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KUALA LUMPUR – The SME and Entrepreneurs Business Awards (SEBA) has recognised PETRA Group chairman Datuk (Dr) Vinod Sekhar as Entrepreneur of the Year: Sustainability & Green Industry for its seventh edition.
The awards ceremony was officiated by newly-minted Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil and was graced by Suriani Ahmad, secretary-general of the Entrepreneur and Cooperatives Development Ministry. Hosted by Yayasan Usahawan Malaysia, the SEBA 2022 Central Grand Awards was held on December 8, 2022, at Shangri-La Hotel, Kuala Lumpur.
The award acknowledges the many years Vinod has dedicated himself as chairman of PETRA Group in leading sustainability initiatives such as modular homes, rail, and green rubber.
Last year, he was feted as the Person of The Year by AsiaOne Magazine. The consecutive recognitions by industry leaders highlight Vinod’s unwavering commitment to bringing positive changes to people’s lives, impacting communities, and thereby making a substantial difference and inclusive changes in the socio-economic paradigm.
“This award means a lot to me because it is the first recognition I am receiving from Malaysia after a long time.
“I am proud and touched to receive this accolade. However, I accept it on behalf of the entire Petra Group, as it comes on the back of having an amazing team at my side,” said Vinod.
He emphasised that sustainability is the only path forward and is a strong advocate for social capitalism.
“Some people get confused when I say I am a social capitalist. But true capitalism is social capitalism, which is about sustainable wealth creation.
“Social capitalism is about ensuring that the environment, ecosystem, and community you are in thrives with you,” he said during an interview with The Vibes.
He said he has brought this vision to reality through the many endeavours parked under PETRA Group such as the Good Capitalism Forum and the Vinod Sekhar Foundation.
“It supports healthier, more sustainable economies, and ultimately builds better nations. It would be amazing if everyone could do something, however small, to help uplift the communities that we are in.”
The apple does not fall far from the tree after all, and Vinod follows in the footsteps of his late father, Tan Sri B.C. Sekhar, who single-handedly modernised Malaysia’s rubber and palm oil industries.
Selection for the SEBA awards is made through a vigorous process of research, recommendations, polls, data evaluation, and picks by a panel that includes past winners.
A total of 55 prestigious awards were given to exemplary entrepreneurs as a reward for their outstanding performance and innovative efforts throughout the year.
Other honorees include local actor and model Wawa Zainal, her husband and actor Aeril Zafrel, local celebrity Datuk Mizal Zaini (AC Mizal), TikTok entrepreneur Hosni Mubarak Elarab, as well as Malaysia’s most successful brands such as Uncle Don’s, Hartalega, and more.
SEBA is an annual initiative organised by Yayasan Usahawan Malaysia and curated by Xhale Asia (M) Sdn Bhd.
Past winners included luminaries from the industry, such as Datuk Sri Siti Nurhaliza (Entrepreneur of The Year 2021), Kamarul A. Muhamed (Entrepreneur of The Year 2020) and Tan Sri Lee Kim Yew (Lifetime Achievement Award 2018). – The Vibes, December 9, 2022
