Opening Ceremony of Hong Bee Yamaha Star Center

Speech by Chief Minister of Penang
At The Opening Ceremony of Hong Bee Yamaha Star Center

23 June 2018

 No 59, Jalan Anson

Managing Director of Hong Bee Motors, Mr Justin Chuah

Managing Director of Hong Leong Yamaha Motor, Dato’ Jim Khor

Managing Director of Hong Bee Group of Companies, Mr Chuah Chuan Thye

Director of Hong Leong Yamaha Motor, Mr Shinsuke Yamaura

Director of Hong Leong Yamaha Motor Sdn Bhd, Shinsuke Yamaura

Director of Hong Bee Motors Sdn Bhd, Dato Chua Chuan Teong

Pengarah Jabatan Pengangkutan Jalan Pulau Pinang, Mohamat Johari bin Mat Nor

Ketua Jabatan Siasatan dan Penguatkuasaan Trafik Kontinjen Pulau Pinang, Supt Wan Sharudin bin Wan Omar.

Ketua Jabatan Siasatan dan Penguatkuasaan Daerah Timur Laut, DSP Mohamad Ridwan Bin Ishak

Dato-Dato and honourable guests.

Good morning.

I am pleased to be invited here in celebrating the launching of the first Yamaha Star Centre in Northern Malaysia.

I would first like to congratulate Hong Leong Yamaha Motor, the producer of Malaysia’s most popular Yamaha motorcycle on their significant 4-millionth rollout milestone earlier this year. It is the dedicated industry leaders such as you who contribute greatly to Malaysia’s automotive industry.

And it is the dedicated dealers such as Hong Bee Motors who help the producer achieve such high milestones. I am certain that Hong Bee Motor has brought great value in the local motor-vehicle supply chain. I was told that Hong Bee Motor is the nation’s first ever exclusive Yamaha motorcycle dealer. This is why we are standing here today celebrating the transformation of Hong Bee Motor headquarters into the first Yamaha Star Centre in Penang.

As it so happens, I met the MD of Hong Bee, Justin Chuah on a flight to KL. As we both also Penangites (although I born in KL), naturally we both had a lot to talk about. I realized Hong Bee Motors is part of a group of companies and that the group, Hong Bee, has also been conducting business in the building materials and consumer goods industry in Penang since the early 50s, long before Merdeka! It takes a lot of hard work to establish a company, especially back in the era when we were just beginning to find ourselves as a nation, let alone to grow a company through generations after that. To have worked in the construction and transport industry for so many decades, I am sure Hong Bee has seen and has contributed a lot to the growth of Penang’s development over the years.

And now we are all gathered here today to celebrate yet another milestone for Hong Bee. Indeed, the Yamaha Star Centre is the 1st of its kind in Northern Malaysia. I understand that as the Star Centre, Hong Bee Motors would be able to provide the best after sales service for Yamaha motorcycles. The new Star Centre is also designed to bring to life a fully integrated, brand new Yamaha lifestyle concept, offering live-stream events and a cafe among other fresh amenities, such as exclusive Yamaha lifestyle merchandise.

I'm looking forward to provide a more business friendly environment in Penang, while providing opportunities to both businessmen and job seekers. The change of government on May 9 has brought to the abolishing of 6% GST to a zero-rated one. This had led to the increase of buying power and ease the burden of consumers. Perhaps this is a good news for Hong Bee and Yamaha lovers too.

I am very proud of all our local business enterprises. I am confident that together with their hard work and dedication, Penang will have a brighter future ahead of us. I wish Hong Bee all best in their upcoming endeavors and I am sure they will continue to flourish in their field of work. Last but not least, I am especially excited for Hong Bee Motors today because as I understand, Malaysia’s very own MotoGP rider Hafizh Syahrin would be paying a visit later on! Now, without further ado, let the merriment begin!

Thank you.