A Book is a Legacy

FINALLY, after nearly 15 years of helping Nehemiah Reinforced Soil Sdn Bhd (NRS) to become known as a company that stood against all forms of corruption, a book is completed.

Through the 15 years of hard work, the company has received maximum publicity through the media.

The founder was awarded Entrepreneur of the Year in one particular year by the Star Outstanding Business Award (SOBA). Of course, not to mention Ernst & Young as well and the UK Institution of Civil Engineers. This is partly my work as a consultant. Some may say this is the power of the pen, but God was behind all the hard work.

The Long & Winding Journey

The writing of this book first started about five years ago, but it was only completed this month. In between, I have written and published at least four other books. For years, I have been suggesting to Dr Nehemiah Lee, the founder of NRS to put together a book as a testimony of how God blessed the company. What stands out is the company's strong stand against bribery.

This book is not about how great the man is. In fact, he has his own idiosyncracies which I can and will never be able to understand. The biggest problem I find is that he is unable to communicate what is in his mind. An answer like, "Standard" can mean a lot of things to different people, when talking about the style of writing or how he wants the book to be designed. Unfortunately, engineers are usually men of few words, and they expect everyone to understand their preferences. Thankfully, not all engineers are like that!

There are also many things he does not understand about the writing process. Of course, the first draft is always raw. From a raw draft, you then get feedback. This feedback is useful for the writer to gather more input in order to make the story more interesting.

Before the book is ready to be published, the writer will gradually enhance the writing by rewriting parts of the book. My current project on Datuk Seri Wong Chun Wai's book is smooth-sailing because he himself is a writer. And, he understands what a writer goes through.

What the book is about

The book is about God's work in Dr Lee's life and the company that he founded.

Regardless of whether we are faithful to Him, God is faithful to His Word. Therefore, it is not about Dr Lee but all about God. The testimony is all about God's goodness -- nothing more, nothing less!

As an author, my name is on the bookcover as agreed earlier, not because I want to be a celebrity author but because I believe I can do more of such projects to chronicle the lifestory of many more Malaysians and Singaporeans.

Anyone who knows me knows that my name is all over the many publications that I have written for in the past 30 years. The glamour is no longer there.

I am, and prefer to be remain the "ordinary Malaysian" on the street, who is nothing but the pen God uses to do His work.

At the end of the day, when I stand before Our Heavenly Father, I can only say, "Lord, I have only done what you wanted me to do. You have done so much more for me by offering yourself as a sacrifice on the Cross to redeem me!"

END.