Part of building a vibrant and supportive community here on MyHeart includes sharing captivating stories of Malaysians around the world. Our traditions continue to bring Malaysians together wherever they are. From students, working professionals, entrepreneurs, freelancers to stay-at-home husband or wife, there's a story for everyone!
If you’re a Malaysian abroad who is keen on sharing your personal story, drop us a message and we’ll be in touch. Story submissions from overseas Malaysian associations covering events organised are also welcome — our guidelines can be found here.
From Malaysia to Japan: Bridging Two Nations Through Research and Collaboration
Culture & Lifestyle
From the suburbs of Bukit Mertajam to the bustling streets of Tokyo, Dr. Amy Poh...
September 10, 2024
From Malaysia to Japan: Bridging Two Nations Through Research and Collaboration
Culture & Lifestyle
From the suburbs of Bukit Mertajam to the bustling streets of Tokyo, Dr. Amy Poh has certainly come a long way. A multidisciplinary researcher who holds two PhDs in Economic Management and Mathematical Sciences, Dr. Amy is nothing short of a force in the field of academia.
Her outstanding qualifications have culminated in her current role as Special Research Fellow at the University of Tokyo, where she is focusing on developing a model to evaluate the factors influencing the public acceptance of security measures in smart grid initiatives. At the same time, she is chairing the inaugural Malaysia-Japan Visionaries Conference 2024 (MJVC), which aims to facilitate dialogue and knowledge exchange among academics, academicians and industrialists from both Malaysia and Japan.
On top of all that, she is a loving wife and mother to two children, demonstrating her remarkable ability to balance work and her personal life. This is the story of how she got to where she is today, and how she is working to strengthen the ties between Malaysian and Japanese researchers.
Balancing Academia and Family Life
Prior to moving to Japan in 2015, Dr. Amy first stepped foot on Japanese soil in 2010 to pursue her first PhD at Meiji University’s Institute for Advanced Study of Mathematical Sciences. She went on to hold research positions at esteemed institutions around the globe, including the University of Tokyo, California Institute of Technology, University of Hong Kong, Taiwan’s Tamkang University and Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM).
Following her marriage, she made the decision to move back to Tokyo, Japan, to start a family. Over the next four years, she earned her second PhD from the Division of Mathematics and Physics at Okayama University’s Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, supported by a scholarship.
During this time, she also grew her family by welcoming a son and a daughter.
Speaking on her research focus, Dr Amy revealed that it was inspired by her formative years at SRJK (C) Sin Ya, which instilled in her a deep appreciation for nature’s power. Besides that, her inspiration is “rooted in the belief that secure digital technologies are pivotal in shaping a resilient and sustainable future for energy distribution,” said Dr. Amy.
Leading the Malaysia-Japan Visionaries Conference 2024
Besides her research work and motherhood, Dr. Amy is keeping busy by chairing the Malaysia-Japan Visionaries Conference 2024.
Due to take place from 14 to 16 September this year at the University of Tokyo, the conference is a partnership between the two nations in every way, with a team of 45 Malaysian and Japanese researchers on the organising committee. Furthermore, the event will see 500 participants gather to discuss advancements in various disciplines such as Science and Technology, Social Sciences and Humanities, Law and more.
Among these participants are 100 presenters, who will be submitting papers for publication in a 500-page proceedings book titled ‘Proceedings of the Malaysia-Japan Visionaries Conference 2024 – Integration and Innovation across Diverse Disciplines’.
Moving forward, these proceedings will serve as a valuable resource for industries in both Malaysia and Japan who seek R&D collaboration opportunities. As the strategic partner, TalentCorp is providing a ¥1 million (equivalent to RM30,000) grant to support the conference, as well as a RM50,000 bursary to assist up to 20 participating Malaysian researchers.
Inspiring the next generation of researchers
In the long run, Dr. Amy hopes to continue collaborating with more Malaysians via MyHeart, to give back to Malaysia. Receiving scholarships from the Malaysian government for her undergraduate and master’s studies has fostered in her a strong sense of responsibility to contribute to Malaysia, regardless of where she may be stationed.
As such, she hopes to engage with TalentCorp and MyHeart to explore ways to work together to support the development of talent and promote research excellence across borders.
For Malaysians inspired to go down the same path as her, Dr. Amy advised starting by cultivating a solid academic foundation and seeking mentorship to navigate the global academic landscape effectively.
She also encouraged staying connected to one’s roots, as one’s cultural heritage is a source of strength and identity that can foster meaningful connections and collaborations worldwide.
Are you a Malaysian abroad seeking to collaborate with other Malaysians in your field of work? Sign up on MyHeart to explore collaboration opportunities or discover potential collaborators.
From Malaysia to Europe: When Passions Align and Malaysians Unite towards Sports Innovation
Culture & Lifestyle
Despite having lived in the UK for 16 years, Dr. Ahmad Syahid A. Fawzal heart...
