built RM20 billion worth of properties, large part of which are affordable housing units.
However, the journey does not stop there for the 69-year-old company founder and executive chairman.
“I believe I am now in the ‘injury time’. If Cristiano Ronaldo (football player) can score three goals in the injury time, I believe everyone can do it. My goal now is to give back to the society (via the development of affordable housing),” said Mustapha in an interview with NST Business.
“I will continue to support the national agenda of providing affordable housing, especially to the B40 (Bottom 40 per cent) income earners. It is my way of giving back to the nation, the rakyat and Malaysia,” he added.
Mustapha has given so much to the society, for example by preserving the Belum Rainforest, but building more affordable housing in the country is his last goal that he hopes to achieve.
He cited a saying “Where there’s a will, there’s a way” and he is ready to forego PAT (profit after tax) in return for another PAT which he said stands for “Peace of mind And Tranquility of life”.
Mustapha’s wish is to build affordable homes within the range of RM70,000 to RM80,000 in urban areas for the B40 group. However, this can only materialise with the support of the government.
The houses would cater to those earning between RM1,800 and RM2,000.
To ensure only those who deserve get the house, Mustapha has suggested that the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Agency monitor the balloting of the units.
He hopes other developers, too, can do the same to help those with small income and in need of a property.
The endeavour to own a house in city areas by those earning below the average income could be possible if all property developers gave a helping hand in making the goal a reality, he said.
This would also be made possible with the help of federal and state governments and local councils, he added.
Mustapha also provides early childhood education in BelumTemengor through his foundation to give the Orang Asli community there education opportunities.
“Unlike you, Mustapha, we served with all our hearts to protect the nation, but when we retired we got nothing. You, on the other hand, became rich and were well respected. But, I’m sure you came to us because of God,” Mustapha was told by the Orang Asli.
“Can you imagine the feeling you get when you do good,” said Mustapha.