A Malaysian man who once served as the chief executive officer of a food delivery platform has revealed that he is now working independently as a food rider following the collapse of his business.
Indera Aria Wee Jeeny, 40, said he did not come from a wealthy background but managed to build a food ordering and delivery platform that began operations in October 2019.
At its peak, the company reportedly generated profits of up to RM6 million and engaged around 3,000 riders across several northern and east coast states, including Kelantan, Terengganu and Kedah.
However, Indera said the business began to deteriorate after an incident involving the alleged sale of an Internet Protocol (IP) address to a competitor, which he claimed contributed to the company’s downfall.
He added that from January 2021 onwards, profits declined sharply to between RM40,000 and RM80,000, forcing him into a difficult financial situation.
As the losses mounted, he said he was eventually forced to liquidate his assets in order to pay employee salaries and sustain operations.
Indera described the collapse as life-changing, revealing that there were times he could not afford proper meals and had to collect spare coins just to buy food.
He also said the situation forced him to walk long distances due to a lack of transportation, marking a drastic shift from his earlier success as a company leader.
During the period of hardship, Indera noted that he also experienced a shift in social relationships, with some individuals distancing themselves as his financial situation worsened.
He said it was particularly painful as many of those people had previously benefited from his assistance during better times.
Despite the setbacks, Indera said he found renewed motivation through the words of a former employee who remained grateful despite earning a modest income as a rider.
He said the experience helped him regain perspective and encouraged him to rebuild his life step by step.
Today, Indera works as a food delivery rider and also takes on small jobs assisting others with errands for a modest fee.
Despite his current circumstances, he said he continues to help others whenever possible, especially those facing roadside vehicle troubles or urgent needs.
Indera said his personal struggles have made him more empathetic, adding that he believes no day should pass without helping someone in need.
Looking ahead, he remains hopeful of rebuilding his entrepreneurial journey and aims to create more job opportunities in the future.
