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Here Are All The Malaysians Who Made It To Forbes' First '30 Under 30 Asia' List

They are the present and the future of a rapidly changing Malaysia.

Cover image via Forbes

1. Yunalis Mat Zara'ai (Yuna), 29

An independent Malaysian singer-songwriter, Yuna began writing her own songs when she was 14 years old, and her first performance of her own song was at the age of 19. Now having worked with top producers like Pharell, the chart-topping pop singer, and entrepreneur has now signed with the label Verve Records. She is also the founder of a clothing line, November Culture, and the fashion store IAMJETFUELshop.

2. Zikry Kholil, 29

Image via zikry

A former national Ice Hockey Player and Radio DJ, Zikry co-founded Incitement, an international community to promote volunteerism and positive social impact in 2011 with Dutch national Daniel de Gruijter. It is now spreading positivity globally, with chapters in 41 countries.

3. Johnny Mayo, 29

Image via Johnny Mayo

Mayo led Neuroware to organise the world's first bank-backed blockchain hackathon with DBS in Singapore and also mentored Asia's first bank-sponsored accelerator with CIMB. His firm has also developed new protocols to help organisations store and share data using the blockchain database.

4. Faeez Fadhlillah, 29

Image via Forbes

Fadhlillah and his partner, Juergen Gallistl, who's a few years older, started Tripfez in 2013. It offers Muslim-friendly tour packages and advice about halal food options and whether the Quran is available. Customers are able to compare 650,000 places to stay in 83,000 destinations. It rates services and facilities in how well they cater to Muslims.

5. John-Son Oei, 28

Image via Incitement

John is the Founder and CEO of EPIC Collaborative, (Extraordinary People Impacting Community) is an NGO that creates collaborative platforms for people to bring positive change to underprivileged communities. Its flagship project, EPIC Homes consists of a building system where volunteers can build modular, sustainable homes in three days.

6. Ian Chua, 27

Image via Forbes

Chua Co-founded of Hermo, together with PS Chong, Vice President of Merchandise, in their RM400 (USD95) per month apartment. Today it is Malaysia's leading online retailer and has been profitable for more than a year.

7. Yeoh Choo Kuan, 27

Image via Dasein

Yeoh Choo Kuan is a KL-based contemporary artist who has drawn international attention with his exhibitions in Malaysia and the Philippines as well as an even broader audience at the recent Art Central in Hong Kong, exhibiting under Richard Koh Fine Art.

8. Diani Cheng Ni Lee, 27

Image via Mineseable

Lee is Corporate Group Marketing and Communications Manager at the Malaysian property conglomerate Country Heights Holdings Berhad. Exposed to the high life ever since birth, growing up and being surrounded by all the luxuries in the world, she, however, manages to maintain a grounded and humble view of life.

9. Wee Kiat Teoh, 27

He founded the food outlet franchise myBurgerlab in 2012. The business now has four outlets and 120 employees. If cooking were a science, and there are many who insist it is, then myBurgerlab has found the winning formula by doing what scientists do best: learning, researching, testing, failing, trying again and succeeding.

10. Sylvia Yin, 23

Image via Sylvia Yin

Sylvia Cofounded Shoppr with Kendrick Wong in 2013 by as an online store aggregator app that gives users clothing recommendations. They have won every Hackathon they have attended.

Speaking of young achievers in Malaysia, do take a look at our in-house list of young Malaysians to watch out for in 2016:

Additionally, check out this list of Malaysian female entrepreneurs:

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