“No disability or dictionary out there is
capable of clearly defining who we are as a person”
This quote clearly states that no matter how we are as a person, either
disabled or normal, we can still achieve success with hard work and nothing can
actually stop us. Being disabled since birth does not make any difference if
you can’t bring out the best in you. It only makes a difference when you strive
towards what you want to achieve in life. Regarding to the topic 5 fabulous
entrepreneurs in Malaysia, being disable in life does not really define who you
are as a person. When you decide to change something in you, indeed that
defines who you are. These entrepreneurs although are disable, but they have
achieve success in life because they worked hard. Therefore the word disability
is just in your mind if you do not wish to transform yourself into achieving
something.
Subramaniam Chakarai, is a Malaysian man
who through many struggles and hardships has succeeded in his life. He was born
on February 9, 1960 in the village of Bedong, Kedah. He was the youngest of
four boys and an older brother to 4 sisters. He was born with a condition
called retinitis pigmentosa, which is more commonly known as visually impaired
or blind. He attended primary tamil school in Bedong until Standard six. He
suffered with homework and being able to read the textbooks as there were no
facilities or accommodations made in order to assist him. He had friends to help him and read to him. Until, one day
his teacher embarrassed and insulted him that if he can’t see why bother coming
to school. This enraged his father who reprimanded the teacher for insulting
Subramaniam.
In order to receive more help and
assistance with completing his studies, Subramaniam started taking lessons at
the St. Nicholas Home for the Blind. The home helped to convert his textbooks
into bigger printing and he learned how to navigate around as a blind person.
He was taught how to type and read braille and how to use both a support and
probing cane. However, it was when Subramaniam was nine years old that his
father passed away in an unfortunate accident. Since his father was the only
breadwinner, Subramaniam and his siblings had to start assisting their mother
by selling home-cooked food and sweets in order to run the family upon the
death of their father. He continued his primary school education with the
assistance of the sisters at the home. Upon completing primary school and the
recommendation of the home, Subramaniam attended secondary school at St. John’s
Institution in Kuala Lumpur. At the age of 12 he had to move away from home and
live in a hostel to attend secondary school.
When he finished secondary school, he spent his time being a mentor at the Pure Life Society
in Kuala Lumpur under
the guidance of Mother Mangalam.During his time there, he applied to colleges
and universities both local and international. It was during the time at the Pure Life Society that he got accepted into the University of Missouri in Missouri, Columbia in the United States of America. Unfortunately, he did not have the funds to support the fees
and living cost. This was when upon Mother Mangalam’s idea and guidance, he started to approach Datos and MLAs and even newspapers to request for donations towards his college fees.Within a matter of few months, he received so much of donations and monetary assistance for his education.
At the age of 22, he moved to Missouri,
Columbia and started his Bachelors in Business Administration. He received a
lot of support with regards to his readings, classes, and assignments. The
university provided him with a personal reader who read him his books, notes,
and assignments. When he went into his third and fourth years of university, he
received a scholarship from the University and he worked part time at
government offices to make extra money. Upon completing his bachelor’s degree,
he went on to pursue his Masters in Business Administration under a scholarship
as well. When he finished his Masters, he worked in the government sector and
saved money for his wedding and for his future. At the age of 31, he got
married to Komathy Subramaniam and all the expenses for the wedding was paid
for using the money that he saved up from his job at the government. After
getting married, his wife and him moved to USA where their first daughter was
born. When their daughter was 6 months, they returned to their home country of
Malaysia. They stayed in Malaysia for 8 year and between this time they had
their second daughter and their son. During their time in Malaysia, they owned
2 houses, several convenient stores, car part manufacturing factories, supplied
factory workers to other companies, and several cars and minivans. Due to the
economic downfall in Malaysia from 1997 and onwards, they lost most of their
business. This was when Subramaniam decided to move his family to Vancouver, BC
in Canada.
When his family and him moved to
Vancouver, they had no one to support them. He was not able to find a job and
they had to rely on government welfare and food stamps in order to sustain the
family. Eventually, he was able to find a job with the Canadian National
Institute for the Blind as a customer service representative. Within a year,
their youngest son was born and the following year, Subramaniam was recruited
by RBC Royal Bank, the national bank in Canada. In the following years, he was
promoted and finally he made it to the headquarters in Vancouver where he
worked as a Credit Adjudicator. He retired in June 2014 and moved to Malaysia
with his wife, two daughters and youngest son. He spent two years in Penang and
during that time he invested and traded stocks on the share market. In July of
2017, he moved to India with his wife and youngest son and he currently lives
there. He has since started his own trading and investing company to support
his son’s education. However, he travels the world and is enjoying retirement.
