INTHEBLACK December 2023/January 2024 Special Edition - Flipbook - Page 36
“This appointment was more challenging, since
I was reporting to headquarters in Paris, and oversaw
financial and management reports as well as human
resources, taxation matters and audits.”
Santhariah also brought the company’s accounting
and administration processes in line with Australian
and international standards and, again, implemented
GST reporting accounting.
The only member of his family to graduate from
university, Santhariah says his experiences and
hardship during childhood reinforced a sense of
discipline that allowed him to escape the poverty trap.
“Where there is a will, there is a way to achieve
success in business and education and break the
poverty cycle.”
JUST GETTING STARTED
After retiring at the age of 64, Santhariah
completed a master’s in taxation at the University of
New South Wales, researching the Malaysian GST.
Then, at the age of 73, he also gained a PhD from
36 INTHEBLACK Dec 2023/Jan 2024 SPECIAL EDITION
RMIT University for his thesis on Malaysian GST
compliance costs for taxpayers. A series of research
articles on GST in its many forms, for international
tax journals, followed.
“Learning is the best anti-ageing drug I know,”
says Santhariah.
He says his achievements have been helped along
by kind people along the way and that people have
a responsibility to give back. This belief is made
evident by his ongoing charitable work, where he has
earned a certificate of appreciation for services to the
underprivileged at the World Humanitarian Drive.
Currently, the retired accountant is gathering a
like-minded community of professionals who can
offer free advice to small businesses via video call.
They also give regular talks on financial topics to
the Malaysian small business community.
“Don’t be idle or retire and say you want to play
golf. Spare some time to help others and you will
activate regions of the brain associated with
pleasure, social connection and trust.” ●