August 30, 2024
From Malaysia to Europe: When Passions Align and Malaysians Unite towards Sports Innovation
Culture & Lifestyle
Despite having lived in the UK for 16 years, Dr. Ahmad Syahid A. Fawzal heart remains faithful to his one and only home, Malaysia. This computational fluid dynamics (CFD) engineer, whose expertise and talent have garnered him multiple sponsorships up to the completion of his industrial automotive PhD at Coventry University, expresses this deep-rooted love through working towards the betterment of Malaysia’s industries; such as the automotive industry and in this case, the cycling industry! However, how was he to do this 10,500 km away from home?
It began with reaching out to the community that mattered to him the most. Through social media, Dr. Aid built himself a reputation within the Malaysian engineering community, where he was able to share his knowledge from abroad into the domestic realm, as well as network with the most prominent leaders in the field. He had also made use of MyHeart, granting him the opportunity to connect with diverse Malaysian talents around the world. Through one new connection to the next, Dr. Aid was more than delighted to contribute his knowledge back to his home country, albeit of a smaller impact than expected.
Tenaciously, he did not stop searching for more opportunities to give back to his nation; an effort soon to bear fruit in the near future. Soon enough in 2022, destiny knocked on Dr. Aid’s door when he returned to Malaysia for vacation. Bostami Ahmad, CIDe , a young man whose childhood passion in design and cycling had now extended to coincide with Dr. Aid’s passion in propelling Malaysia forward, had invited Dr. Aid out for durians. As they sat together in the sweltering heat, their conversation unfolded to be just as sweet as the saccharine fruits in hand: Bostami had presented him with an initial design collaboration involving the Institut Sukan Negara Malaysia (ISN).
“Let’s create the world’s very first Malaysian bicycle brand!”
The Bozetta FZ8: Born in Malaysia
Now, the year is 2024. Bozetta Bikes has been established as a Malaysian brand on par with international standards and its very first creation, the Bozetta FZ8 bicycle, has finally come to be. It feels just like a dream, one that both Dr. Aid and Bostami have been very fortunate to turn into reality!
As the Centre of Excellence in Sports Technology R&D, the ISN provided Dr. Aid and Bostami with the resources to focus their efforts on enhancing the bike’s aerodynamics. By making use of their connections abroad, they allowed for the experts to test their bike’s wind resistance at the Silverstone Engineering Hub in the UK. As for the way Dr. Aid and Bostami worked collaboratively, their individual expertise truly complemented one another. Where Bostami specialised in the bike's design – having had previous experience in Lamborghini, a supercar company in Italy, Dr. Aid specialised in regulating the practicality of such design by facilitating aerodynamic tests.
This marked the beginning of the Bozetta FZ8’s journey in finding its rightful place in the global sports world!
What’s Next for Malaysia?
Currently, the Bozetta FZ8 is being used by Malaysia’s athletes during their warm up sessions, having garnered positive responses from our athletes in terms of its comfort and flexibility. Although it has yet to compete in the Olympics itself, Dr. Aid , Bostami and the ISN look forward to its involvement in Los Angeles 2028. Furthermore, we are sure that the entire nation similarly hopes for glorious victories by our athletes in the upcoming Paris Olympic bicycle race after these training enhancements.
On a wider scale, as Dr. Aid and Bostami explain that their vision for the Bozetta had always been one of accessibility and for the general public, they anticipate Malaysia’s revolutionary bike cycling their way into neighbourhoods, city streets and various places around the world! The ISN is similarly hopeful, having initially supported Dr. Aid and Bostami’s passions in hopes of Malaysia’s industries growing further through more extensive R&D and its potential to enter the commercial field; to which the Bozetta FZ8 has successfully fulfilled!
The CEO of ISN, Ahmad Faedzal Md Ramli, adds to this as well, explaining that he hopes the Bozetta FZ8’s success story inspires Malaysians to be more involved in the betterment of the nation either through R&D, technology advancement initiatives or leveraging one’s expertise. He additionally expresses his gratitude towards Dr. Aid, stating that having a local expert on the team is a legacy; one that uplifts the story of Malaysian diaspora contributing back to the nation.
This cross-border collaboration returns to the very core of MyHeart, aligning with the aim to bridge incredible Malaysian talents abroad with organisations and individuals back home for the continued growth of our nation.
Truly, their success story is reflective of how successful Malaysians are when talents convene and put their expertise together when working towards one, united goal. From Dr. Aid’s sincere love and dedication for Malaysia, Bostami’s passion in pushing Malaysia forward into the global sports (cycling) industry, to the ISN’s commitment in the development of Malaysian sports industries, they’ve come together to take one revolutionary step forward for the whole nation.
Looking back on what Bostami has created with Dr. Aid ’s aerodynamic analysis support, it is undeniable that when Malaysian talents work with one another, their efforts can truly lead to big opportunities. This is especially so when it comes to those living abroad and equipped with experience from working in world-class companies. It is instances such as this one that fuel Dr. Aid’s and Bostami’s encouragement of Malaysians worldwide using MyHeart to accomplish milestones never before imagined. With a platform that facilitates connections between Malaysians regardless of where they are in the world, it allows for discovering new and unexpected collaborative opportunities that can help one realise their aspirations and chase their dreams for a better future!