2. Mohn Sukur Ibrahim
Mohn Sukur
Ibrahim, known as handicapped entrepreneur, motivational speaker and also
finance expert most importantly he is one of the disable person, without
a perfect hand, his height is just 100 cm success in the society today. He is the Winner of the National
Excellence OKU Award 2014 (Entrepreneurship), Sukar Ibrahim founded
and works at his own carpet
fitting company for 6 years now
which is “D Strike Solution”, founded in 2010. Moreover, he’s also an advisory at CIMB Wealth Advisors and is
also a motivational speaker and financial adviser from Former Bachelor of
Technology Information from the National University of Malaysia. Previously, Sukur Ibrahim had failed in three different businesses before,
but he never stop his ability and determination. Even though, he doesn’t get
full support from his family because of his previous failures.
On the other hand, he came from a simple
middle class family in Melaka. His father was a retired army, while his mother
was a housewife. Sukur has told Vocket how his life was before doing business
was like today. After graduating from UKM he was involved with an MLM (Multi-Level
Marketing) company. That's where he started to dream to become a millionaire.
he does not regret having been involved with MLM because for him it gave him a
lot of teaching. he takes a positive part and forget about the negative side.
Furthermore, seeing the life of the leader
in the MLM organization makes him excited. He managed to achieve a high rank in
the organization, getting a high commission. Unfortunately, he was wrong when
he followed the luxury lifestyle of those who bought branded goods, ate in
luxury hotels, travelled abroad and did not make any savings, all his money can
all be spent. Eventually the organization split and he fells. He learned to
move on and let go. It's hard for him to rise again but the dream of becoming a
millionaire never goes out. The dream for the help of the mother and father in
the village is always burning. He closes the old tale book, stop blaming
others. Instead he improves himself and open a new book to make sure his dream
was reached.
Although, his family do not agree with his
choice of business, but he had never held a veil but just keep silent and take
their words as a flame. It's hard for him to get 100% support from his family
because of his previous business failure but he is determined to continue,
because for him, his dreams can be achieved quickly if he do business. After
the overcome the failure of his previous business he “Learn from Failure to
Make Revenue In Fourth Sukur Business”. Failure and continued failure did not
break Sukur's spirit to bounce back even though the family was already worried
and wanted him to find work in the public sector. Finally, the business of
supplying and installing the carpet that he run is now on his 4th business
after failing in the previous 3 businesses. He has been a MLM entrepreneur for
2 years, opened a laundry that long lasted only for 6 months and became an
interior decoration company partner.
One of the main factors of my previous
business failure was poor
financial management which is pending exceeded
incomes,
followed by the so-called 'luxury lifestyle' and a bit of knowledge
about entrepreneurship. When he started D Strike Solution,
he took lessons from
what happened to the previous failures.
He start with a minimal capital, reduce
the amount of
expenses that can, live below the level of ability and start
making money as a hobby and self-motivation Strike Solution
is a symbol of his
resurrection. Make your knowledge, business-based
business built by Sukur does
not start with business grants for OKU or make any loans for business. What
Sukur does is ensure that every profit earned will be capital to enable his
company to get a bigger project.
Recently, Mohd Sukur's wedding with her
partner, Wan Nurul Syazwani Wan Mohd Yen, 27 years old. Obviously the joys of
the two brides face when they are celebrated by family and friends. According
to Sukur, these are the people who believe in him and are willing to take on
the business. Wani, which is Sukur’s wife now (when they are no married yet)
have helped him rebuild this business. She knew Sukur when he have nothing
else. They build businesses together with the determination to succeed and
build a common life no matter it's hard or easy. Becoming an entrepreneur is
more challenging than eating a salary. Humans with perfect legs and hands is
more challenging physical and emotional than normal humans. So, becoming an OKU
Entrepreneur is definitely more challenging for him. But he believes and he
have gone through it, after every challenge passed the result is definitely
good. The key, be patient and keep going.
At the beginning of business with D Strike
Solution is definitely challenging. Someone cancelled the reservation because
of his physical factor and was unsure of his ability. There are also customers
who do not make any payments that make him want to give up on business. But he believes
that God is Just there. With God grace, after over 5 years with D Strike
Solution this business is still running smoothly. The office is located in Seri
Kembangan, Selangor, but the D Strike Solution team has gained trust throughout
Peninsular Malaysia. Other than that, business carpeting service business, at
the same time he has also been invited to become a Motivational Speaker for
students and the corporate sector. Sharing life stories and fighting spirit to
succeed is his passion.
