Exclusive Story by WeirdKaya - Proper accreditation to WeirdKaya and consent from the interviewee are required.
When Muhammad Iman Norhizam stood in front of cameras at a local talent audition in 2021 and said he wanted to “change the world,” he didn’t expect that single sentence to go viral… for all the wrong reasons.
People didn’t just laugh. They questioned his intentions and mocked his dream, saying he was just “trying to be famous.” But for Iman, now a lawyer, that moment marked the beginning of a very different journey.
The viral moment that nearly crushed him
Iman told WeirdKaya that he only found out about his audition clip going viral after friends started tagging him and asking if it was really him in the video.
While some were supportive, others accused him of being delusional for wanting to change the world through a youth TV program.
“I wasn’t sad. I was disappointed because the message I wanted to send was misunderstood. Still, I stood by my belief even though it triggered massive backlash,” he said.
Aside from the widespread mocking, Iman also didn’t make it past the audition. While many would see it as an extremely painful situation, he saw it as a blessing.
“If I had made it through, I might not have completed my studies or become a lawyer.
“I didn’t know it at the time, but that failed audition would lead me to a clearer path—one where I could pursue real change through the legal system.”
Engineering roots with a lawyer’s heart
Born into a family of engineers, Iman thought he’d end up in the same field. But it wasn’t until his schooling days when he began speaking at events and taking on leadership roles, where he realised his passion was for people, persuasion, and purpose.
After a short flirtation with the idea of opening a business, he took a personality test and it pointed him towards one direction: a lawyer.
“I then spent a few days shadowing my uncle, who’s practicing lawyer, to understand what the job truly entailed. That hands-on exposure eventually confirmed that it was the path for me to take,” he shared.
Using law to educate, not just litigate
In early 2023, Iman graduated from UiTM and completed his chambering. A few months later, he became a partner at a legal firm—an impressive feat for someone his age.
Under the guidance of seasoned lawyer Datuk Adnan Seman, Iman now handles criminal defense, civil litigation, and corporate advisory.
“It’s not easy being young in this field. But I learned early on that how you carry yourself matters more than your age.
While clients may not always take young lawyers seriously, I always make sure to win them over with results and clear, confident communication,” he said.
Outside the courtroom, Iman offers free legal clinics and utilises TikTok to share legal advice with the public as a way of helping those who can’t afford legal services.
“Lawyers in Malaysia can’t advertise, so I create educational content instead. And surprisingly, a lot of clients have come through TikTok,” he shared.
Iman also believes that the law only works when people understand and respect it. That’s why his mission isn’t just to win cases—it’s to make legal services more accessible to everyday people.
Iman added that his father left a lasting impression on him with his sheer grit and resilience by providing for the family even while struggling financially.
“When I was a child, I once asked my dad who his best friend was, and he answered, ‘You are.’ My dad also always said, ‘I don’t want you to be like me. I want you to be better than me.’
“That moment shaped how I approach fatherhood today. Though my son is still an infant, I aspire to be as present for him as my father was for me. That’s what I’m working towards,” he said.
‘Change yourself first’
When asked what advice he’d give to young people hoping to make a difference, Iman kept it simple.
“Before you change the world, change yourself. Don’t just seek success for yourself, but seek it out for others too.”
Despite all he has achieved, Iman insists he’s just getting started. And for someone once mocked for dreaming big, he’s now living proof that one misunderstood message can still lead to meaningful impact—just through a different platform.
Exclusive Story by WeirdKaya – If you wish to reproduce this story, please ensure that you obtain consent from the interviewee to maintain factual accuracy and avoid the potential spread of misleading information.
If referencing or using any information from our story, we kindly ask that proper credit is given, along with a backlink to WeirdKaya, as acknowledgment of the efforts made by our editors in sourcing and conducting interviews.
READ ALSO:
