Kenanga founder shares her life stories in a memoir

Tengku Noor Zakiah hopes to inspire young women to pursue their ambitions and dreams. Photos: Filepic

Nonagenarian Tan Sri Tengku Noor Zakiah Tengku Ismail has chalked up many business milestones in her life.

In the 1960s, her name went down in history as the first female Bumiputera stockbroker. By 1973, she had co-founded K&N Kenanga Sdn Bhd, now known as Kenanga Investment Bank Bhd.

The Kelantanese woman has always had a keen business sense from young.

She was about seven years old when she made money selling jasmine flowers. That sweet scent of profit fuelled her passion to venture into business.

A young Tengku Noor Zakiah at her dress shop, Coronet, in Kota Baru in the 1950s. Photo: Tengku Noor Zakiah Tengku Ismail

By the time Tengku Noor Zakiah was 10 years old, she was earning extra pocket money stitching baju kebaya, and selling peanuts in school.

“I sold jasmine garlands, and I made baju kebaya tops back then. During my time, there were few opportunities for women. Most often, young women would typically go into sewing and hairdressing, and I saw these areas as openings that I could venture into.

“At the same time, I was able to build my work ethics, which I learnt from observing my parents. The experience I gained over the years opened my eyes to business opportunities, which led me to explore the world of finance and eventually set up Kenanga Investment Bank, ” said Tengku Noor Zakiah, 93, in an email interview recently.

She shares many heart-warming stories in her memoir, Tengku Noor Zakiah: Malaysia’s Pioneering Stockbroker, which was released last year in conjunction with her 93rd birthday.

The book provides Tengku Noor Zakiah with an opportunity to celebrate her life and thank the individuals who made an impact on her life.

Tengku Noor Zakiah shares many heart-warming stories in her memoir.

“I have been fortunate to have met many people from all over the world who have changed my life. Many people have stood by my side through the ups and downs of my career. It has been an emotional yet fulfilling journey for my family and me.

“God has blessed me with a long life, and now is the time for me to mull over my past, my successes, and what they mean to me, ” said Tengku Noor Zakiah, who wrote the book with her daughter, Datin Dr Fadillah Merican, and the late writer, Shareem Amry.

Her 128-page book, published by MPH Publishing, is divided into 32 chapters. It encompasses her ancestry dating back to an 18th century Patani warlord, and her connections with the Kelantan royal family.

There are recollections of her life growing up in a rubber estate in Kelantan and suffering hardships during the Japanese Occupation. A sizeable portion of the book focuses on her business ventures which include running a dress shop called Coronet in Kota Bharu and retail shop Silver & Silk in Kuala Lumpur, and co-founding Kenanga Investment Bank.

“Back then, doing something different from the traditional role of the young Malay woman was unusual, but I went on to do it.

“Things were different in the 1960s and 70s, as there were very few Malaysian female businesswomen. The situation is much better (since then), and I see more women in business and finance. It is good to know that the gender gap is getting smaller between male and female professionals, ” said Tengku Noor Zakiah, who was the first woman to be a member of the Kuala Lumpur Stock Exchange in 1964.

Her secret of success, says Tengku Noor Zakiah, is her ability to learn from situations and her own mistakes.

In the book, the matriarch of K&N Kenanga Sdn Bhd shares stories of how she juggled work and family commitments.

“When I started as a businesswoman, I knew that it was important that work shouldn’t get in the way of family time. Maintaining a good work-life balance requires constant adjustments, compromises and sacrifices.

“A good starting point would be to identify your priorities. After that, you will learn how to be mindful of your relationships, ” said the mother of seven.

Tengku Noor Zakiah added that the secret of her success is her ability to continuously learn from situations and her mistakes.

“I am satisfied with just trying new things and seizing opportunities when they come along. You need to take that first step towards your goals; when you do that, you attract what you expect, ” says Tengku Noor Zakiah, who was conferred the 2014 Lady Extraordinaire Award by the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry.

She hopes her book will inspire women to follow their dreams and hopes.

“I see my memoir as the story of my life. If my book inspires young women to go out and follow their ambitions, then that is wonderful.

“I have always done everything I do with commitment and dedication, and if that is what my book conveys, I am happy.”