Inspired by this collaboration across borders story? You could do the same as a MyHeart member. Register on the MyHeart portal and explore the opportunities available!
From Penang to Jakarta: Representing Malaysia in the Heart of ASEAN
Culture & Lifestyle
Dr. Sasikala Sankaran Pillai, affectionately known as Dr. Sasi, is the Chief Internal Auditor at...
August 23, 2024
From Penang to Jakarta: Representing Malaysia in the Heart of ASEAN
Culture & Lifestyle
Dr. Sasikala Sankaran Pillai, affectionately known as Dr. Sasi, is the Chief Internal Auditor at the ASEAN Secretariat in Jakarta. Over the past six years, she has embraced the region's cultural diversity and fostered unity among ASEAN members. Despite her impressive role, she describes herself as “just an average Malaysian who looks at life with positivism and adventure.” Her journey from Malaysia to Indonesia reflects her commitment to bridging economic and cultural divides within the ASEAN nations.
A Legacy of Patriotism and Family Influence
Dr. Sasikala's deep sense of patriotism stems from her family's history of military service. “My father served in the Malaysian Army, and my younger brother joined the Malaysian Air Force,” she explains. “Even my grandparents served in the police force, and my great-grandfather was taken by the Japanese during the occupation to build the River Kwai bridge.” Growing up surrounded by such dedication instilled in her a strong desire to contribute to her country, ultimately leading her to ASEAN.
Family plays a central role in her life. “We are a very patriotic family,” she says. “I felt I had the honour to serve my country in a unique way, contributing to the region without holding a gun.”
Educational Pursuits and Professional Achievements
Dr. Sasikala's academic journey is impressive. “I did my Bachelor of Accounting at Universiti Utara Malaysia,” she begins. “Then I did my MBA in the United States, followed by a one-year internship,” she recalls. “I continued working there for about ten years before returning to Malaysia to complete my PhD at Universiti Sains Malaysia.” This solid educational foundation laid the groundwork for her career.
Breaking new ground, she became the first Malaysian and the first woman to hold the Chief Internal Auditor position at ASEAN. “The selection process was rigorous, involving interviews with ten ambassadors from the ASEAN countries,” she shares. “It was a tough journey, but my determination and qualifications helped me secure the role.” Her professional achievements also include coordinating the ASEAN Audit Committee meetings for five years and working with different chairing countries. “I've gained a lot of exposure working with different people and cultures, which has been incredibly enriching.”
Challenges and Adaptations
Relocating to Jakarta presented challenges, particularly regarding the cost of living and language barriers. “The cost of living in Jakarta was a major shock. Buying basic household items was unexpectedly expensive,” she explains. “However, my background in accounting helped me budget effectively.”
Language barriers also posed a significant challenge. “I assumed that speaking Bahasa would be enough, but soon realised there are significant differences in everyday words,” she notes. One memorable incident highlighted these challenges: “I asked a Gojek driver to 'ikut kereta depan,' expecting him to follow the car in front, but he was confused and panicked because 'kereta' here refers to a train, not a car.” This experience reminded her of the importance of understanding local language nuances.
Her commitment to cultural diplomacy is evident in her efforts to represent Malaysia at every ASEAN audit meeting by wearing traditional attire such as baju kurung or baju kebaya. “This is our national attire, and by wearing it, I make sure to represent my country appropriately,” she explains. Beyond attire, she hosts events such as open houses during Deepavali and Hari Raya, serving traditional Malaysian dishes like nasi lemak, nasi tomato, and mee goreng mamak. “These events educate my staff about Malaysian culture, many of whom have never visited Malaysia,” she says.
Bringing Global Insights Home
Dr. Sasikala eagerly shares her intentions when asked if she plans to return to Malaysia. “I'm looking forward to coming back home and finding a position to pass on my experiences from the U.S. and Jakarta to our young folks in Malaysia,” she says. Her time abroad has enriched her professionally and provided valuable lessons. “Life isn’t going to be easy with digitalisation shaping our future; it’s more competitive than ever,” she adds.
Dr. Sasikala's professional achievements include completing her PhD while in Indonesia and earning several professional certifications, such as Certified Fraud Examiner. “These accomplishments have prepared me to contribute significantly upon my return to Malaysia,” she asserts. She is passionate about mentoring the younger generation and sharing insights from her diverse experiences to help them navigate a rapidly digitalising world.
Strengthening Cultural Bonds Abroad
As an avid reader of the stories on the MyHeart Portal, Dr. Sasikala is a strong advocate for the initiative. “I think this is excellent because it gets everybody together. It's networking and shows the initiative of TalentCorp to connect and feature Malaysia and Malaysians,” she says. Maintaining connections with Malaysia is essential, regardless of one's location worldwide. “This platform helps us stay connected with Malaysia, no matter where we are in the world,” she concludes.
