118th Akademi Laut Malaysia (ALAM) Convocation

Akademi Laut Malaysia (ALAM), Kuala Sungai Baru, Melaka
Thursday, 26 April 2018

Bismillahirrahmanirrahim
Assalamualaikum wa Rahmatullahi Wabarakatuh
Salam Sejahtera
Dan Salam 1 Malaysia.

Yang Berbahagia Dato’ Hj. Baharin Dato’ Abdul Hamid,
Ketua Pengarah, Jabatan Laut Malaysia,

Yang Berbahagia Dato’ Abdul Halim Mohyiddin,
Pengerusi MISC Berhad,

Yang Berbahagia Dato’ Halipah Esa,
Pengerusi Akademi Laut Malaysia (ALAM),

Yang Berusaha Encik Yee Yang Chien,
Presiden dan Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif Kumpulan MISC Berhad,

Yang Berusaha Encik David Fredrick,
Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif ALAM,

Ahli-Ahli Lembaga Pengarah MISC Berhad dan Lembaga Pengarah ALAM,

Para Penaja dan Dif-Dif Kehormat,

Warga kerja MISC dan ALAM,

Dan yang diraikan – para Graduan serta ibubapa dan keluarga yang dikasihi sekalian.

Alhamdulillah, marilah kita memanjatkan kesyukuran ke hadrat Allah Subhanahu Wata’ala kerana di atas limpah kurnia serta izinNya jua, kita dapat bersama-sama hadir di Majlis Konvokesyen Akademi Laut Malaysia (ALAM) kali ke 118 pada hari ini.

2. Saya ingin merakamkan setinggi-tinggi penghargaan kepada pihak Lembaga dan Pengurusan ALAM kerana sudi menjemput saya ke Majlis ini. Saya sudah lama mengenali ALAM, iaitu sejak tahun 1980 semasa saya bertugas di Unit Penyelarasan Perlaksanaan atau ICU di Jabatan Perdana Menteri; dan ALAM pada masa itu adalah di bawah kawal selia ICU. Alhamdulillah, hari ini saya dapat melihat kejayaan yang telah ditempa oleh ALAM dan amat berbesar hati dapat bersama-sama berkongsi hari penting ini dengan saudara-saudari semua. Untuk meraikan 200 graduan ALAM yang berjaya memperolehi diploma mereka sama ada dalam kajian nautika, dalam kejuruteraan laut ataupun program penarafan sijil. Tahniah kepada semua para graduan yang menerima diploma dan sijil masing-masing pada hari ini, serta keluarga mereka. Hari yang pastinya amat bermakna dalam hidup anda semua.

Para Graduan sekalian,

3. Setelah bertungkus lumus menimba ilmu serta pengalaman di laut, kini anda bergelar seorang graduan. Dari sebuah akademi laut yang diiktiraf industri sebagai salah satu pusat pendidikan dan latihan maritim yang terbaik di dunia. Sudah pasti, segala pengalaman pahit mahupun manis yang dilalui sebagai seorang pelajar di kampus ini telah menyediakan anda untuk menempuhi kehidupan yang lebih mencabar. Terutama sekali dalam mengendalikan kehidupan di laut.

4. Harapan kami untuk setiap anak didik yang melangkah keluar dari Majlis ini amatlah tinggi. Harapan ALAM adalah kejayaan dan yang terbaik untuk semua anak didiknya. Supaya dapat membina legasi yang bermanfaat. Yang gemilang dan berterusan. Yang pastinya, menjadi kebanggaan bukan sahaja diri sendiri, tetapi lebih dari itu, kebanggaan keluarga dan ALAM, malah kebanggaan Negara. Graduan yang sentiasa mengingati asal usul mereka, yang akan memberi balik lebih dari apa yang diterima. Baik kepada ibu bapa, ALAM atau Negara.

Graduating Class,

5. Today is an excellent time to reflect, celebrate your accomplishments, and look to the future with hope and full of optimism. I am sure that you have chosen to study at ALAM because you discovered that this is your true passion. To live the life of a seaman. I believe the training that you have acquired at ALAM has transformed you into who you are today, confident young men and women, respectable officers who are now ready to take the maritime industry and bring it to the next level. This is a defining moment for all of you. It is a day for celebration – a day when you look back on the many challenges you have overcome, and look forward to those that lie ahead, knowing that you have the skills and knowledge needed to meet them. It is a day that you never forget.

