PETALING JAYA: The Star Outstanding Business Awards (SOBA) winners all acknowledge the importance of their team for their successful wins on April 8.
This award event, which was attended by Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Minister Steven Sim as the guest of honour, seeks to recognise the nation’s SME achievements and celebrate their successes.
It also gave these intrepid winners a platform for them to show how their innovation, resilience and growth overcame the rising challenges to mark accomplishments in their industry.
MR Academy International Sdn Bhd
MR Academy International founder and managing director Marcus Chew said winning the award meant a lot to him and his team.
The Male Entrepreneur of the Year Award winner below RM25mil tier added, “We have worked through this for the past three years so this is a big recognition for us.
“We know where we are at now so in the future we can strive to do better for our customers and help the community.”
Chew explained that his leadership philosophy is putting “people before profit.”
“I believe when people grow, the business will grow as well. And I tend to focus on building strong systems, developing leaders and making sure our team can deliver real results for our clients.”
To remain competitive, Chew said he is focused on strengthening his cash flow; building a lean, efficient team using technology and artificial intelligence (AI); staying close to his customers; and adapting quickly to market changes.
MR Academy is also the gold winner for the Best in Customer Service, the silver winner in both Best Innovation and Best in Marketing categories.
Hegira Sdn Bhd
For Hegira’s founder and chief executive officer Suriyati Daman, winning the award for Outstanding Achievement for a Female Entrepreneur below RM25mil is important as it acknowledges female leaders.
Her company, which manufactures and retails modest fashion hijabs hopes winning the title would inspire her team and also those she is coaching in business, so that “... they can also achieve it if they want to and they put their hard hard work in.”
“This award is validation from the industry because so far it’s one of these awards that you know, that’s very respected that’s been around for a long time.”
Suriyati explained that her company prioritises purpose, agility, people development and customer obsession.
“At Hegira, we are clear that our role is to simplify women’s daily lives, and that purpose guides every decision we make. We stay deeply connected to our customers, constantly refining our products to solve real challenges.
At the same time, we remain agile, moving quickly and adapting to change. I also believe that sustainable growth comes from building people. As we scale, my focus is on developing leaders who can think independently, take ownership, and carry this DNA forward across the organisation.
Homlux Interior Furnishing Sdn Bhd
Second-time SOBA winner Homlux Interior Furnishing managing director Law Lee Kiau said receiving the Outstanding Achievement for a Female Entrepreneur award in the RM25mil and above tier would boost the company’s visibility and credibility.
“This award has given our team a high motivation and inspiration to do better,” said Law.
“Homlux is guided by core values – being passionate and determined; through learning, growth and integrity,” she said, adding that leadership is about empowering people and building a culture where individuals grow alongside the organisation.
She also stressed that leadership today must extend beyond financial performance.
“We have a responsibility to contribute positively to society and the environment.
“This is why we are progressively integrating ESG principles into our business practices, ensuring that our growth is not only sustainable, but also meaningful for the community and future generations.”
Law added that resilience and adaptability remain critical in a rapidly changing global environment.
From her Johor Baru headquarters and branches in Kuala Lumpur and Singapore, Homlux continues to diversify its market presence and stay agile through digital transformation, stronger supply chains and embedding sustainability within its business DNA.
Phytogaia Sdn Bhd
When Phytogaia won the Malaysian Business of the Year award for below RM25mil tier, advisor Leong Weng Hoong said: “The first thing that came to mind when we won were our employees. Because without them, we won’t be able to achieve what we have achieved so far.
“Talent is at the core of everything we do. We believe in building empowered teams who can think critically, act decisively and adapt quickly in a fast-changing environment.”
Leadership, he added, is about navigating complexity with clarity – staying disciplined, building the right capabilities and making bold yet thoughtful decisions for long-term growth.
Due to current geopolitical challenges and rising costs, Phytogaia plans to stay proactive, disciplined and adaptable.
The company also intends to diversify into new markets and regions while broadening its applications and business segments, strengthen its supply chain and commercial resilience, leverage its experience and on-the-ground insights, collaborate with key industry bodies and agencies and continue investing in the future.
Phytogaia also won two platinum awards for the Best Brand and Best Innovation categories.
ICE Holidays Sdn Bhd
Ice Holidays managing director Mita Lim had a pleasant surprise when the company swept up five awards – including the Malaysian Business of the Year award for RM25mil and above.
It also clinched a platinum for Elite Entrepreneur; two golds in Best Brand and Best Marketing categories; and a platinum achievement in the Best Male Entrepreneur award.
“Without my team, especially the GD team, we would not be where we are today,” he said in an interview.
He also expressed his appreciation to the company’s network of 848 travel agents across Malaysia, as well as its business partners and principals, including airlines and cruise operators.
“In our industry, relationships are everything. That’s why we chose to work closely with travel agents instead of competing with them from the start,” he said.
Lim said his approach has been simply put, “build together, grow together”.
“When our partners succeed, we succeed. At the same time, internally, I always remind the team to stay grounded, stay disciplined and think long term.”
He added that in facing today’s dynamic environment, the company has strengthened its business resilience by diversifying its products and markets, enhancing digital capabilities and maintaining strong partnerships.
SOBA 2025 is organised by Star Media Group (SMG) with Credit Guarantee Corporation Bhd, PKT Logistics Group Sdn Bhd,
RHB Bank
Bhd and U Mobile Sdn Bhd as main sponsors, Great Wall Motor Sales Malaysia Sdn Bhd as co-sponsor, the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation as the official trade promotion partner and SME Corp Malaysia as supporter.
It is audited by BDO while radio stations 988 and Suria are official media partners.
For details, call the SOBA hotline at 017-231 1789 or visit www.soba.com.my