Like many Malaysians abroad, Dr. Sasi deeply values her ties to home and is glad to be part of a global community of Malaysians through MyHeart. If you have yet to join the community, sign up on the MyHeart portal today and start connecting with fellow Malaysians worldwide.
From Kuching to the World: Improving Financial Literacy and Sharing Malaysian Stories
Culture & Lifestyle
Growing up in Kuching, Sarawak, Edrea Lee Yian Huay values her parents' dedication to ensuring...
August 14, 2024
From Kuching to the World: Improving Financial Literacy and Sharing Malaysian Stories
Culture & Lifestyle
Growing up in Kuching, Sarawak, Edrea Lee Yian Huay values her parents' dedication to ensuring she receives an excellent education. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Economics from the University of Michigan, USA, where she also gained valuable experience working for a year post-graduation. Returning to Malaysia, Edrea honed her skills as a Strategy Analyst before embarking on a career break.
Currently, she is pursuing a postgraduate degree in Business Analytics at the Imperial College Business School, London. Edrea embodies a commitment to lifelong learning and takes pride in her Malaysian roots.
Unveiling the Entrepreneurial Spirit
Edrea's entrepreneurial journey began with Vespid, a financial literacy platform for Malaysians. Initially funded with USD 10k from the University of Michigan’s optiMize Social Innovation Challenge, she envisioned Vespid as an interactive stock investing platform designed to simplify trading for beginners overwhelmed by traditional platforms.
Navigating Malaysia's strict regulatory environment for trading platforms prompted a pivot towards addressing a more urgent need: financial literacy. She recognised that Malaysians need accessible financial knowledge, and thus, Vespid transformed into a platform dedicated to educating users in bite-sized financial concepts.
“Though this entrepreneurial journey has not always been a bed of roses, and there are times when the team feels very lost about what they're doing, their passion for problem-solving, specifically addressing the issue of financial literacy, does not die.”
With a team of just five, Edrea is now focused on accelerating Vespid’s development to meet the growing demand for financial education.
Storytelling Across Borders
Beyond entrepreneurship, Edrea amplifies Malaysian voices through Borak Overseas (B.O.S), a podcast showcasing the experiences of Malaysians worldwide. B.O.S provides a platform for Malaysians to share their diverse experiences abroad.
“I'm very impressed by how talented Malaysians from all corners of the world really are, regardless of their profession [...] Meeting Malaysians abroad, we can always feel this sense of connection and warmth.”
Edrea has interviewed a diverse range of guests, including the co-founder of CoffeeSpace, a Tinder-like “match-making” app for connecting co-founders; an accounts executive turned content creator; a civil engineer who has built his career from Malaysia to the Middle East and then to London; and a couple pursuing their dreams of travelling and working remotely as digital nomads.
Edrea's hosting skills earned her the opportunity to moderate a panel discussion on "Advancing Malaysia’s Venture Ecosystem" during the MyHeart Innovate Startup Accelerator Sharing Session. Her skilled moderation brought out the best in the panel members, including the Group CEO of Cradle (Malaysia’s focal agency for the startup ecosystem), the Founding Partner of RHL Ventures (a multi-stage venture capital firm in Malaysia), and the Founder of Accendo Technologies (a local startup). The participants, primarily venture builders and aspiring entrepreneurs, gained valuable insights into Malaysia's startup landscape.
A Journey Back Home
Despite her global journey, Edrea is drawn back to Malaysia after pursuing studies and work in the USA and the UK. With her Master's degree in sight, she aims to contribute her skills and experiences to Malaysia and Southeast Asia's evolving landscape. Edrea's aspiration stems from a desire to find meaningful work that aligns with her values and makes a positive impact in her homeland.
Edrea believes that Malaysians abroad can contribute significantly to the country. Addressing brain drain doesn't necessarily mean just brain gain—brain circulation is key as global mobility increases. Malaysians can support national development even while living abroad.
If you’re a Malaysian abroad looking to connect with fellow Malaysians like Edrea, join the MyHeart community to tap into its global network of Malaysians.
From Malaysia to Singapore: A Writer Shedding Light on Stories that Matter
Culture & Lifestyle
From a young age, Ipoh-born Amanda Yeap knew she was drawn to writing. She would...
August 6, 2024
From Malaysia to Singapore: A Writer Shedding Light on Stories that Matter
Culture & Lifestyle
From a young age, Ipoh-born Amanda Yeap knew she was drawn to writing. She would get lost in words and worlds, at first in story books, then later on in novels. In time, this blossomed into ambitions of being not only a writer, but a reporter who makes a difference through highlighting stories that matter.
Today, this dream has brought her to the metropolitan city state of Singapore, where she has now resided for nearly six years.
Early beginnings & eventual move
After finishing her studies in KL, Amanda decided to return to Ipoh and work as a reporter for The Star. It proved to be the ideal fresh grad job as she was not only able to further her career at a well-established company but do so within the comfort of home. During this time, she saw firsthand how reporting can play a significant role in resolving community issues. “I could give a voice to the voiceless and uncover issues that plague residents who don’t know where to turn to.”
