Today is International Men’s Day, a time to celebrate the men of Malaysia who have added uplifting narratives to the fabric of this country.
FMT Lifestyle highlights five guys who epitomise this ideal, each of whom has made his mark through an unyielding pursuit of excellence, a deep dedication to his chosen field, and a firm faith in the transformative potential of his work.
1. Bernard Chandran
An icon in his own right, Bernard Chandran is one of Malaysia’s, and the world’s, most prolific fashion designers.
Renowned for his admiration for Malaysian culture and his talent for design, the Kuala Lumpur native nearly pursued a career in accounting before switching to fashion school.
He has since designed for royalty and international stars such as Estelle, Lady Gaga, and our very own Michelle Yeoh.
Beyond his artistic achievements, Chandran is a pillar of support for the Malaysian fashion community. He has tirelessly championed the talents of emerging designers, providing them with mentorship and opportunities to showcase their work.
2. Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor
We might know him as the first Malaysian astronaut, but did you know that Sheikh Muszaphar is also the proud father of seven children?
The orthopaedic surgeon has become a role model for parents by sharing useful and practical parenting tips on social media. He has also published a book called “My Way of Parenting”.
His commitment and active participation in bringing up his children dispel preconceived notions that women are solely responsible for providing for the family.
From telling your kids you love them, to nurturing them with words of encouragement and imparting knowledge from a young age, the former spaceman has become a treasure trove of advice that demonstrates how men are very much involved in the parenting process, too.
3. Khairul Amin Kamarulzaman
Khairul Amin Kamarulzaman is among the most successful Malaysian content creators around. Hailing from Kota Bharu, Kelantan, Khairul’s Sambal Nyet Berapi, a ready-to-eat chilli paste, took online commerce by storm when it was launched in 2021.
His is a story of perseverence: Khairul’s first attempt at selling sambal, called Sambal King, failed, but he did not throw in the towel.
And now, from just 200 bottles per day, production has mushroomed to 5,000 bottles, raking in millions of ringgit in sales!
Apart from his chilli-tastic success, Khairul took home the Creator of the Year prize at the 2023 TikTok Awards Malaysia, making this oil and gas engineer an inspiration to aspiring entrepreneurs and creative professionals in the country.
4. Samuel Isaiah
Samuel Isaiah is a Malaysian educator, social activist, and speaker who has touched the lives of countless individuals by his determination to empower the Orang Asli community through education.
He started his teaching career in 2012 at an Orang Asli school in Muadzam Shah, Pahang. Upon realising the understaffed and underfunded state of schools in rural areas, Isaiah took it upon himself to develop innovative teaching methods tailored to the needs of his students.
His dedication extends beyond the classroom, as he actively engages with the Orang Asli community and advocates for their rights.
In 2020, Isaiah was named a top 10 finalist for the Global Teacher Prize and, in 2022, was the Merdeka Award’s first Anugerah Harapan Merdeka recipient.
Having co-founded Edufication, a platform designed by teachers for teachers to promote critical educational discourse, he is also the programme director at Pemimpin Global School Leaders.
5. Nigel Ng
Nigel Ng, aka Uncle Roger, needs little introduction. With his signature “haiyaaa”, orange polo tee, and exaggerated and hilarious commentary on online cooking videos, the former data analyst is a well-known standup comedian and internet celebrity.
Not one to shy away from his Malaysian heritage, Ng has proudly embraced culture in his comedy and serves as an inspiration to aspiring comedians and individuals from diverse backgrounds.
His journey to success exemplifies the importance of self-belief, drive, and the courage to embrace one’s unique voice, while demonstrating that laughter can transcend borders and bring people together.