Duo celebrate 35yrs of successful partnership

Business

By HEZRON KISING
A PARTNERSHIP between a Papua New Guinean and a Malaysian that started 35 years ago to venture in an automotor retail shop has provided more than 300 jobs for locals and expatriates.
On Feb 5, 1985, Jim Tapako, from Enga, decided to partner with John Lim from Malaysia to sell vehicle parts in Lae.
They called their business the Motorist Discount Centre.
The company now has branches in Port Moresby, Wewak, Madang, Mt. Hagen and Goroka.
However, the Port Moresby branch has since been closed due to management issues.
“It was a tough decision I made back then to do business with Lim,” Tapako said.
“We had our good times and bad times but with mutual understanding and set goals, nothing could stop us.”
Employee Johnsen Begada, at the Lae branch, thanked the two men for providing employment to locals and expatriates.
He said employees had greatly benefited from the experience of working with the company whether in the office or outside.
Tapako reminded the employees that “nothing is free in this world”.
“You have to work hard for it,” he said.
“Don’t steal someone else’s blessing because God sees and rewards. I’d like to see more Papua New Guineans involved in such business activities and serving many Papua New Guineans in the country.”
Ten employees from different branches received loyalty awards and 12 received awards for their services.
Pessy Jacob, a recipient of the loyalty award, had served for 15 years.
She started working as a receptionist in Lae and with the skills and knowledge attained during her years of service, she made her way up to become a pay officer.
Jason Agari, an employee at the Lae branch, thanked Lim and Tapako not only for his job but also for being supportive to the employees and their families.
“I was a young man back in 1987 when I first join the company,” he said.
“We’ve faced some hard times during those days.
“At one point, Lim and I slept in the vehicle while Lim’s wife went to her friend’s house to spend the night while working in Madang.
“At first I thought we would sleep in a resort or a hotel. But then Lim told me that we will sleeping in the car.
“He went into the car got his sleeping bag and went to sleep.
“I was surprised how such a man would do that for his employee. But then I followed him and we slept in the car. Those were some of the struggles we went through.”