Education and Work

He received his education in St. Francis Institution, Malacca where he completed his "O" levels after which he had to start work because both his adopted parents passed away. He started working as a labourer earning a salary of RM 10 per month. In 1962, he decided to join the Royal Military College and graduated as a Commissioned Officer, majoring in Engineering. After 6 years working for the Military, he decided to leave the military life and worked as a salesman for different oil companies, starting at Castrol. After working for 20 years in the oil business, he rose to be the Vice-President of Asia Pacific for the Asia-Pacific region. In 1985, he decided to venture into the property market creating his own company. He is currently involved in the property sector although he has also ventured into other businesses.

Hobbies

He is keen Golfer representing Malaysia as an Amateur with handicap 2 but presently he plays with a handicap 8. He was Founder member and Director of the Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club. His interest is also in Motor Racing and he visited the "Estroil Circuit" in Portugal by invitation of the previous Prime Minister of Malaysia Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad when Malaysia was studying the possibility of hosting the Formula 1 Championship in the country. He collects antique cars as a hobby and his collection ranges from BMWs, Mercedes to the Rolls Royce. The jewel of his collection is a 1936 M-Benz K500 which is one of the only three produced in the world.

Honours and Awards

He was awarded the J.S.M (Johan Setia Mahkota) by His Majesty, the Yang Dipertuan Agong - (King of Malaysia) for his services rendered to the country. The state Government of Malacca through the Governor of Malacca awarded the title D.S.M. (Darjah Mulia Seri Melaka) - title "Sir" for all the help rendered to the poor people of Malacca, mainly to the Portuguese descendent Community.

When Portugal wished to open a Honorary Consulate in Malaysia, he was the choice of the Malaysian Government and his name was submitted to Portugal. His name was approved and he was subsequently appointed Honorary Consul of the Republic of Portugal in Malaysia by His Excellency, the President of the Republic of Portugal, Dr. Mario Alberto Nobre Lopes Soares on the 30th March 1993. He received the Letter of Appointment from His Majesty, the Yang Dipertuan Agong, Sultan Azlan Shah on the 14th July of the same year through the then Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yang Berhormat Datuk Abdullah bin Haji Ahmad Badawi (presently the Prime Minister of Malaysia).

He was the choice of the General Committee of the Selangor & Federal Territory Eurasian Association in inviting him to be the Patron of the association. He accepted the invitation and he was installed as the Patron of the association on 10th March 1995. Under his Patronage, the association expanded its facilities, offering now more for the members.

Services

Despite his busy schedule, he has been representing and serving Portugal, the Portuguese citizens, the Portuguese descendent Community in Malaysia, receiving Portuguese dignitaries whenever they came to Malaysia. The Honorary Consulate which is stationed in the premises of the club house of the association, under his leadership has been very active with Portuguese language classes and hosting cultural programmes. "Festa of Portuguese - A Festival of Portuguese and Eurasian Culture" was held in March 2001. This was a cultural programme that featured the Portuguese Guitar and Guitarist, Mestre Antonio Chainho and Marta Dias, various exhibitions, Portuguese costumes, Portuguese - Eurasian cuisine and song and dance. His generosity was especially towards the less fortunate and education, particularly in Malacca in order to improve the standing of the community as a whole.