6. No doubt the time will come in your own careers when you look back to today and are amazed at how far you have travelled, and how much you have achieved. That is the power of a great education: by turning you into a lifelong learner, it makes it possible to adapt, to grow and to do what you once would have thought inconceivable. As I look at you today, it reminds me vividly of my own graduation in 1974; of why I chose to join the Public Service. To answer my calling! It has been an incredible journey for me, and the lesson of my life is pretty simple. It’s not what people say about you that matters, it’s what you believe about yourself! As you embark on this exciting journey that will take you across the seven seas, my advice to you is take charge and plan your career carefully. Make a commitment to excel in this field of your chosen career. Aim for excellence, quality and distinction in every task, large or small. In fact, be the best that you can be.

7. In charting your career, remember 3 things:

7.1 First, Be Brave! Think and dream big. I can assure you that there will always be many amazing opportunities in front of you. Take advantage of these opportunities to expand your worldview and enrich your life with new experiences.

7.2 Second, Be passionate! As with everything else, your next path of choice will come with its fair share of ups and downs. Life is full of challenges. Passion is what it takes to overcome these highs and lows and eventually drive you, sustainably in the long term, towards your goals. You must always have the fire in your belly.

7.3 Third, Be Agile! I want you to have courage and do not be afraid to be fearless. Learn fast from mistakes and always strive to be better. In fact, the best lessons in our lives are learnt from mistakes.

Graduands,

8. When you begin your journey, you must always remember your values. Whatever you do, act with honesty and with integrity. Regardless of your chosen career, you are only as good as your word. In any career, character and strong values mean not cutting corners. Character matters. So do what is right, even though doing the right thing is difficult. And you must uphold integrity to the highest level. Not only when people are watching. Integrity is doing the right thing particularly when no one is watching. In realising your dreams, remember to always be kind to others, be humble and respectful to everyone regardless of their age, rank and position.

Graduating Class,

9. In whatever you do in life and in any decision you make – you must always give your best. It is an Amanah, a responsibility that is entrusted on you. There is no secret to achieve greatness. Excellence is the result of hard work. So work harder than everyone you know and do everything to the best of your ability and the best of your capability. ALAM has equipped you with the necessary skills, knowledge and discipline for your career choice. You have an obligation to push yourselves forward. To give nothing less than your best. In whatever you do. Consistently.

10. As you strive towards the goals in your life, it is important for you to recognise not only your own efforts but the efforts and sacrifices of those who have enabled and supported you along your journeys – your parents and family, teachers, ALAM and your Sponsors. The opportunity to pursue your education rarely comes without a cost to those around you, whether that cost be financial, or whether it involves sacrifices of time, or assuming responsibilities that allow you to focus on your studies. Always remember where you come from – your roots. As a seaman or seawoman, I am certain you are familiar with the story of Si Tenggang. Never ever become a Malin Kundang. As I now remind you, I am reminding myself to always remember the place I came from. And the people who made me. I will always remember the Government which gave me the scholarship since I was 10 that enabled me, a kampong boy from Cherok Paloh to become Chief Secretary to the Government and now the Chairman of PETRONAS. The one and only Fortune 500 from Malaysia.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

11. I am heartened to note that since 1977, for over four decades, this illustrious Academy continues to provide the industry with new generations of highly trained officers and seafarers to operate the merchant vessels that are critical to our country’s economic prosperity. This 118th Convocation Ceremony is a testimony that the Academy is fulfilling its objectives for which it was set up. To the faculty and staff in ALAM, thank you for your continuous commitment and dedication to see through the growth of the graduates throughout their time here. Keep up your excellent work in helping shape the maritime leaders of tomorrow.

12. And once again, thank you to the Management of ALAM, for honouring me to grace ALAM’s 118th convocation ceremony and for having my wife and I to be part of this celebration. I would also like to once again, congratulate and sincerely thank all the family members for the continuous support and encouragement you have given to your children.

13. Let me end by congratulating the Graduates once again. We are indeed very proud of you. Your future is in your hands. It is my hope that the knowledge and values earned throughout your studies in ALAM have nurtured and molded you to become a better person. With ALAM education, you are exquisitely prepared for what’s next. To know ALAM is to have a profound respect for what goes on here, to truly appreciate the character of the Academy and of its students. You have a running start on character and values because ALAM has instilled them into you. As seafaring professionals and future leaders of the maritime industry, you have important responsibilities ahead of you. Leverage on the education and the talent that you have developed to build a better world where people can share their common aspirations. Do remember that giving back is a way to live meaningful lives; certainly the joy of giving is much more spiritually rewarding than the act of receiving. Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world. Now it is up to you to prove it.

Congratulations and I wish you the best on your journey of life.

Wabillahi taufik wal-hidayah, Wassalamu’alaikum, Warahmatullahi wabarakatuh.

Thank you.