In conclusion, the story behind Sukur Ibrahim can inspire others such as
in the way other b2eing strong, always think positive, learn from failure and
many more. Moreover, people with disabilities are forced to struggle with daily
life, because of the people around them who choose to discriminate against
them, but we can learn is Sukur’s story is no matter how others look down on
you or never even support you. It doesn’t matters because you have a strong trust
on yourself and the people who encouraging all the time.
3.LEE THIAM WAH- FOUNDER OF 99
LEE THIAM WAH, was born on the year 1964 in klang and
was diagnosed with polio disease which made him lose his legs and fully
dependant on a wheelchair. His father, a construction worker, and his mother,
who was a hawker, worked day and night to fend for 11 children. Six years of
primary school was all they could afford for young Thiam Wah. To keep busy he
read books borrowed from neighbours and sold snacks in a roadside stall.
As an OKU person, he had no choice instead, he sold
junk food at the road side. At the age of 23, Lee Thiam Wah manage to collect
RM5000, and that became his modal money for him to open a retail shop in klang.
In 1987, Lee Thiam Wah opened a sundry mart called Pasar Raya Hiap Hoe in Tepi
Sungai, Klang. This humble beginning has allowed Mr. Lee to gain first-hand
knowledge and insights into the sundry retail market through personal
interactions with customers and suppliers.
During the early years he relied on relatives to help
carrying and weighing heavy items. He sees vendors when they visit or speaks by
phone. Although Lee Thiam Wah could not speak English and went to school
for 6 years, he is a self-reliant person who worked very hard. Being of use to
customers makes Lee Thiam Wah feel grateful and gives him a sense of purpose.
Lee Thiam Wah’s wife, Ng Lee Thieng who is 15 years
younger to him, is his sounding board in business and in life. They met when
she joined the company as a purchasing assistant, attracting him with her
vivacious personality. He quips that she knew how to take care of things. Now
she is also the mother of their two children. With his hard work and full
dedication, he manage to open 1000 outlets throughout Malaysia.
4. MELVIN TONG
Tong, who lost his right leg to cancer when he was 17 but recovered to build a successful supercar dealership business, is brutally honest about how he feels about the “man with no limbs” – which just makes it all the more curious why he has pledged to raise RM100,000 to help Start Society and Rage bring him to Malaysia. Melvin look at life from a different perspective. Melvin is on a soul-searching life journey. He vowed to never let his disability get in the way of his life. Now Melvin is an entrepreneur, visionary and risk taker too. The important lesson that he had learned in business and life is if we put our heart and soul as our time, effort and love in doing something, nothing is impossible to you so it tells us that we should also follow him to be successful as him in future as per our dream.
The importance message that he gave to everyone was that make impossible into possible. Melvin is now focusing in automotive business dealing with new and reconditioned imported cars as well. He do also mainly focused on importing cars such as Astana martin, Lamborghini, Porsche form UK offering one of the most competitive pricing in Malaysia. Tong wants to be successful but says his end goal isn’t to be a high-profile leader or motivational speaker; that’s not how he defines success and it’s also not what he feels being a leader is all about. Tong also had mentioned that If people want to hear my story, if it gives them hope in dark times or if it helps them see a light at the end of the tunnel, I want to help them feel encouraged and hopeful. Ultimately, I don’t know if everyone would say I am successful and I do not necessarily feel like a leader.
Tong, who lost his right leg to cancer when he was 17 but recovered to build a successful supercar dealership business, is brutally honest about how he feels about the “man with no limbs” – which just makes it all the more curious why he has pledged to raise RM100,000 to help Start Society and Rage bring him to Malaysia. Melvin look at life from a different perspective. Melvin is on a soul-searching life journey. He vowed to never let his disability get in the way of his life. Now Melvin is an entrepreneur, visionary and risk taker too. The important lesson that he had learned in business and life is if we put our heart and soul as our time, effort and love in doing something, nothing is impossible to you so it tells us that we should also follow him to be successful as him in future as per our dream.
The importance message that he gave to everyone was that make impossible into possible. Melvin is now focusing in automotive business dealing with new and reconditioned imported cars as well. He do also mainly focused on importing cars such as Astana martin, Lamborghini, Porsche form UK offering one of the most competitive pricing in Malaysia. Tong wants to be successful but says his end goal isn’t to be a high-profile leader or motivational speaker; that’s not how he defines success and it’s also not what he feels being a leader is all about. Tong also had mentioned that If people want to hear my story, if it gives them hope in dark times or if it helps them see a light at the end of the tunnel, I want to help them feel encouraged and hopeful. Ultimately, I don’t know if everyone would say I am successful and I do not necessarily feel like a leader.
