Entrepreneur’s troubled past leads to founding of BMEC
KUCHING: Berkat Master Education Centre ( BMEC) founder AD Leong is a successful entrepreneur with a troubled past.
The 53-year-old director of Berkat Channel Sdn Bhd, Howe Sign Farm Sdn Bhd, and Dorcas Garments, opened BMEC this month at Naim Group of Companies’ flagship Naim Bintulu Paragon integrated development’s Street Mall.
A press release yesterday said Leong actively volunteers with nongovernmental organisations such as the Malaysian Drug Prevention Association (Pemadam), National Anti- Drugs Agency (AADK), and the Malaysian Crime Prevention Unit as a spokesman for their drug prevention campaigns.
“People often say your past is your greatest teacher and I couldn’t agree more. I made mistakes in my younger days and thankfully, I was given the chance to redeem myself and inspire others; and I have managed to do all that.
“For the past decade, I have worked very closely with youths through outreach programmes as well as motivational seminars. I have visited many schools and shared my story with them, hoping to inspire them and at the same time prevent them from making the same mistakes I did when I was younger. So when the opportunity to set up BMEC came along, I knew I had to take it up. This is my calling,” he said.
BMEC seeks to help young adults acquire necessary skill sets to become successful entrepreneurs.
The centre provides food handling courses, culinary classes, as well as basic agricultural and fi sheries training for youths and adults, especially those from underprivileged backgrounds.
“Learners will be taught by qualified trainers in these fields and will be given the opportunity to practise what they have learned at the farms owned by myself and my partners,” he explained.
“It is going to be a very interesting platform for them to learn and obtain hands- on experience because ultimately, that’s what makes the difference.”
BMEC also offers enrichment and tutoring programmes, as well as childcare services for younger
People often say your past is your greatest teacher and I couldn’t agree more. I made mistakes in my younger days and thankfully, I was given the chance to redeem myself and inspire others; and I have managed to do all that.
children.
Leong said parents today are under constant pressure to work long hours and take care of their children’s daily needs.
“With the rising cost of living, most families depend on dual incomes and parents will have no choice but to entrust others to care for their children instead. This is where BMEC comes in as we aim to provide the best care for the children enrolled with us and help ease the burden of their parents from having to juggle with work and childcare,” he said.
BMEC provides a comprehensive package of services ranging from tuition classes to other enrichment programmes to help children with their academic advancement as well as character building.
“BMEC is basically a one- stop centre that provides all types of childcare services including transportation. For parents who cannot collect their children after school, we are able to do so for a small fee and the children will eventually be brought to our centre where they are properly fed, rested, and watched.
“Our trained educators will further engage them in interesting developmental - appropriate activities and sensory play before they go home.
“Although the learning centre will only be fully operational early next year, parents are encouraged to register their children early as spaces are limited. Specially designed and equipped with computers, the learning centre will also house a library, a gymnasium, prayer room, as well as a private entrance and emergency exit installed with a Door Assist System and CCTVs to ensure the children’s comfort and safety,” Leong said.
He added the children will also be served nutritious halal meals and refreshments certified by the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (Jakim).
Naim regional general manager for Bintulu Abang Mahathir Mohamed welcomed the street mall’s new tenant, saying BMEC would ultimately benefit the community in Bintulu.
“It is not every day we meet people like Leong, who makes it his mission to go the extra mile in providing well-rounded childcare services for parents and children in Bintulu.
“We are also inspired by his training programmes for the youths and look forward to supporting the centre in ways we can,” he said.
Leong is equally excited about the opening of BMEC at Naim Street Mall saying his team surveyed various locations before deciding on Naim Bintulu Paragon due to its strategic location, space, and facilities.
“Besides being surrounded by large population catchments, the street mall also has 24-hour security and more than 1,500 car park bays. These are factors which will allow our learning centre to be operated within a conducive and safe environment,” said Leong.
For more information about BMEC learning centre and its programmes, call Leong on 0198158104.
For details on rental opportunities at Naim Street Mall, call the Bintulu Sales Gallery ( 086- 343881), Hendry Ling ( 0164156788), Calvin ( 017- 8010515), or Boniface ( 013- 8179695), or go to www.naimproperties.com.my or the Naim Properties Facebook page.
AD Leong, Berkat Master Education Centre (BMEC) founder