Anas Zubedy (seated, middle) with some of the participants

The Centre for Extension Education (CEE) in collaboration with Tun Tan Cheng Lock Centre for Social and Policy Studies (TCLC) organised a talk titled “The Middle Path” on 19 June 2019 at UTAR Sungai Long Campus.

Invited to be the speaker was Zubedy (M) Sdn Bhd Founder Anas Zubedy. He is a Malaysian businessman who believes in playing an active role as a Unity Advocate and Agent of Moderation. Born in Penang in 1964, he grew up amongst Malays, Chinese, Eurasians and Indians. His early socialisation and experiences created a deep desire to practice a multi-cultural outlook and promote unity.

Anas Zubedy

Before he began his talk, he presented a video titled “Many Colours, One Race”. The video explained why we should promote multiculturalism in Malaysia. He said, “What if Malaysia only had one race; one ethnic and one tradition? Will we still have foods like Nasi Lemak, Char Kuey Teow and Roti Canai? Will we still celebrate festivals like Hari Raya, Chinese New Year, Deepavali and Christmas? Would it still be a Malaysia?”

He then shared an interesting life story about himself, “When I was studying at the university, I created a basic rule or mantra for myself to follow ‘May all of us guide ourselves with love, logic and wisdom’. Love—makes us fair with our hearts; Logic—makes us fair with our minds; Wisdom—leads us to combine our love and logic in the way that benefits mankind.” Meanwhile, he also shared an interesting incident that took place during his employment with Nestle and how that led him to begin his own company. “I learnt that to make an organisation work and ideas stay, we need to be good at four crucial functions, namely Innovation, Marketing, Duplication and General Management. On 7 January 1994, I left Nestle on a warm term. In the same year, I formed Zubedy (M) Sdn Bhd on 24 May. The core mission of my company is to unite people.”

“We published “The Middle Path” in the year 2012. But since I started to speak and write about choosing the middle path, many responded by referring to the middle path as being neutral. Taking the middle path is not the same as being neutral. This is a misconception. While being neutral is not making a stand, choosing the middle path is carefully deciding on a position, not on the left or right, but which can move us forward; while being neutral is shying away from taking action, choosing the middle path is about making decisions and acting based on careful consideration of all factors,” said Anas Zubedy. He then further elaborated on the differences between the middle path and the neutral. “One of the better ways in practising the middle path is to practice moderation,” said Anas Zubedy. Meanwhile, he also shared the ten principles of being a moderate Malaysian.

Anas Zubedy attending to the Q&A’s from the participants

The talk then proceeded with an interactive Q&A session and a group discussion. It was followed by the presentation of token of appreciation by TCLC Chairperson Assoc Prof Dr Chin Yee Mun to Anas Zubedy.

Group discussion in progress

Dr Chin (left) presenting a token of appreciation to Anas Zubedy

Promoting unity via talk