The importance message that he gave to everyone was that make impossible into possible. Melvin is now focusing in automotive business dealing with new and reconditioned imported cars as well. He do also mainly focused on importing cars such as Astana martin, Lamborghini, Porsche form UK offering one of the most competitive pricing in Malaysia. Tong wants to be successful but says his end goal isn’t to be a high-profile leader or motivational speaker; that’s not how he defines success and it’s also not what he feels being a leader is all about. Tong also had mentioned that If people want to hear my story, if it gives them hope in dark times or if it helps them see a light at the end of the tunnel, I want to help them feel encouraged and hopeful. Ultimately, I don’t know if everyone would say I am successful and I do not necessarily feel like a leader.
5. AZHAR IBRAHIM (OKU MECHANIC)
Azhar Ibrahim who is 33 year old is an OKU mechanic which owns a mechanic shop at Perak. Azhar Ibrahim who loves to repair motorcycles when he was young. Azhar Ibrahim is visually impaired but he's become an example to people that everyone can be successful, especially those who are born with no disabilities and in a healthy condition. It all started when it was 7 years ago where his father frequently send his motorcycle to workshop where they charge expensive on the parts. So, he came up with an idea of own a mechanic shop where he repairs and fix motorcycles for a reasonable price to his customers.
“How did he learned”? Azhar Ibrahim only took one month to learn from his close friend, who offered to teach him some skills and knowledge on how to fix motorcycles. Although he is limited by vision, Azhar explained that his sense of touch plays a crucial role in helping him to ensure that the spare parts are installed correctly without any errors. Sense of touch is very important. From there, he can know where is the screw, block, carburetor, and other parts on the motorcycle. At some point of view, people has even describe him using the word OKU term but not as orang kurang upaya (persons with disability) but as 'orang kuat usaha' (persons who're hardworking) because he does not know the meaning of giving up. He always gives his best on his preferred job as he does with full of courage and loyalty on his job.
Azhar had been doing a great job till when he gotten so much attention from “Malaysian “Automotive Institute”. MAI funds the amount of RM13,000 contributed by MAI to furnish his workshop. Azhar's humble workspace did not even have a signage. With the funds, he was able to improve the workshop to make it more comfortable for himself and his customers. Azhar were also felt extremely thankful to his villagers and friends like him are also being supported by the MAI institutions.
In conclusion, every day thousands of people with disabilities are challenged, not because of their peers who discriminate against them. If we learn to include people with disabilities, they will prove to themselves and to others, that they can do everything we can, just in different ways. There are many disable people who success in Malaysia. Moreover, people with disabilities can live meaningful, satisfying, and productive lives, within their own communities, when provided adequate supports. We salute the courage and dedication of families and other advocates who have tirelessly worked to improve the lives of these deserving citizens.
“How did he learned”? Azhar Ibrahim only took one month to learn from his close friend, who offered to teach him some skills and knowledge on how to fix motorcycles. Although he is limited by vision, Azhar explained that his sense of touch plays a crucial role in helping him to ensure that the spare parts are installed correctly without any errors. Sense of touch is very important. From there, he can know where is the screw, block, carburetor, and other parts on the motorcycle. At some point of view, people has even describe him using the word OKU term but not as orang kurang upaya (persons with disability) but as 'orang kuat usaha' (persons who're hardworking) because he does not know the meaning of giving up. He always gives his best on his preferred job as he does with full of courage and loyalty on his job.
Azhar had been doing a great job till when he gotten so much attention from “Malaysian “Automotive Institute”. MAI funds the amount of RM13,000 contributed by MAI to furnish his workshop. Azhar's humble workspace did not even have a signage. With the funds, he was able to improve the workshop to make it more comfortable for himself and his customers. Azhar were also felt extremely thankful to his villagers and friends like him are also being supported by the MAI institutions.
In conclusion, every day thousands of people with disabilities are challenged, not because of their peers who discriminate against them. If we learn to include people with disabilities, they will prove to themselves and to others, that they can do everything we can, just in different ways. There are many disable people who success in Malaysia. Moreover, people with disabilities can live meaningful, satisfying, and productive lives, within their own communities, when provided adequate supports. We salute the courage and dedication of families and other advocates who have tirelessly worked to improve the lives of these deserving citizens.
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