The 52-year-old, who was named Berita Harian's Achiever of the Year yesterday, told a press conference that his parents were his biggest influences when he was growing up.

'My father earned only $200 as a police constable and there were 11 of us in the family to feed,' said Mr Zain, who is the first businessman to clinch the award in its 10-year history. 'Times were very tough and it was a difficult life.'

He had to help his mother peddle satay and kueh around the old Choa Chu Kang kampung to supplement his family's income.

Despite the economic hardship, his family never gave up serving at the neighbourhood mosque and religious school.

This spirit of giving to the community continues to shape the way Mr Zain, a father of four, conducts his business.

He said: 'I have always believed that not everything you earn is for yourself alone. A portion should go to charity or back to the community.'

The executive chairman of Prestige Marine Group joined the firm in 1991 and, within just three years, organised a takeover using funds borrowed from extended family members.

After that coup, he admits that he found life as his own boss challenging.

When Prestige faced cash-flow issues between 1994 and 1997, he worked without pay the entire time.

His move to diversify into other areas within the marine sector paid off. He grew Prestige's turnover from less than $1 million in 1994 to almost $2 billion last year.

Prestige will register 18 ships in Singapore by year end, up from just two tankers in 1994. The company now has 200 employees.

While the firm has been a stunning success, Mr Zain has not wavered from his belief in giving back to the Malay-Muslim community.

'I will be setting up two separate foundations in the next few years to provide assistance to the Malay-Muslim community here,' he said.

'One will include maritime scholarships, while the other will comprise about $2 million of my own funds, which the foundation will invest and give the proceeds to charity.'

Berita Harian editor Guntor Sadali said there were three compelling reasons behind the selection of Mr Zain for the award.

They include his business achievements, philanthropic work, and his contribution to Malay-Muslim businesses through the Singapore Malay Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SMCCI).

The SMCCI named him its Malay Entrepreneur of the Year in 1998, and he has been its president since 2005.

'For the first time in many years, the chamber is in the black,' said Mr Guntor.

'(Mr Zain) has worked with many government agencies and organised many activities, courses and talks for members.

'The chamber, under his leadership, is certainly in one of its strongest positions today.'

franchan@sph.com.sg