Four years after that, Amanda decided it was time to expand her horizons. With that, she set her sights on Singapore. “The journey (to Singapore) wasn’t very smooth because it was hard for me to get the first step in, even by applying for jobs that are related to my field.” In fact, it took her six months of sending out applications before she finally scored her first interview. Furthermore, it was only upon her second interview that she secured a job and thus a way into the next chapter of her career trajectory.
Solidifying a career in the Lion City
In Singapore, Amanda kickstarted her media career as a writer at alternative news outlet Must Share News, the news publishing arm of media company The Smart Local. Here, Amanda spearheaded some of its most viral news stories, such as a comprehensive report on alleged staff mistreatment at a leading YouTube channel and an insightful interview with a full-time cosplayer.
Inspired by the growing emphasis on mental health awareness and how to provide adequate support in the wake of Covid-19, she also delivered company-wide talks on mental health at the workplace, playing a substantial role in reshaping office culture.
Advantages & challenges as a Malaysian reporter in Singapore
In many ways, Amanda’s experience in Malaysia has given her a leg up abroad. For one, Malaysia’s multiculturalism fostered in her an innate understanding and empathy of different viewpoints and cultures. Additionally, her trilingual education helps her overcome language barriers much more easily.
That is not to say that she has not encountered challenges transitioning to a familiar industry in a new country. One of the top ones was understanding the issues that resonate with Singaporeans. Specialising in social media news at Must Share News became the perfect crash course, as it helped her gauge Singaporeans’ topics of interests and the sentiments surrounding them through the intense discourse that usually surrounds this type of news. The knowledge and insights she gained from this job would later serve as a launchpad for her current role as a Senior Journalist at TODAY, a news website under the Mediacorp banner.
Staying connected to home through connections
Despite coming such a long way, Amanda still finds ways to connect with fellow countrymen, whether it be through friendships with Malaysian expatriates in Singapore like herself or through the MyHeart Stories. She hopes that the portal can continue to find ways to spread awareness among Malaysians living abroad all around the world, so that others like her can reap its benefits.
Are you a Malaysian living abroad who hopes to connect with others like yourself? Register yourself on MyHeart to register and begin your search!
From Malaysia to the UK: Adlinn and Danial’s Story on Perseverance, Courage and Family
Culture & Lifestyle
Seated by the coffee table, Danial can barely contain his excitement as his wife and...
July 23, 2024
From Malaysia to the UK: Adlinn and Danial’s Story on Perseverance, Courage and Family
Culture & Lifestyle
Seated by the coffee table, Danial can barely contain his excitement as his wife and son return home from school. He watches them enter the room, young Ezra quickly toddling away while Adlinn’s hand remains on the handle. As she closes the door gently behind her, Danial decides that it is time. “Adlinn,” he begins slowly. “I dapat kerja ya.” “Kat UK?” she asks, trying to stifle the enthusiasm in her tone.
She can already see it: Autumn strolls with her children as crimson leaves fall. Winter rolls around and her little ones are playing in the snow. It’s going to be perfect! “Yes, kat UK,” Danial replies. Adlinn pauses briefly as she keeps herself in check, Danial’s response nearly rendering her speechless. It’s final.
Turning to face him, she smiles and exclaims, “Jom!”
A Once in a Lifetime Opportunity
How did all this happen? The couple’s journey to Birmingham, UK, began with a sparkling test engineer job offer at TUV’s European branch on LinkedIn. Not putting too much thought into it, Danial submitted an application to test his luck and sure enough, the stars above bestowed upon him a confirmed job offer in only 2 days!
Looking back, he says that this opportunity could have been due to the way he uses LinkedIn. By networking and sharing relevant information whenever he can, Danial has built himself a reputable image within the engineering community brick by brick and advises others just beginning their engineering careers to do the same.
Another piece of advice Danial has to offer stems from his former and current work experiences in Malaysia and the UK. Firmly believing that Malaysian talents are on par, if not better than those abroad, he encourages Malaysians to keep striving for success and advises them to continue improving their communication skills to ensure clarity and not to hesitate when asking questions or voicing opinions.
These pointers have undoubtedly helped guide Danial to the success of his engineering career and his new life halfway across the globe. Yet subtle doubts cloud his mind: Will things be better living in a foreign country? Will I be able to make my family happy in the UK?
New Experiences, New Lessons
Fast forward and Adlinn and Danial have spent their first year in Birmingham. They reminisce about their ‘settling in’ period with pride and a sense of achievement.
Building their new home had been one of Adlinn’s greatest accomplishments as it was built from the ground up upon beams of sacrifice and risk. Prior to their move, she and Danial had also just recently moved into their newly bought home in Malaysia, meaning that she had to let go of past dreams about the life she and her family could have led back home. For instance, Adlinn had envisioned their kitchen to cater to her content creator scene and intended to carve out a mini workspace for herself. Nevertheless, she’s successfully managed to put together the beautiful home her family now lives in, which Adlinn has ensured every nook and cranny is child-friendly and as reminiscent of home as much as she can.
