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For many young adults, getting a first job is a milestone
For 19-year-old Abdullah Razin, it represents something even bigger: independence.
When SAYS met Razin at AEON in 1 Utama, he was already busy on the retail floor. Dressed neatly in his uniform and wearing a smile, he looked right at home.
But getting here wasn't always straightforward
Like many autistic young adults in Malaysia, Razin faced the challenge of finding meaningful employment.
After some time away from the classroom, he decided he was ready to enter the workforce and start building a future for himself.
Today, he's one of five participants selected for 1 Utama's Amaze Work Programme, an initiative designed to help autistic young adults gain real workplace experience through paid job placements.
As we followed Razin around the menswear department, it quickly became clear that he enjoys staying busy and takes genuine pride in his work
Rather than just arranging shelves, he gave us a detailed breakdown of his daily responsibilities.
"I usually tidy up the department. Folding clothes, hanging clothes. After that, there's also ironing, but only occasionally. Sometimes if these trousers fall, I hang them back up," Razin explained.
He even showed us the fitting room process, demonstrating his clear understanding of the workflow.
"Like here in the fitting room, if there are trousers or shirts left here, we have to hang them back up. Put them back in their original place."
During our chat, Razin also revealed a fun, creative side to his personality. When asked about his dreams, he grinned: "My ambition is to become a singer and a YouTuber."
To prove it, he didn't hesitate to give us an impromptu, heartfelt performance right there in the aisles:
"Andai rembulan tidak lagi mampu bercahaya… Dengarkanlah aku… Jiwaku tulus untukmu…"
The Amaze Work Programme was launched by 1 Utama to create more employment opportunities for autistic individuals who are often overlooked despite having the skills and willingness to work
"We are the first to initiate this in a shopping mall here in Malaysia," Jeremy Fong from 1 Utama's PR & Sustainability team shared with SAYS.
"The programme is catered to helping people with autism, especially young adults, to find jobs among our tenants, who we also call as our inclusive retail champions."
Applications opened in October 2025, with candidates going through evaluations, interviews, and job-matching sessions before five participants were selected to begin a paid orientation programme in May this year.
Razin isn't the only participant pursuing career goals through the programme
Nicholas Loh.
Image via 1 Utama (Provided to SAYS)31-year-old Nicholas Loh is currently working as a kitchen assistant at Nando's, where he's building on his previous baking experience and learning how to navigate a fast-paced kitchen environment.
Meanwhile, Thomas Yeoh, 30, is gaining experience as a barista at Starbucks Reserve. Originally from Penang, he says the programme has given him valuable exposure while allowing him to work alongside a supportive team.
23-year-old Alexander Ho, who previously struggled to find employment after completing his studies, is also working at AEON.
Known for being dependable and attentive to instructions, he has embraced the opportunity to gain hands-on work experience.
Thomas Yeoh.
Image via 1 Utama (Provided to SAYS)
Alexander and Razin.
Image via 1 Utama (Provided to SAYS)
Then there's Ahmad Naim, 25, who works in IT support at 1 Utama
Despite having prior experience at multinational companies, he said finding a workplace where he felt understood wasn't always easy.
Through the programme, he hopes to continue building an independent life and career.
Ahmad Naim.
Image via 1 Utama (Provided to SAYS)The programme also involves employers willing to rethink how hiring and workplace support can be approached
AEON, Nando's, and Starbucks were selected as 1 Utama's Inclusive Retail Champions after working closely with the mall to create suitable roles and environments for participants.
Before placements began, managers and teams attended briefing sessions with a certified job coach to better understand how to support autistic employees in the workplace.
"Hiring persons with disabilities is not new to AEON, and it's always meaningful to be part of their journey," AEON recruitment manager Chung Thina Dass shared.
Jeremy emphasised that the goal isn't simply to provide temporary placements.
"It is a three-month programme. If all things go well, there is a possibility of them getting a permanent placement in the workforce itself."
Watch our video with Razin here:
Watching Razin go about his day, it becomes obvious that the biggest barrier isn't capability. It's opportunity.
Many individuals with autism possess valuable skills, dedication, and a strong desire to work. What they often lack is a workplace willing to meet them halfway.
For Razin, the Amaze Work Programme has given him that chance. And as he continues learning new responsibilities at AEON, he's doing what every young person hopes to do when starting their first job: gaining confidence, building experience, and taking steps towards a more independent future.
