IIUM'S 31st CONVOCATION - CONFERMENT OF HONORARY DOCTORATE

Acceptance Speech for the Conferment of an Honorary Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Philosophy of Management for Tan Sri Dato' Seri Sanusi bin Junid, the 4th President of IIUM, during the 31st Convocation Ceremony of International Islamic University Malaysia. 

Date: Saturday 25th Muharram, 1437H - 7th November, 2015
Venue: Cultural Activity Centre, Gombak Main Campus, IIUM.

SALUTATION

Assalaamu'alaikum Warahmatullaahi Wabarakaaatuh

Mengadap Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia
Sultan Pahang.  

Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah Al Musta'in Billah Ibni Al Marhum Sultan Abu Bakar Riayatuddin Al Muadzam Shah, DKP.

Ketua Perlembagaan, Unitiversiti Islam Antarabangsa Malaysia.

(The Constitutional Head of IIUM)

Duli Yang Maha Mulia Sultanah Pahang.

Sultanah (Dr.) Hajjah Kalsom.

Canselor Universiti LimKokWing.

Ampun Tuanku, Beribu-ribu Ampun,
Sembah Patik Harap Di Ampun.

Patik Mohon Limpah Perkenan
Kebawah Duli Tuanku
Untuk Mengalu-ngalukan Tetamu Yang Turut Hadir
Seterusnya Mengendalikan Acara Di Dalam Bahasa Inggeris.

Ampun Tuanku.

Yang Amat Berhormat Dato' Sri Di Raja
Haji Adnan Bin Haji Yaakob
Menteri Besar of Pahang.

Honorable Tan Sri Dato' Seri Utama Dr. Rais Yatim
President of International Islamic University Malaysia
and Honorable Puan Sri Datin Seri Masnah Rais.

Yang Amat Mulia Kerabat-Kerabat Bergelar.

Honorable Prof. Dato' Sri Dr. Zaleha Kamaruddin
Rector of International Islamic University Malaysia.

Yang Mulia Kerabat-Kerabat.

Honorable Tan Sri Sidek Hassan,
5th President of IIUM and Honorable Puan Sri Dato' Wan Noorlina Wan Hussin.

Prof. Dr. Torla Haji Hassan
Chairman of IIUM 31st Convocation.

Excellencies and Honorable IIUM Board of Governors, Ambassadors and High Commissioners.

Yang Berhormat Exco-Exco and Ahli-Ahli Juma'ah Pangkuan Di Raja Negeri Pahang.

IIUM Senate Members, Representatives of Institute of Higher Learning from Malaysia and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Countries.

Honorable Tan Sri-Tan Sri, Dato'-Dato',

Honorable Guests and Representatives of Companies.

The Academic and Administrative Staff of IIUM,

Graduands of The 31st International Islamic University Malaysia Convocation.

Happy and Grateful Parents.

Members of The Media.

Ladies and Gentlemen.

ACCEPTANCE

Thank you for the conferment, upon me,  of an Honorary Doctorate Degree of Philosophy in Management.

I humbly accept this conferment, as a great honour, especially when it is from IIUM, a prestigious international educational institution which I believe is one of the few pillars of hope for the Muslim world.

I am glad for having served this university for about 8 years during which period I have met many new friends among Muslim scholars.

As I have had no opportunity to officially say thank you for having me here, among you, for so many years, I take this opportunity to express my gratitude on this occasion.

For all my faults, I apologize.

UNSOLVED GLOBAL PROBLEMS OF THE UMMAH

Whenever one talks of a university it is always said to be an institution that grooms the leaders of the future.

The youths of today are the leaders of tomorrow

Looking at the global problems of the day I noted the following written sentiments which were expressed by thinkers as far back as 700 BC.

HESIOD IN 700 BC

IN 700 BC, WHICH IS 2,715 YEARS AGO, Hesiod (a contemporary of Homer) said:

'I see no hope for the future of our people if they are dependent on the youths of today.

All modern youths are reckless beyond words.

When I was young, we were taught to be respectful of elders, but the youths of today is the opposite; totally disrespectful..'

SOCRATES IN 300 BC

IN 300 BC, i.e. 400 years after HESIOD, SOCRATES said:

'The young now love only luxury.

They have bad manners, contempt for authority, and show disrespect for their elders.'

PETER THE HERMIT IN 1274 AD

IN 1274 AD, JUST 741 YEARS AGO PETER THE HERMIT said:

'The world is passing through trouble times.

The young people of today think of nothing but themselves ....

They talk as if they knew everything, and what passes for wisdom with us is foolishness to them.'