People say that the grass is always greener where you water it. Adlinn and Danial agree. Then again, moving to a first-world country inevitably comes with higher expenses and having to make life adjustments. The couple share the differences of living a minimalist lifestyle: having to cook most of their meals instead of dining out, running frequent grocery trips or something as simple as being unable to head to the mamak for a snack at any time of the day. On the topic of food, ingredients differ and the authentic flavours of home can never truly be replicated. The culture shock extends even outside of home. Danial knows all too well the alienating feeling of bringing rice and freshly-packed lauk as he sits by his colleagues at lunch as they munch away on a singular bag of crisps.
However, these changes have led to the couple’s more profound sense of appreciation for one another. As Danial himself says, “My biggest supporter? My wife.”
Knowing that her husband would become the sole breadwinner for their family, Adlinn took it upon herself to start a personal shopper business, ‘Add Your Business’, to support him. She had also been the one to constantly reassure Danial’s doubts, reminding him that while they did indeed have to start from scratch, they were both doing this together. Living 10,500 km away from his comfort zone, Danial is more than grateful to have Adlinn by his side.
A Sense of Community and Belonging
As for the cultural differences, a friend of Danial’s had recommended MyHeart to him. It is a platform that allows him to meet and connect with other Malaysians around the world, giving him hope towards finding more people like him and his family. He encourages every Malaysian abroad to learn more about this effort and join the Malaysian community on MyHeart.
Now, Adlinn and Danial host regular potluck dinners with their newfound community in Birmingham and take their children to celebrate Malaysian holidays in London, such as Malaysia Day and Chinese New Year. They additionally make it a point to speak only Bahasa Melayu when at home, maintaining a strong sense of Malaysian pride and culture in Eleena and Ezra.
While life in the UK may continue to change as challenges and new experiences arise, what remains constant is their family and the heartfelt moments Adlinn and Danial spend with their children. As Danial encapsulates best in his own words: “Life in the UK is Adlinn, Eleena and Ezra.”
If you’re a Malaysian abroad who would like to connect with other Malaysians in your community, register yourself on MyHeart to get started.
From Kedah to Wellington: Championing youth involvement in public policy
Culture & Lifestyle
Muhammad Nur Hisham bin Md Haron, or more fondly known as Hisham, grew up in...
July 9, 2024
From Kedah to Wellington: Championing youth involvement in public policy
Culture & Lifestyle
Muhammad Nur Hisham bin Md Haron, or more fondly known as Hisham, grew up in Sik, a small town up north of Malaysia in the land of paddy fields, Kedah. Fuelled by his humble beginnings coming from a low-income household, much of his motivation to succeed today is driven by his commitment to providing his family a better life.
Now an accounting student minoring in public policy at the Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand, Hisham balances working towards his professional career in auditing and a passion for public policy.
Our Role as a Malaysian Citizen
This aspiring policymaker has an interest that started early on in his schooling days, during which he would participate in public speaking and parliamentary debates representing his school. “I think it's very important for all of us to learn public policy because every policy made by the government will have the ultimate impact on the people” he shares. However, now more than ever as a JPA scholar, he explains that he shoulders more responsibility in keeping himself informed and involved. “We are sponsored by the government - all the tuition fees, flight tickets and monthly allowances are paid by the rakyat”, he elaborates.
As a member of the student wing of a Malaysian political party, he advocates for student issues such as concerns on water supply at the Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) and stateless children in Sabah and Sarawak. Though far from home, he continues to contribute virtually wherever possible. This aligns with the spirit of MyHeart, which encourages all Malaysians abroad to give back to the nation from wherever they are.
In addition, being part of the International Bureau of the Youth wing of the said political party connects him with Malaysian students globally from the USA and Jordan who share the same aspirations and political ideology to represent their student community.
The Future of Public Policy in Malaysia
In sharing his views, Hisham has a positive outlook on what’s to come for Malaysia, “Honestly, we are on the right track because we have many long-term policies that are currently being implemented, such as Dasar Ekonomi Madani, the National Energy Transition Roadmap, the New Industrial Master Plan, and Dasar Gaji Progresif.” To him, the focus should be on the welfare of the people, not the development of skyscrapers and the like.
Being Part of a Malaysian Community
Just like many Malaysians we’ve spoken to, Hisham shares the same sentiment of the importance of staying connected to Malaysians abroad. Taking care of the relationship among themselves is important, especially in times of need. Referencing a recent road accident involving five Malaysian students, Hisham explains that fellow Malaysians were ready to assist in handling many things. “Ustaz Idris, the imam of Masjid An-Nur, is one of the Malaysians in New Zealand who helped a lot in handling things for the students. When in need, they are ready to help”.
The strong bonds of Malaysians across borders and the sense of unity wherever they are in the world is heartwarming. MyHeart continues to grow its community of Malaysians globally – creating a space for them to stay in touch and collaborate. Speaking from a student’s point of view, Hisham finds MyHeart to be a great platform to leverage on building connections with professionals in his field.
