14
LUMEN | EVENTS
“
Once I made this decision
( commitment to
Singapore ), it set my direction ; it gave me a strong compass by which I made all my subsequent decisions ...
“
slums . He encountered non-schooling children whose parents had great difficulty navigating the systems and the processes — livelihood for example . That stirred his passion to offer help in the form of giving bags of rice to them . But he questioned the sustainability of his efforts .
When quizzed if life had turned out as he had expected , he responded , “ Interesting , our destiny sometimes takes a different turn and to expect to do all these things now , the answer is no . I would have known of course that I would go into the public service . I was in private practice and I did not find satisfaction , simply because I was working for money , for a client , whereas in public service I was working for the values of justice , right and wrongs , and to bring a certain sense of equilibrium . What the bible calls respite - you do what is right , when there is wrong , you bring hope when there is despair , you bring peace where there is none .”
Relating to the young audience how they should maintain high aspirations , “ The high respect that you have for life , it ’ s like when you see another human being walking next to you . There is the awareness and consciousness that this person is , within Catholic terms , made in the image of God , that ’ s the inspiration for you . Even when you see someone of a lowly occupation for example you will know that this person is the image of God ... You are engaged with a human being because he is a person like you and I . So that has to be the inspiration that you start with I think with human life .”
Mr Tony Chew is the current Chairman of the Singapore Business Federation and has been instrumental in various start-ups in the region including Jetstar Asia and KFC Vietnam . He was conferred the Public Service Star in 2008 and NUS Outstanding Service Award 2011 for his contributions as Chairman of the Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School Singapore .
Despite his numerous achievements , Mr Chew has never forgotten his roots .
“ Where was I in my early years ? I was very poor and very humble . My father was a smalltime contractor and my mother worked as a housekeeper to feed nine children . When I was in primary school , I was so malnourished that the principal , Brother Gabriel , gave me a bottle of milk each day and made me drink it in front of him . Perhaps he felt that if I didn ’ t drink it I may have brought it home to share it with my eight siblings .”
His journey has been characterised by three factors .
“ First of all , I had a plan , a target , a vision – perhaps just a dream . Secondly , I didn ’ t do it alone ; I had mentors , partners and colleagues , some of whom are here today . And thirdly , I had a strong sense of commitment .”
He considers venturing into areas outside his normal domain , working with a wide diversity of outstanding medical and academic leaders in the Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School as his education . In fact it is his ‘ great satisfaction ’ in his later life . Though others may perceive him as
lucky , he values commitment , a plan , and a lot of help from others . He had committed himself in his youth to be a successful businessman , be an owner of a company , and be of service to the community . Since then , he started to plan , acquire skills , and master resources . This allowed him to be at the right place , the right time , and with the right skills and resources , to finally start his own business . This was much more important than luck .
Regardless if one is a leader or a follower , he asserts it is important to ‘ maintain the highest integrity and always be credible because that is how people will gauge whether they trust you , especially in businesses .’
Mr Chew attributes the success of his life journey to many people : “ My life helpers , my mentors who inspired and taught me , partners in many countries who helped me start my overseas ventures and a strong team of young colleagues . They believed in my plan , shared my vision and my hopes for the future . They all played a critical part in my life ’ s journey . Without them , I would not be here today . Lastly , I made a commitment to Singapore . This was my life ’ s most faithful decision . Once I made this decision , it set my direction ; it gave me a strong compass by which I made all my subsequent decisions , otherwise I may not have planned well . I may not have been able to achieve my goals and I could not have made the long journey from my secondary school days in SJI , drinking free milk , to speaking with you today .”