The World Of Tzu Chi(Vol.128)

2020 • 11 18 eature two years. In 2014, Thiam Wah was even presented with the Outstanding Entrepreneur Award by the Chinese Chamber of Commerce & Industry of Kuala Lumpur and Selangor. “With the fast pace of urban development, many families are dual-income households. 99 Speedmart meets the needs of modern society by providing customers with quick and convenient access to everyday items at a lower price.” Thiam Wah elaborated that, one of his goals was to open a 99 Speedmart in each residential area of Malaysia. As of October 2020, 99 Speedmart has more than 1,500 outlets nationwide, making it the largest mini- market chain operator in the country. Creating barrier-free spaces Thiam Wah faced business competitions from hypermarkets. Whenever a hypermarket opened in an area, the turnover of nearby 99 Speedmart outlets would drop. But after a while, the price advantage and the convenience quickly drew customers back. “When the economy is bad, you need mini-markets more than ever, because people become more budget-conscious and would not spend much on daily necessities,” he uttered. Whether it was a physical obstacle or a business challenge, Thiam Wah was able to stand firm and get through. As one who has been a wheelchair user for many years, Thiam Wah is more empathetic towards the plight of PWDs. When 99 Speedmart’s headquarters opened in Taman Berkeley, Klang in 2015, the building, spanning 12 floors and costing RM15 million, was disabled-friendly with barrier- free designs. Hence, it provides a conducive working environment to employees with physical disabilities. From a family-style grocery store, Thiam Wah expanded his business to its current scale with more than 10,000 employees. He informed that employees with disabilities are mainly assigned clerical jobs at the headquarters, and account for 2% of the staff. PWDs are given equal job opportunities if there are suitable positions. He said, “I always believed in one thing: Everyone is good at something. When a certain body function fails, there will be another part that will compensate, leading to other achievements.”Although he has mobility difficulties, Thiam Wah does not consider it as a regret or a misfortune. He often cites himself as an example to encourage his employees with disabilities not to set limits for themselves. To Thiam Wah, physical disabilities only brought some inconveniences. His only regret was not receiving higher education in a formal setting. “Although I can now choose to pursue further education, the regret I felt at the earlier stage cannot be remedied,” he said. That is why he always compensates by self-studying and reading to improve and enrich himself. Over the years, 99 Speedmart has spared no effort in giving back to the community. Thiam Wah humbly said, life was not exactly full of colours yet, as he was only focusing solely within his field. For him, the most meaningful thing is giving back to the community. Therefore, every year, the company helps disabled associations of various ethnic groups, as a way to contribute to society. As a successful entrepreneur, performing good deeds seems to have highlighted the spirit and brilliance of a wholesome soul despite physical disabilities.