As a proud Malaysian, Hisham hopes to see more youths keeping up with current affairs and taking an interest in understanding how public policies impact the people of Malaysia. Understanding the importance of keeping our audience informed, MyHeart continues to find ways to bring the latest news on Malaysia’s development through monthly newsletters, bite-sized social media content and sharing of news articles on the portal.
Looking ahead, Hisham hopes to build a career in audit upon graduating. Exciting times await this driven student, and we hope to see him continue thriving and making Malaysia proud.
Are you a Malaysian student abroad looking to connect with fellow Malaysians? Sign up on MyHeart today and discover other like-minded individuals.
From Malaysia to China: Raymond Hong’s journey to fostering diplomatic and economic ties between Malaysia and China
Culture & Lifestyle
For some, being a people person allows them to easily make new acquaintances and appreciate...
June 18, 2024
From Malaysia to China: Raymond Hong’s journey to fostering diplomatic and economic ties between Malaysia and China
Culture & Lifestyle
For some, being a people person allows them to easily make new acquaintances and appreciate social settings. For Raymond Hong, it became a lifelong calling. Now having lived in China for 16 years, he takes his ambassadorial-like role for Malaysia seriously via his company, RecruitPlus, a recruitment firm specialising in linking companies from China and ASEAN to deserving talents, as well as his services for the Malaysian Chamber of Commerce China - Shanghai (MAYCHAM Shanghai).
Money isn’t everything
Raymond’s initial decision to move to China was simple - he wanted to learn Mandarin, a language he didn’t get a chance to learn during his formative years in Sekolah Kebangsaan.
When it comes to his efforts as then Vice Chairman and now as Secretary General in MayCham Shanghai, Raymond simply does it out of his love for connecting with people; he even admits that there is no monetary value for him in the endeavour.
The Malaysian Chamber of Commerce China - Shanghai or MayCham Shanghai for short, serves as a diplomatic and economic facilitator between Malaysia and China. It hosts between 2-3 events monthly to further strengthen ties between Malaysia and China, be it for ministers and dignitaries through government-related events or between companies from either country to promote investment, trade and information sharing. One of these events includes a Merdeka Gala dinner which he has been hosting annually, with around 700 participants, being the largest national celebration by a foreign chamber in Shanghai. Raymond estimates that he would have spent at least 30% of his time on his efforts with MayCham Shanghai as he truly enjoys meeting people and promoting Malaysia to the Chinese community.
The importance of resilience
While Raymond is all in favour of developing and strengthening professional networks, he does not overlook the importance of hard work, staying innovative and working smart to achieve your goals. The ability to be resilient to overcome setbacks and failures is something he knows all too well, having competed in a market made up of 1.4 billion in its population. The key to thriving in his opinion is to take everything one step at a time and continuously believe in whatever you set out to accomplish.
This is why he believes that all Malaysians abroad have a role to play for the betterment of the nation. No matter how big or small their contribution, every little bit will help in the long run.
Patriots come from all walks of life
Like Raymond, MyHeart also believes in the ability of Malaysians abroad to share their expertise and unique perspectives with fellow Malaysians, allowing those still at home to implement new ideas and be inspired to create a brighter tomorrow.
Join other like-minded Malaysians abroad by registering on the MyHeart portal and explore what else is in store for you!
A collaborative synergy between the Malay Language and Culture Society (MALECS) Manchester and Anak Rantau...
June 5, 2024
A celebration of Malaysian Music in the UK
Culture & Lifestyle
A collaborative synergy between the Malay Language and Culture Society (MALECS) Manchester and Anak Rantau UK brought the Malaysian pop musical band Masdo to an international stage in February this year.
MALECS was established in 2014 to introduce the diverse Malaysian culture to an international audience and serves as a platform for Malaysians in Manchester to socialise with each other. Focused initially on promoting Malay literature such as pantun, puisi and sajak, MALECS members consist of 22 members. Over the years, the association evolved, and the events organised diversified.
In the summer of 2023, Adi Irfan, MALECS' event coordinator, an accounting undergraduate student at the University of Manchester, met Masdo at a fan meet and greet session in Malaysia. During their conversation, Adi discovered that the band had seen videos of him performing Masdo’s songs in Manchester during the Rainbow of Culture event, an annual cultural event organised by MALECS. Leveraging this opportunity, the idea and possibility of having Masdo perform in the UK in 2024 were initiated. Fast forward a few months later, Masdo expressed their commitment to doing a UK tour, and Adi immediately got to work and proposed the idea to the head of MALECS.
Bringing the concert to life
As a student association, they faced unique challenges in planning an event of such a scale. To see this event through, a collaboration was formed with Anak Rantau UK, a Malaysian event production company based in London, who played a significant role in the making of the concert by providing support through funding and guidance from start to finish. Between exams and sourcing a venue within a tight timeline, it was the beginning of a steep learning curve for Adi.
