If you have ever driven on the road or live near a highway, you probably would have crossed paths with or had to put up with illegal racers, also known as mat rempits, who often annoy and endanger others with their dangerous antics.
After multiple high-adrenaline races and witnessing lives being lost, a man decided to turn away from the mat rempit lifestyle and run his own business, which has raked in a handsome income for him.
Became a mat rempit in his youth
Speaking to Harian Metro about this significant turnaround in his life, 27-year-old Muhammad Arif Zainon Rashid said the only educational certificate he has is SPM and was once expelled from school due to disciplinary problems.
After dropping out of school, I applied for various jobs but was unsuccessful until I had to become a dropship agent selling aphrodisiacs, which was widely criticised at the time.
“At the same time, I spent a lot of time riding motorcycles and was involved in mat rempit activities,” he said.
Ex-mat rempit runs clothing store
However, Muhammad Arif finally had a moment of epiphany after he saw several friends from the mat rempit circle losing their lives to road accidents, leading to abandon the lifestyle.
I also thought of my family which was struggling to get by with my father’s RM600 salary of being a security guard, as well as my siblings who were still young. That was when I was determined to operate a halal (legitimate) business.
“From there, I began to save money and began opening clothing branches when I had the financial means to do so,” he said.
Muhammad Arif added that he chose the clothing business as he noticed most of his friends in the motorcycle community liked clothes, whether it be for convoying or styling.
Earns 6-figure income
Today, the former mat rempit has two clothing branches, one at Platinum Walk in KL and another at Bandar Dato’ Onn, Johor Bahru.
Unlike most entrepreneurs, Muhammad Arif had no prior knowledge of the clothing business and learnt everything from YouTube.
“I only aimed for a salaried job but Alhamdulillah, the business has reached the level it is at today.
“My hard work has paid off now that I can earn a six-figure income monthly, enabling me to support my family,” he said.
He also added that hopes to open at least one branch in every state and expand his clothing brand internationally.
What an incredible story of how an ex-mat rempit turned his life around for the better! We wish Muhammad Arif nothing but the best in his future endeavours.
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