FREDERICH ENGELS IN 1844 AD

IN 1844 AD, just 171 YEARS AGO, FREDERICH ENGELS said:

'In a pub there sat 40 to 50 young people of both sexes,

nearly all under 17 years old ....

Crimes of a savage and desperate sort are a common occurrence.

The only thing these youths are agreed upon is on the fashion of ridiculing or ignoring all former knowledge.'

Frederick Engels wrote his opinion only 171 years ago and it carries the same message as those written by Peter The Hermit 741 years ago, by Socrates 2,315 years ago and by Hesiod 2,715 years ago.

CONTINUEING DOUBTS OF ELDERS OVER THE YOUNG

In other words, all the problems which faces the youths of the world today is not new.

The worry of the elders on the ability of future leaders to undertake their responsibilities for their families, communities and nations have been there and never repealed over time.

DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEMS OF THE MUSLIM WORLD

After the fall of the Ottoman Empire it was diagnosed, by some Muslim scholars, that such fall was due to the wrong teachings of Islam.

As such, in searching for the right teachings we have deviated more than ever from unity based on righteousness and good moral values.

It was much later that we realized of our neglect for building the 'Iqra' Culture' among Muslims, and our fondness for wealth and luxury was the cause of our fall.

Only recently did we realize even education, without moral values, has become a source for bigger problems.

This is the reason that I said IIUM could be the last hope of the Muslim Ummah.

As a place where we acquire knowledge without neglecting moral values.

The moral values that we learn from the Qur'an

PRESIDENT PARK CHUNG HEE THE BUDDHISST

In South Korea their development began with President Park Chung Hee. He was a Buddhist.

Park Chung Hee became the President of South Korea on 17th December, 1963 after winning the election in October, of the same year.

He visited Malaysia immediately after his installation and attended a briefing at the Ministry of National and Rural Development whose minister, at that time, was also the Deputy Prime Minister, the late Tun Abdul Razak.

On the board in the operation room of the Ministry of National and Rural Development was a sentence from the Holy Quran which reads -

'Innallaha la yu ghairuma bi qaumin hatta yu ghairuma bi anfusihim' which means:

'God Shall Not Change The Fate of Man until They Change Themselves'.

It meant self-help to President Park Chung Hee and that was the idea that he promoted behind his 'Saemul Undong' program.

President Park read and understood only one sentence of the Quran, but was inspired to plan and execute a program for the benefit of his people, whereas we read the whole Quran many times but never knew how to make a successful effort of its teachings and wisdom.

CHARLIE THE CHRISTIAN

At a multi-storey building in New York City was an Afro-American who had been at its entrance for 25 years. He was called Charlie.

Besides the entrance was a Havana tobacco shop with Robert as its Hispanic shopkeeper.

At 9.30 am every working day the shopkeeper Robert watched Charlie the guard wishing well to the son of the owner of the building. He had been wishing 'Good Morning' and 'Good Evening' for more than 10 years without getting any respond from the well-groomed tall and handsome young man who is the owner's son.

One fine morning Robert the tobacconist overheard Charlie the guard wishing 'Good morning Sir, please accept my apology for anything wrong that I have done over the period of my service'.

There was no reply.

When Robert asked Charlie as to the reason for Charlie not stopping from wishing the 'son of the rich and powerful' despite not getting any respond for over 10 years, Charlie replied,

'My mother is a teacher and she taught me to respect my bosses; as such, I do not stop respecting the 'rich son' as I do not wish to accept him as my teacher in place of my mother. I do not wish to be rude when my mother taught me to be polite.'

MAHATMA GANDHI THE HINDU

Mahatma Gandhi was a Hindu.

He was admired in India, and the oppressed all over the world.

Even children had a strong liking for him.

On one occasion a mother thought that the only way for his son stopping from eating chocolates was by getting Gandhiji to advise him not to do so.

Upon hearing that Mahatma Gandhi was not too far away, the mother walked with the son for many miles to see Gandhi.

When her turn, in the cue, to meet Gandhi came, she brought the son and requested Gandhi to advise the son to stop eating chocolates.

Gandhi got hold of the boy's hand and thought for a while, then told the mother to bring the son again after a period of one month.

The mother was disgusted that Gandhi did not give the simple advise despite her having travelled on foot for quite a distance. Out of respect she said nothing and promised to come back in one month's time.

One month later the mother and son arrived at Mahatma Gandhi's place. Upon seeing the boy Gandhi cut the cue and asked the boy to come forward.

Gandhi held the boy tight and said, 'My boy, please promise to me that you will stop eating chocolates'.

The boy replied, 'I promise.'