“Having a good team matters.” As the saying goes, teamwork makes the dream work. Supporting him was a team of 10 people consisting of students and professionals who managed different areas of the event. On the day of the concert, he had a total of 21 crew members, including representatives from Anak Rantau UK, alongside him.
Leveraging on Malaysian networks
To promote the concert, MALECS worked closely with Malaysian Student Associations across the UK. Meetings were set up to spread the word about the concert and create noise in the social media space. Anak Rantau UK and Masdo showed their support through cross-posting on Instagram to promote the concert to their .
Now, with MyHeart, MALECS and other Malaysian associations alike can list their events on the MyHeart portal to reach a wider Malaysian audience. They can also easily manage their events via the events module.
An overwhelming turnout
Months of hard work were made well worth the effort. Malaysians travelled far and wide from all around the UK to attend the concert. The show in Manchester almost sold out with 480 turnouts, while London completely sold out all 350 tickets. Adi shared that Malaysians who attended that night were ecstatic and in disbelief that Masdo was actually in the UK to perform. MALECS even received requests to bring more local performers to the UK.
Reflecting on the journey
Recalling an incident, Adi shares that the team encountered technical issues at the London show due to the venue’s sound system being different from the one typically used by the band. This was something they did not anticipate happening. Having faced this, Adi had to think one step ahead and prevent the same thing from happening in Manchester.
Overall, “It was fun, I learned a lot, and we as a team learned a lot”, Adi shares.
What’s next for MALECS?
This year, the association will continue to plan its usual annual events, such as the Rainbow of Culture and Pasar Malam. These are their flagship events, open to both Malaysians and non-Malaysians. Rainbow of Culture is a social event that showcases performances by students, traditional Malaysian games and the selling of Malaysian food. Their Pasar Malam event needs no introduction. With an array of Malaysian food being sold by students and working professionals, it is something many look forward to that reminds them of home.
Adi hopes to promote MALECS’ upcoming events on MyHeart to reach a wider audience. He is also looking forward to using the new event management feature on the MyHeart Events Module to create, share and manage their events moving forward.
Are you a Malaysian association looking to organise an event abroad? Sign up on MyHeart to list your event and manage it all in one place.
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Dr Catheryn Lim
Who is Dr Catheryn Lim?
Currently a Senior Research Fellow at Matthew Wood group and Chair, Early-Mid Career Researchers Committee at Department of Paediatrics, University of Oxford. Received her Ph.D., Molecular Genetics and Biochemistry from UNSW
Dr. Lim is now working on understanding disease mechanisms and developing genetic treatments for neuromuscular diseases. Two of these strategies are now at later stages of development where she is collaborating with industrial partners to optimise the strategies in preparation for first-in-human clinical trials.
Format of the sharing session
The participants for the session consisted of students and academicians coming from various biological and related sciences background.
During the session, Dr. Lim shared about her experience and journey in the research world and delved into the new developments being made in genetic treatments (specifically in neuromuscular diseases). She also shared some tips and advice on how to be active in the biotechnology research industry.
Outcome
The session has exposed 183 participants to new development in genetic treatments (specifically in neuromuscular diseases).
Dr Aid Fawzal
Who is Dr Aid Fawzal?
Experienced CFD Engineer with a demonstrated history of working in the automotive, energy and oil & gas industries. Strong professional background with a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Mechanical, Automotive and Manufacturing Engineering from Coventry University. Invented a constant number which is called the Fawzal Number (Fa) which is used to optimize supercar’s cooling system.
Format of the sharing session
Our participants consist of students from various engineering field and various level of studies, from bachelor’s degree to PhD.
During the session, Dr Aid shared with us the step-by-step process involved in designing a car using a simulation software where he explained why certain components are designed in such ways and the importance of each component. He also shared some tips to students who are planning to go into the automotive field.
Outcome
The session has benefited 284 participants with new knowledge and exposure to the automotive world and inspire our future engineers to pursue and improve our automotive industry.
Samantha Chong
In 2022, we collaborated with KL City Opera and organised a masterclass with
Samantha Chong, a Malaysian mezzo-soprano based in Hong Kong
Objective
To develop the performing arts scene in Malaysia via a collaboration with a
leading name in classical Italian opera.
Format of the masterclass
The masterclass was held over 2 days, where 4 participants were selected to perform
an aria or duet. Samantha then provided verbal and demonstrative feedback to each participant for 7-9 minutes each, which included song and scene interpretation, and stage presence.
Outcome
Samantha made a conscious effort to focus her sharing NOT on singing, but on the various aspects of performance, something that Malaysian performers lacked. So, MyCollabs acted as a medium for her to guide the students in navigating the world of classical opera, including dealing with different stakeholders like conductors, music directors and repetiteurs.
The students, on the other hand, received a rare opportunity to undergo a masterclass conducted by a seasoned performer for free. They could then use the knowledge they gained to enhance their opera skills and hopefully, pursue a career as full-time professional opera singers, something which is a rarity in Asia.
