M’sian man, 40, ex-CEO of food delivery company that collapsed, now works as food delivery rider

A 40-year-old Malaysian man, who used to be the chief executive officer (CEO) of a food delivery platform company, is now working as a food delivery rider.

Indera Aria Wee Jeeny, who had a company that began operations in 2019, recorded profits of up to RM6 million (S$1,88 million) and had 3,000 active food riders across Kelantan, Terengganu and Kedah, Malaysia, New Straits Times reported.

Aria apparently did not come from a well-off family.

Downfall

According to Aria, his company was a strategic partner under the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation.

The company suffered losses when an individual allegedly sold an Internet Protocol (IP) address to a competitor for personal gain.

The situation worsened from January 2021 onwards.

Profits reportedly fell between RM40,000 (S$12,551) and RM80,000 (S$25,102) before the business was on the verge of collapsing.

Aria apparently sold assets to pay his employees.

Coins

Aria, who is a father of two, said his life changed completely when the company collapsed.

He apparently could not afford to eat and “even had to dig for coins to buy food”.

“I also had to walk long distances because I had no transport,” he said.

Aria also mentioned that he “began to notice changes in people” around him,

He theorised that they feared he “would ask to borrow money”.

"It was painful because when I was doing well, I had helped them," he told Harian Metro.

Motivation

Aria reportedly regained motivation after recalling the words of a former employee, who was a food rider who remained grateful.

The former employee apparently earned about RM20 (S$6.27) but "was very happy because he could buy food for his child.”

This made Aria motivated and made him “hope to rise again”.

Food rider

Aria currently works as a food rider and takes up jobs purchasing items for a fee of between RM5 (S$1.57) and RM10 (S$3.14).

He also helps people, especially those requiring assistance with vehicle batteries and tyres, whom he meets along the roadside.

“I meet people in need almost every night, and once came across a family who had not eaten for two weeks. I am not well off either, but I try to help as much as I can,” he recalled.

Aria apparently considers what happened in his life a test and a learning experience.

"I am also determined to rise again as a successful entrepreneur and create job opportunities, so I can help more people out there," he said.