Bodek Culture

I bumped into Sdra. Teng Chang Yeow, Gerakan Tanjong Division chairman on Wednesday morning at the Penang Party HQ office. Sdra. Teng remarks that my blog is criticizing so many politicians. I did not put much thought into what he said, go into right ear, went out the left ear. But, before we parted, he gave me some suggestions to "hentam" more politicians.

Reading the news article below, it hit me, was he trying to tell me something about this. Well, I do not know how to polish applelah, ha..ha..hah..............., polish shoe I can.


Star Online, Friday May 9, 2008 MYT 7:19:22 PM
MB gives advice on apple polishing
By ROSLINA MOHAMAD

KUANTAN: Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Adnan Yaakob has given a tip on how one can climb up the political and corporate ladders - by apple polishing (bodek).

``If I did not `bodek' (apple polish), I would not be where I am now - a Mentri Besar.

``However, the bodek culture that one should practise is something that is of good use, which is to win the hearts of your superiors, resulting in creating an amicable working environment that can help improve productivity,'' he said Friday when addressing staff of Pahang SEDC and its subsidiaries in conjunction with the Workers' Day celebration at Indera Mahkota here.

Among those present were the agency's chief executive Datuk Lias Md Noor, its deputy Datuk Abdul Rahim Ali, captains of its subsidiaries, senior managers and staff.

Adnan, who is also Pahang SEDC chairman, later gave away excellent award certificates and appreciation tokens to 27 employees.

Pahang SEDC also presented RM3.6mil as part of its contribution to the state government.

The Mentri Besar added that another important thing that one must remember when trying to curry favour is to ensure that such action would not cause any hardship or problems to others.

Adnan, who is a former English teacher, continued to give a brief explanation of how the term “apple polishing” was coined.

He was responding to remarks made earlier by Lias who attributed Pahang SEDC economic comeback to the Mentri Besar.

Adnan was then heard saying that Lias was trying to “bodek” him to which, Lias replied that he would not resort to such a practice.

On a more serious note, Adnan reminded the staff on their dual roles - to run the agency and its subsidiaries like a business entity as well as their duties in carrying out social obligations to the state and its people.

He also noted that their core business was real estate and properties and judging by the current market, there was a need to venture into other sectors.

``For a start, the state government has approved 4,000ha of land to grow with oil palm trees.

``Kindly manage this project well,'' he added.

Another area that would be worth the effort was biotechnology and Adnan cited how herbs, plants and trees such as lemongrass, vanilla and `gaharu' that had medicinal values and other uses were highly sought after as essential ingredients in various industries.

``Explore the possibilities in business and do not be rigid.

``One need not be a genius but one must be highly dedicated to make things work,'' he added.