From Parit to Switzerland: How a Strawberry Picker Became a Banking Expert
Our people are truly remarkable, with many Malaysians possessing talents that rival Western scholars. This article highlights an extraordinary individual who became a banking expert in Switzerland, hailing from a small, remote town in the Perak Tengah district: Parit.
In this edition of orangperak.com, we would like to introduce you to Sarhan Bin Alang Endut. Sarhan was born in Kampung Bukit Chupak, Parit. He received his early education at Sekolah Menengah Iskandar Shah in Parit before continuing his secondary studies at Sekolah Menengah Sains Sungai Petani in Kedah.
Since childhood, he has had a deep interest in calligraphy, encouraged by his late father, Haji Alang Endut. For our loyal readers at orangperak.com, the late Haji Alang Endut was a teacher to Almarhum Sultan Idris Shah (the 33rd Sultan of Perak).
Sarhan Bin Alang Endut is the 13th of 15 siblings. He has never forgotten his roots in a small town in Perak, and he even worked as a strawberry picker while pursuing his studies abroad.
Initially, he studied architecture in the United Kingdom. However, Sarhan Bin Alang Endut did not complete his studies because his passion for architecture was eclipsed by a growing interest in banking. Consequently, he moved to Switzerland to try his luck.
Sarhan's older brother, Abdul Rahim, who once served as a manager at a local bank, became his mentor. He received much advice and guidance from his brother in the field of banking.
He works at Mizuho Bank, an international bank located in Zurich, Switzerland. Sarhan led the loan and investment division and was later promoted to First Vice President. This is the first time a Malaysian-born individual has held such a position at that banking institution.
His duties as First Vice President involve overseeing investments and maintaining relations with the headquarters in Japan. Sarhan not only needs to maintain good relationships with staff but also serves as a liaison between his employers in Japan and the Swiss government.
Mizuho Bank, located on Jalan Loewenstrasse, is where Sarhan Bin Alang Endut made a name for himself in banking. The bank has thousands of offices in Japan, and the branches in that area are mostly world-renowned banks.
Sarhan Bin Alang Endut was also appointed as the President of the Malaysian Association in Switzerland for several years. His role in this welfare organization involved managing the affairs of students and Malaysians working there.
Every year, when he has free time, Sarhan Bin Alang Endut brings his wife and children back to his homeland so that his children can understand and appreciate Malay culture. Despite achieving success abroad and holding a high position, he has never forgotten his origins and his family in Parit, Perak.
Adapted from sources and image credits to mazlinnordin.blogspot.my