The mother turned to Gandhi after the boy had turned away smiling happily, and asked, 'Why didn't you tell him the same thing on my last visit one month ago.'

Mahatma Gandhi replied, 'I could not advice on your last visit because, at that time, I was also eating chocolates.'

SUMMARY

From the above stories one learns that -

a) If President Park Chung Hee, the Buddhist, who knew only one sentence of the Qur'an, could initiate a program that stimulates his nation's growth, one should realize that the Quran is not just to be read but should be a 'deen' to live by. 

b) Charlie, the Christian, taught us that a mother is a better teacher than an ill-mannered supposedly educated employer. 

c) Mahatma Gandhi, the Hindu, teaches us that one should lead by example and can only forbid others from doing what one has stopped doing.

All the above personalities were in the shadow of my Philosophy of Management.

ADVISE TO THE THE PhD GRADUATES

The doctorate degrees earned by graduates today is evident of them having a thirst for knowledge. But this thirst should not be quenched as those who drank salt water requiring for more of it. Continue with your reading habit in search of more knowledge while striving for wisdom. It is only when the iqra' culture has been ingrained into the habits of Muslims will there be appearing some light at the end of our current very dark and long tunnel.

Thank you to all,

Menjunjung kasih Tuanku,

Wabillahittaufik Wassalamu'alaikum.

SANUSI BIN JUNID 
7th November, 2015

* Special Citation on the Honorary Doctorate Degree recipient by the Rector of IIUM, Prof. Dato’ Sri Dr. Zaleha Kamaruddin

HONOURABLE TAN SRI DATO’ SERI SANUSI BIN JUNID

HONORARY DEGREE OF DOCTOR IN MANAGEMENT

Tan Sri Sanusi Junid was born on 10 July 1943 in Yan, Kedah. He received his early education at the Sekolah Melayu Yan from 1949 until 1953. His secondary education started at the Ibrahim Secondary School in Sungai Petani, and he was there from 1954 until 1956. Showing great academic potential as an excellent high achiever, Tan Sri was transferred to the famed Malay College Kuala Kangsar (MCKK), Perak in 1957. He left the MCKK in 1963.

As a budding scholar with a growing passion for the acquisition of knowledge, Tan Sri Sanusi decided to pursue his further studies at the Institute of Bankers, London. He went on to obtain a Certificate in Foreign Trade and Foreign Exchange from the Institute of Export, University of London. Between the years 1969 and 1970, Tan Sri immersed himself in one of his great passions in life, mastery of foreign languages. He studied at the Berlitz Language School in Germany. To deepen his experiential knowledge of the industry in which he had chosen to excel, Tan Sri attended practical courses conducted by the Bishopgate Chartered Bank, London.

Tan Sri Sanusi is married to Puan Sri Nila Inangda Manyam Keumala, and they have been blessed with seven lovely children, three sons and four daughters. They are Akhramsyah Muammar Ubaidah, Attikah Ummi Chadijah, Amanda Ruhul Hamidah, Aliyah Nur Zafirah, Athirah Baina Raidah, Azfar Nur Faruqi and Akhari Aya Maziz.

In 1963, when he was only 20, Tan Sri Sanusi began his career as a Training Officer at the Standard Chartered Bank, Seremban. He quickly rose from the rank and file and was promoted Senior Manager (Loans Section) at the Chartered Bank, Kuala Lumpur in 1971. In 1975, he was appointed the Director of the National Savings Bank (Bank Simpanan Nasional) and Chairman of Insan Diranto Bhd. Two years later, he was appointed the Chairman of Tugu Insurance Sdn. Bhd. and also Chairman of Obanto Management Consultancy Sdn. Bhd. Apart from these high profile appointments, Tan Sri Sanusi was also the General Manager of Shamelin Cooperative.

In recognition of his vast experience in the academic world, Tan Sri was selected to become a member of the Board of Directors of Universiti Teknologi Malaysia in 1978. Then in 1982, he was made a member of the Universiti Malaya Council. A year later, he was appointed the Chairman of the National Day Celebrations and a member of the Malaysian Business Council. Tan Sri Sanusi became the fourth President of the International Islamic University Malaysia (UIAM) in February 2000.

In addition to his appointments to important corporate and academic positions, Tan Sri has also served the Malaysian Government with distinction in several national councils and committees, amongst them: he was a member of National Youth Consultative Council, a member of the FELDA Board, National Consultative Council on Industrial Training, a member of the National Advisory Council on Consumer Protection, a member of the Parliamentary Accounts Committee (PAC), and a member of the Bumiputera Investment Coordination Committee, and a member of the National Action Council. Tan Sri Sanusi was also a member of the Armed Forces Fund Board (LTAT), President of Afro Asian Rural Reconstruction Organization (AARRO), Chairman of the Kedah Economic Development Authority (KEDA), Chairman of the Kedah State Economic Development Corporation (SEDC), Chairman of the Permodalan Kedah Berhad and the State Islamic Foundation. Tan Sri was also a member of the Langkawi Development Authority (LADA). 

