Song Hoi-see named as EY Entrepreneur of the Year for Malaysia

Song Hoi-see, the founder of Plaza Premium Lounge Management, has been awarded this year’s EY Entrepreneur of the Year title for Malaysia.

As the winning announcements for Ernst & Young’s 2018 Entrepreneur of the Year schedule roll out all across the globe, with the three decades-strong programme now covering some 145-plus cities in 60 countries worldwide, the Malaysian recipient this year has been named as Song Hoi-see, the founder and CEO of Hong Kong-based independent airport lounge provider Plaza Premium Lounge Management.

Celebrating outstanding achievements in business leadership and vision, Hoi-see encapsulates the spirit of the EY Entrepreneur of the Year (EOY) award, having transformed and democratised the airport hospitality industry as the first to offer pay-in airport lounges for travelers independent of airline or travel class – launching the Plaza Premium Lounge concept in Kuala Lumpur and Hong Kong in 1998.

Since then, the group has grown to 42 international airports in 21 countries, catering to more than 14 million passengers each year at one of 160 total locations – stretching across the Asia Pacific and beyond to include locations in North and South America (Canada and Brazil), the Middle East (Oman, Saudi Arabia and the UAE) and Europe (the UK and Italy with Finland to come in Feb).Philip Rao, EY partner and EOY programme director for Malaysia said; “Song Hoi-see is an exemplary role model for entrepreneurial excellence. Through his vision, courage and determination, he had disrupted the status quo and established new norms that enhanced the quality of life for the many air travellers who throng airports daily. Song has played a significant role in redefining the airport services industry, and continues to expand his footprint and raise the bar in enhancing travel experiences across the world.”

Chosen by an esteemed panel of independent judges, and with the ceremony overseen by Malaysian Minister of Entrepreneur Development Mohd Redzuan Md Yusof, Song Hoi-see beat out three other nominees in the Master Entrepreneur category to claim this year’s title; Datuk Phum Ang Kia, Group CEO of Advancecon, Abdullah Mahmud, Managing director of Syarikat Logistik Petikemas, and CY Lim, Group CEO of Yinson Holdings.

Yet, praise was forthcoming for all of the nominees; “Entrepreneurs are true visionary leaders who refuse to accept the world for what it is, but what it can be,” said EY Malaysia Managing Partner Abdul Rauf Rashid. “Driven by courage, perseverance and resilience, these individuals are relentless in raising the bar and transforming the future, every step of the way. In the process, they drive growth and prosperity, inspire positive change, and help shape a better future for themselves and those around them.”

For the winner Hoi-see however, the title means he’ll join other regional 2018 EOY country recipients such as Jeffrey Tiong of Singapore and Australia’s Jo Horgan in Monte Carlo next year, in the running for the coveted World Entrepreneur of the Year for 2019 – this year claimed by Brazilian national Rubens Menin, founder of affordable housing real estate firm MRV Engenharia, who took over the mantle from toy-maker Moose CEO Manny Stul of Australia.