HE is a great believer of doing things that makes him happy.
Since his younger days, Alex Tan Bok Hooi has demonstrated a flair for writing.
His family was also very supportive of his creativity which helped to mould his skills in creative writing.
However, his life’s journey brought him to Kuala Lumpur, where he graduated with a Master of Science in Physics from Universiti Malaya.
Many people would have wondered how a particle physicist could ended up be an award-winning author. More so when his book has nothing to do with the science of matter or energy.
Tan’s award-winning book, A Man And His Wallet and other stories, was selected by the Majlis Buku Kebangsaan Malaysia (Malaysian National Book Event) as one of the 50 Best Malaysian Titles for International Rights for 2016/2017. The book was also exhibited at the International Book Festival in Frankfurt, Germany.
Tan, 48, had also written a Malay novel, Topeng (published in 1992), and a collection of English short stories entitled ‘Love will find You and other stories’.
Tan, who is currently working as a medical consultant for a company based in Kuala Lumpur, said he has always love to experience new things.
“Life is an adventure. I have been in the corporate field for two decades now and I often travel to Europe to meet and encourage medical companies to invest in Penang,” Tan, 48, said during his courtesy call on Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow at the Penang International Airport on Dec 1.
Tan presented some of his books to Chow during his visit while the Chief Minister reciprocated by presenting a pewter in the form of a miniature trishaw.
Tan also proposed several ideas to bring in more investments from medical device companies.
Story and pix by Eric Shaun Seaton