A Malaysian man who once led a food delivery platform company as its CEO is now working independently as a food rider after his business collapsed.
40-year-old Indera Aria Wee Jeeny shared that he did not come from a wealthy family, but eventually managed to build a food ordering and delivery platform that began operations in October 2019.
At its peak, the company reportedly recorded profits of up to RM6 million and had around 3,000 active food riders across Kelantan, Terengganu and Kedah.
Business took a bad turn
According to NST, Indera said the company had remained a strategic partner under the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation.
However, things later took a turn after an Internet Protocol address was allegedly sold by an individual to a competitor for personal gain.
According to him, the company’s profits began to drop from January 2021, falling to between RM40,000 and RM80,000.
As the business continued to decline, Indera said he was eventually forced to sell off his assets to pay his employees’ salaries.
Had to dig for coins to buy food
The collapse changed his life completely.
The father of two said there were moments when he could not even afford food, and had to dig for coins just to buy something to eat.
It was not easy to get back up because when I first fell, I even had to dig for coins to buy food. I also had to walk long distances because I had no transport.”
Indera said that during that difficult period, he also began to notice how people around him changed.
Some who were once close to him started distancing themselves, possibly because they were worried he would ask to borrow money.
“It was painful because when I was doing well, I had helped them,” he said.
Still, Indera said he eventually learned to accept what had happened after reflecting on his situation.
A rider’s words gave him hope again
There were also moments when Indera almost gave up on rebuilding his life.
However, he found motivation through the words of a former employee, a food rider who had once told him how grateful he was despite earning only RM20.
At that time, he only earned RM20 but was very happy because he could buy food for his child,” Indera recalled.
He said those words gave him the strength and hope to rise again.
Now works as a food rider
Today, Indera works independently as a food rider andalso takes up jobs helping people buy items for a fee of around RM5 to RM10.
Despite going through hardship himself, Indera said he now tries to help others whenever he can.
While delivering food orders, he keeps an eye out for people who may need assistance, especially those facing problems with car batteries or tyres.
“I have been at the bottom and lost hope, so I do not want others to feel the same.”
Although he admitted that he is not well off himself, Indera said he still tries to help as much as he can.
“This is because I remember the advice to never let a day pass without helping others. It feels fulfilling,” he said.
Hopes to rebuild his life
Looking back, Indera said he now sees everything that happened as a test and a lesson.
I never expected to go through all this, but I will use the experience as a guide for the future.”
He added that he remains determined to become a successful entrepreneur again one day and hopes to create more job opportunities and help even more people along the way.
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