Song Hoi-see of Plaza Premium Lounge Management is EY Entrepreneur Of The Year 2018 Malaysia

• Will represent Malaysia at the EY World Entrepreneur Of The Year awards
• Four other awards presented for entrepreneurial excellence

SONG Hoi-see (pic), founder and chief executive officer of Plaza Premium Lounge Management Ltd was tonight named the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year (EOY) 2018 Malaysia at an event officiated by the Minister of Entrepreneur Development Mohd Redzuan Md Yusof. Song was picked from among the 15 top nominees vying for the title.

Song, 61, will represent Malaysia and join more than 60 other country winners to compete for the EY World Entrepreneur Of The Year (WEOY) award at the annual WEOY event in Monte Carlo next year.

Determined to “do something for the majority”, Song changed the perception that airport lounges are reserved for premium travellers only. He transformed the airport hospitality industry by establishing the Plaza Premium Lounge in the Kuala Lumpur and Hong Kong International Airports in 1998, thereby introducing the world's first pay-in/independent airport lounge for all travellers, regardless of airline or class of travel.

Two decades on, the group is now the benchmark and global specialist for bespoke premium airport services in over 160 locations, 42 international airports in 21 countries, serving over 14 million passengers annually.

Philip Rao, partner, Ernst & Young Advisory Services Sdn Bhd and EOY Malaysia Programme Director said, “Song Hoi-see is an exemplary role model for entrepreneurial excellence. Through his vision, courage and determination, he had disrupted the status quo and established new norms that enhanced the quality of life for the many air travellers who throng airports daily.

“Song has played a significant role in redefining the airport services industry, and continues to expand his footprint and raise the bar in enhancing travel experiences across the world.

“The panel of judges was unanimous in its decision and agreed that Song has built a purpose-driven enterprise that has positively impacted its business and created a better working world for air travellers, its employees and all other stakeholders. We have no doubt that Song will do us proud in Monte Carlo next year,” added Rao.

Acknowledging the importance of entrepreneurship and entrepreneurs, Abdul Rauf Rashid, Malaysia managing partner, Ernst & Young Advisory Services Sdn Bhd said, “Entrepreneurs are true visionary leaders who refuse to accept the world for what it is, but what it can be. They do not shy away from challenging traditional mindsets and defining new norms. They are game-changers who are not waiting for the future to happen, but instead are the ones creating it.

“Driven by courage, perseverance and resilience, these individuals are relentless in raising the bar and transforming the future, every step of the way. In the process, they drive growth and prosperity, inspire positive change, and help shape a better future for themselves and those around them,” he added.

In his address at the event, Mohd Redzuan reaffirmed the Government’s support and encouragement of entrepreneurship.

He said, “The Ministry of Entrepreneur Development hopes to collaborate with the relevant Ministries, Agencies, private sector organizations as well as NGOs on the newly-launched National Entrepreneurship Framework (NEF). We are presently collating views from all segments of the entrepreneur and SME communities to build on this Framework, and hope to be able to produce the National Policy on Entrepreneurship by the middle of next year.

“The Ministry of Entrepreneur Development will continue to pursue policies and programmes that are facilitative of local entrepreneurs and SMEs. We will also work with other relevant Ministries and Agencies to ensure that the right policy levers are put in place to enable the development of our entrepreneurs and SMEs, including placing greater emphasis on entrepreneurial education,” he continued.

In addition to the top honour, EY also presented four other awards for entrepreneurial excellence to the following individuals:

1. EY Emerging Entrepreneur Of The Year 2018 Malaysia – Aaron Patel, chief executive officer, iHandal Energy Solutions Sdn Bhd
2. EY Technology Entrepreneur Of The Year 2018 Malaysia – Johary Mustapha, chief executive officer, Forest Interactive Sdn Bhd
3. EY Woman Entrepreneur Of The Year 2018 Malaysia – Dr. Lim Li Sze, operations director, Medical Innovation Ventures Sdn Bhd
4. EY Master Entrepreneur Of The Year 2018 Malaysia – Mr. Song Hoi-see, founder & chief executive officer, Plaza Premium Lounge Management Ltd

The four recipients, as well as the overall country award recipient, were selected by an independent panel of judges guided by a set of global standard criteria.