KLANG, Sept 12 — Losing his livelihood after 25 years in the oil and gas sector has not dampened Ahmad Anda’ Ismail’s determination to rebuild his life through entrepreneurship.
The physically disabled entrepreneur also underwent psychiatric treatment following stress after losing his job in 2019. However, the experience did not stop him from becoming self-reliant and building his own source of income.
“For me, OKU means ‘Orang Kuat Usaha’ (a determined person), not Orang Kurang Upaya (person with disabilities).
“I am grateful and greatly appreciate the opportunity provided by GM Klang and the Klang Royal City Council (MBDK) to provide business space at an affordable rate,” he said when met at the OKU Entrepreneur Bazaar held in conjunction with the Terang Kentara programme at GM Klang yesterday.
Ahmad Anda’ said the platform provided by GM Klang in collaboration with the MyOKU Selangor Entrepreneurs Cooperative Berhad (MyOKU) not only provides a space to conduct business, but also connects him with other OKU entrepreneurs.
He said the opportunity has also helped expand his business network and provided entrepreneurs like him with room to grow.
Meanwhile, MyOKU Entrepreneurs Cooperative chairman Muhamad Asyraf Mahat said the cooperative has helped nurture more than 200 OKU entrepreneurs in Selangor in efforts to increase the community’s income.
He said the conducive facilities at GM Klang also helped OKU entrepreneurs engage with the community, build self-confidence and expand their market networks.
“The access to the GM Klang square is very OKU-friendly, especially the parking spaces located close to the business area, which makes it easier for OKU entrepreneurs to load and unload goods.
“Our main mission is to increase the income of the OKU community, from being beneficiaries to becoming contributors, in line with the aspirations of the National Entrepreneurship Policy (DKN) 2030,” he added.
