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Meet the 4 Outstanding M’sians on the Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia 2024 List
When it comes to the richest people in Malaysia, Sugar King Robert Kuok, Hong Leong Co.’s Quek Leng Chan, and Public Banks’ Teh Siblings take the top three spots in that order on the Forbes list. However, rather than typical business moguls, when it comes to changemakers who are transforming their industries, four Malaysians have shone on Forbes’ 30 Under 30 Asia 2024 list.
Forbes' 30 Under 30 Asia list is an annual compilation of 30 individuals under the age of 30 who have demonstrated exceptional leadership, innovation, and impact in their respective fields across Asia. The list typically covers a wide range of industries, including technology, entertainment, and more. Each year, Forbes receives thousands of nominations as well as taps industry sources and the list’s alumni for recommendations before selecting the final honorees based on various criteria.
In 2023, Malaysia had three entries, and eight were in 2022. Read on to learn more about the Fab Four:
Image credit: @sivasangari_, thehivesea.comSivasangari Subramaniam (Squash Athlete)
Shining in the ‘Entertainment & Sports’ category alongside names such as Kpop band IVE and Thai actor Bright, Sivasangari is hailed as Malaysia’s latest Squash Princess. She truly made her name amongst Malaysians when she became the first Malaysian to win a gold-level tournament since Nicol David back in 2015 in the Processional Squash Association world tour.
Amazingly, the 25-year-old managed these achievements after suffering a serious car accident the year before. The good news is that squash will finally be an Olympic sport in 2028, and Malaysia will genuinely have a chance of winning gold.
Angel Low (Principal, The Hive Southeast Asia)
Armed with a Master’s Degree in Banking, Corporate, Finance, and Securities Law from the Renmin University of China, Angel has worked as an investment analyst at Malaysia Venture Capital Management and a project analyst at Huisheng Consulting Group. She currently serves as a principal at The Hive Southeast Asia, working with a hybrid venture capital and co-creation fund that invests in seed-stage technology companies in Malaysia and the region.
The 26-year-old is also the General Manager of AI Nusantara, a unique platform for students to explore the myriad of possibilities in the realm of Artificial Intelligence. How do people juggle so many roles? Hats off to them!
Image credit: @zhexi_lee, BernamaLee Zhe Xi (Chef Owner, Eat and Cook)
A star in the ‘The Arts (Art & Style, Food & Drink’ category is Zhe Xi, who started off with a 300-square-foot space. Within less than a year, his restaurant ‘Eat and Cook’ landed at no.79 on Asia’s 100 Best Restaurants list as well as the American Express One To Watch Award 2022.
Marketing itself as the ‘first ever Malaysian-style omakase,’ it was also named a Michelin-recommended restaurant in 2023 and 2024. The 27-year-old is also the co-chef/owner of Barkar KL, whose concept aims to revive community cooking with rough wood and charcoal open-flame dining.
Erica Eng (Comic Artist)
Being a professional comic artist probably isn’t what most parents would approve of, but hey, it got Erica on this list! Hailing from Batu Pahat, this 25-year-old is a remarkable example of someone who turned her failure into success.
After failing to leave her small town in Johor for the U.S., she turned her story into a webcomic and a graphic novel, which won the Eisner Award in 2022 (the industry’s equivalent of an Oscar). You can also read her semi-autobiographical story ‘Fried Rice’ online and in selected Malaysian bookstores.
Congrats to all of them!
Featured Image Credit: forbes.com, @sivasangari_
Featured Image Credit: forbes.com, @sivasangari_
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