Tan Sri Sanusi also played an active role in associations. He was a founding member of the Muslim Youth of Malaysia (ABIM), and was appointed to the position of Vice President during the period 1971-1973. In 1973 he took office as the President of the Youth Clubs Association of Malaysia (MAYC). Three years later, he was made the Chairman of the Association of Malaysian Malay Printers. In 1996, when he was holding office as the Menteri Besar of Kedah, he was also the President of the Kedah Football Association (KFA) and President of the Aceh Association, Malaysia.

In his illustrious career of service to clubs and organizations, Tan Sri Sanusi was once the Secretary of the Malay Chamber of Commerce, Negeri Sembilan. He was also a member of the Malay Chamber of Commerce, Malaysia in 1976, a member of the Advisory Board of the National Youth Cooperative (KOBENA) and the Khalifah Besar of the Board for the Traditional Art of Seni Gayong in 1982.

 Tan Sri Sanusi became involved in politics when he became a member of UMNO Seremban in 1963, the same year he first started work. His foray into politics was characterized by an accelerated but yet smooths transitional process of moving up to the top echelons of the party leadership. A year after registering as a member of UMNO, Tan Sri was appointed the Secretary of UMNO Youth, Seremban Branch, and not long after, the Treasurer of the UMNO East Seremban branch in 1966. Later he was entrusted with the task of simultaneously shouldering the responsibility of two official posts, that of Secretary and Seremban UMNO Information Chief in 1967. While he was in London to further his studies in 1969, he was the Information Chief of the London UMNO Club.

In the 5^th General Elections in 1974 when he was only 31 years old, Tan Sri Sanusi was an election candidate in the Jerai parliamentary seat, and won the seat without contest. He was then appointed the Deputy Head of the Jerai UMNO Division in 1975. For the 6^th General Elections, in 1978, Tan Sri was nominated to contest the Jerlun-Langkawi parliamentary seat and, once again, defeated the PAS candidate at the time. With that electoral success, he was given the responsibility of being the Kedah UMNO Information Chief.

Given Tan Sri’s leadership qualities, it was not long after that the then Prime Minister, Tun Hussein Onn appointed him to hold several important posts in the Cabinet. In 1978, he was made the Deputy Minister of Land and Regional Development and after that, 1in 1980, he took on the portfolio of Deputy Home Minister.

In 1981, he was made a full Cabinet minister with his appointment as the Minister of National and Rural Development. He held the post until 1986. In the same year, Tan Sri was also appointed to the following posts: Chairman, Information Committee, UMNO Malaysia, Chairman, Information Bureau, UMNO Malaysia, and member of the Supreme Council, UMNO Malaysia.

In the 7^th General Elections in 1982, Tan Sri won the Jerlun-Langkawi parliamentary seat and was re-elected as a member of the Supreme Council, UMNO Malaysia. He was then appointed to the post of Secretary-General of UMNO Malaysia in 1984. In 1986, Tan Sri became the Minister of Agriculture and Head of Jerlun-Langkawi Division. Tan Sri went on to become an UMNO Vice-President in 1990.

Tan Sri then left the Cabinet to contest as a candidate in a Kedah state assembly seat. Having won the seat, he was appointed the 7^th Menteri Besar of Kedah, Darul Aman on 16 June 1996. He held the post until November 1999. As a state assemblyman, he had held the following two key portfolios, namely the EXCO for the Religion and Education Committee, and Kedah State Executive Council. In 2000, he became the state assemblyman for Kuah, Langkawi. Currently, Tan Sri is a member of the Supreme Council, Association of former UMNO Elective Representatives (PAKKU).

In recognition of his immerse contributions and dedicated service to the state and nation, Tan Sri Sanusi was bestowed numerous awards and honorific titles: amongst them Dato’ Setia DiRaja Kedah (D.S.D.K.), Darjah Gemilang Seri Melaka (D.G.S.M.), Seri Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah (S.S.S.A.), Seri Setia DiRaja Kedah (S.S.D.K.), dan Sri Indera Mahkota Pahang (S.I.M.P.) and Panglima Setia Mahkota (P.S.M.) which carries the title Tan Sri. He was also appointed an honorary Professor at Nanjing University, China, in 1996 for his outstanding achievements in the field of agriculture.