When he turned 16, Norizam opened his first burger stall with a capital of RM1,500 in Kampung Tuah Jaya, Taman Perling, Johor. — JAMES SUTTON/Unsplash
He said he was able to buy over the hotels as they were offered to him at a low price by the owners as they could no longer cover the operating costs and pay the staff salaries. Coming from a poor family, Norizam said his interest in business started when he had to help his father, Tukiman Jasemo, 73, at a roadside stall selling banana fritters and Chinese crullers or cakoi.
His early difficult life pushed him to study hard, following which he was able to pursue his studies at Universiti Teknologi Mara in Segamat and got a diploma in Investment Analysis. After graduating, Norizam worked as an investment consultant at a bank in Johor. He started with only three hotels – two in Senai, Johor and one in Sepang, Selangor – before expanding his business empire.