Malaysia, 2 November 2009 – It was a historic moment for the Executive Chairman of the QI Group of Companies, Dato’ Vijay Eswaran, when he was granted an audience with the former Malaysian Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, fondly referred to as “Father of Modernisation”, at the Perdana Leadership Foundation today.

Others who were part of the delegation to meet the former Malaysian Prime Minister, the longest-serving leader in Malaysian history, included Group Managing Director Mr Joseph Bismark, Datin Umayal Eswaran, Mr Zaheer Merchant and Mr K. Krishnakumar. During the meeting, Tun Mahathir shared with the Group, his political and economic viewpoints and spoke about how Malaysia’s multi-ethnic, multi-cultural and multi-religious success in improving the living standards of its people and forging ahead with a vibrant economy, is a success story that should be emulated by other countries.

Dato’ Vijay also took the opportunity to brief Tun Mahathir on the QI Group’s activities in the global arena and specifically, about its Malaysian operations. Expressing his approval at the fact that the QI Group has already moved its operational headquarters back to Malaysia, Tun Mahathir told Dato’ Vijay, “It is good that you have done so well and are coming back to Malaysia,” The two leaders shared a touching moment when Dato’ Vijay told Tun Mahathir that he was proud of being a Malaysian because of him, and Tun put his arm around Dato’ Vijay and said “You make me proud by being a successful Malaysian.”

Before parting ways, Dato’ Vijay presented Tun Mahathir with his international best-selling book In the Sphere of Silence and a limited edition CIMIER watch, a QI owned luxury Swiss brand.