I HAD the honour of attending a special gathering organised to recognise the men and women who helped build Port Klang into one of the busiest and most important ports in the world.
From humble wooden jetties in 1900 to the mega port city it is today, their hard work moves goods from Malaysia to more than 500 ports across the globe, generating a massive RM657 billion in trade flows through our gates. Port Klang the 10 busiest ports in the world.
This memorable event was the brainchild of 78-year-old “Tiger” Wong Ah Seng, who started his career in the conventional and container operations , knows ports inside and out, especially in Roll-on-Roll-off (RORO) operations, who has worked in several countries including Malaysia and Thailand. He was instrumental in building the Leam Chabang car terminal.
“What started as an idea four months ago was brilliantly brought to life by Ramadas, 75, a veteran from Westports Container Operations, together with the ever-spirited Padmavan Menon, who once served in the port before joining the Ministry of Transport,” Wong said.
The energy in the room was electric, with over 100 retirees attending — friends, old colleagues, mentors, and pioneers of the port, logistics, warehousing, freight, and cargo industries.
About one-eighth of them were above 80 years old, and to honour them, am anniversary cake was cut, celebrating not just their longevity, but their enduring contributions. Many suffered aches and pains consistent with aging.
One of them was in wheel chair, but their undying spirit, puts any young man to shame!
When I asked Wong why they decided on this gathering, his answer warmed my heart:
“We’ve been meeting in small groups here and there, but never like this. We needed an event where everyone could dine, wine, and even whine a little together. This afternoon is simply perfect.”
The committee — a dynamic team of eight — meticulously planned every detail, from the restaurant to the menu, the invitations to the sponsorships. The result? A day filled with laughter, nostalgia, and genuine joy as old friends reunited after years apart.
Ramadas and Padmavan were quick to add that their motto was to “where good friends meet and strangers become friends”. This was clearly achieved as there were young officers (working in the industry) who tagged along with their father’s or uncles to meet and greet these great veterans of the industry..
A particularly memorable moment for me was speaking with Mr. E.A. Louis, 88, former Senior Traffic Officer with the Port Authority (LPK). He shared stories from a time when cargo was moved by sheer human strength and wheelbarrows — long before cranes and container terminals came into play.
“Today, everything is mechanized. But back then, it was pure muscle and clever teamwork,” Louis reminisced. He proudly recalled his role in streamlining port processes — reducing eight complicated cargo clearance steps into one, allowing faster and easier movement.
“We still have so much knowledge to give,” he said, his eyes gleaming with passion.
“Especially for new ports coming up, we can share our experience and help make Malaysia’s ports even stronger.”
Amidst the august players was Wong Soon Fah who began his career at Port Swettenham as a clerical officer and progressed through roles including research and development manager with LPK.
He later joined Kuantan Port as General Manager of Operations and, in 1998, was appointed Managing Director of Kuantan Port.
Under his leadership, Kuantan Port has grown significantly, building on the strong foundation laid by early port developments such as Port Klang, which was known for its multi-racial camaraderie and global reach.
Soon Fah’s career reflects deep roots in Port Klang a nest for those who had served the Klang Port Authority, KCT, KPM, Northport & Westports and the shipping & Logistics community.
His experience has helped Kuantan Port thrive in the competitive global port industry.He added that he believes Port Klang has given birth to many leaders of ports and logistics sector.
How else can we thank Port Klang other than celebrating those people who made it today the 10th world’s busiest port.
Among the senior attendees, the youngest was Mr. Sankunny Narayanan, aged 69, whose distinguished career spanned nearly 44 years from 1973 to 2017.
Sankunny contributed significantly to the development of LPK, KCT, Northport, and MMC ports. Throughout the event, he actively acknowledged and highlighted the mentors who played pivotal roles in both the advancement of the ports and his own professional journey.
Indeed, the wisdom, experience, and pioneering spirit of these retirees are priceless assets. Their contributions to the future of Malaysia’s ports and logistics sector could be invaluable. Here’s how they can continue to build Malaysia’s greatness:
Mentoring young talent
Retired port and logistics experts can serve as mentors to young port officers, planners, and logistics managers, imparting not just technical skills but also critical work ethics, crisis management experience, and the spirit of teamwork. In Singapore, the Maritime and Port Authority (MPA) launched initiatives like the MaritimeONE Mentorship Programme, were experienced maritime professionals, including retirees, mentor younger talents entering the industry.
Japan’s port sector also heavily relies on senior advisors coaching younger staff, preserving institutional knowledge.
Advisory panels for new ports
As Malaysia plans new port developments (e.g., Carey Island, expansion of Port Klang), retired experts could sit on technical advisory panels to ensure smarter layouts, optimized workflows, and practical infrastructure suited for future cargo volumes and ship sizes. Singapore’s, former senior officers and captains are often tapped to advise on expansions like Tuas Port, one of the world’s largest automated terminals. The Tuas development team actively engaged retired port experts to refine planning based on real-world operational insights.
Training and workshops
Veterans can conduct specialized workshops in areas like port operations, supply chain optimization, customs documentation, and risk management — blending theoretical knowledge with real-world lessons from past successes and mistakes. The MPA Academy in Singapore regularly invites retired experts for guest lectures and masterclasses. Similarly, Japan’s MLIT (Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism) has programs where retirees help conduct seminars for upskilling logistics operators. Can MOT view this as a good case study to appoint these veterans into sharing their experiences?
Enhancing port efficiency
Retired experts often have invaluable knowledge about “hidden efficiencies” — small process improvements (like faster clearance procedures) that can make a huge difference in cost and turnaround times. When developing the Port of Busan in South Korea, retired logistics experts were brought back in to streamline container yard operations, leading to a 10% increase in cargo handling efficiency.
Promoting sustainability in ports
With their experience, retirees can advise on how to incorporate greener practices such as minimizing idle time, better cargo equipment management, reducing emissions, and optimizing resource use. Sustainable Maritime Transport Action Plan of Singapore was shaped with input from experienced ex-officers and retirees who advised on best practices to achieve net-zero emissions in port activities.
Strengthening port-community relations
Retired experts understand the importance of maintaining good relations between ports and their surrounding communities. They can teach new officers about corporate social responsibility, environmental stewardship, and community engagement — ensuring ports grow in harmony with neighbouring towns. Port of Kobe, Japan, involved retired port workers in its community rebuilding efforts after the 1995 earthquake — ensuring that the port’s reconstruction respected the needs and sentiments of the local population.
Documenting port history
The personal experiences, lessons, and major events witnessed by retirees are crucial parts of a port’s heritage. Documenting these narratives can inspire future professionals, teach valuable lessons, and build national pride in Malaysia’s maritime journey. In Singapore, the MPA Heritage Gallery showcases stories and contributions from retired maritime leaders, preserving their experiences for future generations.
In the end, the port industry is not just about cranes, ships, and containers, TEU’s or how many containers we have moved — it’s about people.
And these extraordinary individuals, who once built Malaysia’s gateway to the world, still have so much to offer in shaping its future. Here’s to the heroes of Port Klang — yesterday’s builders, today’s mentors, and tomorrow’s guiding stars. – May 3, 2025
The writer is a seasoned port man, having served as General Manager of Communications for Northport.