This article first appeared in The Edge Malaysia Weekly on August 30, 2021 - September 5, 2021

On Aug 31, Malaysia celebrates its 64th year of independence. This nation of ours has come a long way. In the last 63 years, it has had its fair share of upheavals and crises, yet, each time, we managed to ride out the storm and battled on.

Now, Malaysia is facing a period of turbulence like never before, brought about by an interplay of several forces happening at almost the same time — a health crisis, political uncertainties and a threat to economic growth posed by a series of prolonged lockdowns.

For sure, Malaysia is not alone. Almost every economy in the world is facing very tough challenges, not least because of the pandemic and geopolitical tension, but also due to the rapid pace of technological advancement, which is disrupting the global economic landscape and perhaps even creating a new world order.

It is time to re-tool for the future. Nation-building does not involve just the political and social dimensions but also economic development and growth. This is where the power of youth can be tapped to help the Malaysian economy evolve and future-proof itself. 

Youths are the building blocks of a nation, and they drive transformation by spurring economic, social and political reforms. Youths can contribute to nation-building in several ways and these include creating employment for themselves and others, and being at the forefront of the country’s economic development.

Amid a daunting current environment and with bleak near-term prospects, it is important always to have hope and to work towards a better tomorrow.

The good news is that in Malaysia, a growing number of young people have already begun to make an impact on the economy and, in their own way, contribute to national growth. Indeed, the digital revolution that is driving change across the globe is led mostly by the younger generation. And Malaysia is no exception.

In this special pullout to mark Malaysia’s 64 years of independence, we feature some of the young people, some of whom are entrepreneurs, who are contributing to nation-building through their economic endeavours. 

Many of them have success stories to tell, and they represent a beacon of hope at a time when sentiment is dampened by the pandemic. Notably, their success rides on technology, a key driver of the future economy. They are enterprising individuals who have boldly ventured into uncharted waters. 

Lim Meng Hui, 38, is the founder of artificial intelligence-powered start-up SmartPeep, which provides healthcare solutions, especially for elder care. Recognising that technology, including AI, is the way of the future, he did not allow his early struggles to defeat him. Today, he has made inroads into the healthcare sector. His advice is: “Some of us may be walking in the dark, but we must not give up hope.”

We also spoke to Mohd Izzairi Yamin, the founder of logistics company, ZeptoExpress. ­Established in 2016, the crowd-sourced, on-demand delivery platform allows customers to make delivery bookings at their convenience. From the first service, ZeptoBike, the company has since expanded its offerings to include the transport of larger, bulkier items via ZeptoCar, ZeptoTruck, ZeptoAir and, most recently, a carbon-friendly option, ZeptoRun. In addition, the company has introduced ZeptoStore, its warehousing and fulfilment solution for clients in the fast-moving consumer goods business. 

In the following pages, we feature many other stories, including one on several tech start-ups founded by women, reinforcing the view that women have become a major force in the economy.

Hopefully, these stories will inspire others; that despite the odds, it is not all doom and gloom.

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