28/03/2026

SATURDAY | MAR 28, 2026

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From disability to mastery

ALOR SETAR: Born with a handicap, Mohd Rahmat Abd Somat never allowed his condition to define his future – instead, he built a life powered by determination and skill. The 37-year-old mechanic from Kampung Tanjung Musang, Langgar, chose early on not to rely on sympathy, but to focus on building his abilities to earn a living and support his family. That determination led Mohd Rahmat to open his own motorcycle workshop in 2008, using savings from his school days, with support from his family and the Social Welfare Department. He started small, purchasing used machines and equipment from factories at lower prices. At his home based workshop, Mohd Rahmat o Mechanic defies odds, proves precision and perseverance go hand in hand His employees must also undergo about three months of training on proper cleaning techniques and be supervised by senior staff before being allowed to handle the process independently, as cleaning methods differ for each type of shoe. Touching on the challenges of operating the service, the holder of a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Greenwich, United Kingdom, said one of the difficulties he faced was sourcing suitable cleaning materials, as the shoe laundry business is still relatively new in the country. “I had no reference to guide me, including what type of soap is suitable for cleaning shoes. Most people use household laundry detergent, but

that method can damage shoe materials. “So we developed a special biodegradable soap that is safer for shoes and does not harm the environment,” he said, adding that the washing and drying processes also use commercial machines imported from China. With two branches in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah and Kuala Lumpur, Louis plans to expand his business to Shah Alam, Selangor and Tawau, Sabah, this June, as well as to Cyberjaya next year. “I also hope to commercialise the special soap we developed and produce our own washing and drying machines to reduce dependence on imported machines in the future.” – Bernama Universiti Teknologi Mara, Mohd Rahmat now takes pride in supporting his family independently. Now father to a baby girl, he believes life is about continuous effort and having faith in one’s own abilities. His mother, Sofiah Mohamad, 71, said she is proud of Mohd Rahmat, who is her youngest of five children. She described him as resilient and determined – a son who never allowed his limitations to define his future. skilfully installs components and tightens screws using his own techniques and specialised tools, proving that precision is not limited by physical ability, Bernama reported. While he handles most repairs himself, he only turns to his brother for more complex tasks. Today, Mohd Rahmat’s services are sought after by motorcyclists from across the country, drawn by the quality of his work and his reputation for precision. “I work carefully – even with my handicap, I can still do the job. Customers come because they trust my work, not out of sympathy.” A diploma graduate from

Mohd Rahmat skilfully installs components and tightens screws with specialised tools at his home-based workshop despite his disability. – BERNAMA P I C

Shoe laundry fast fix for filthy footwear KUALA LUMPUR: Working in the construction sector requires Sean Hayden to wear appropriate footwear for safety, but the muddy and waterlogged conditions at project sites, especially during the rainy season, cause his shoes to get dirty quickly and make them difficult to maintain. “Usually if I wash them at home, I have to wait one or two days for them to dry. But here, they can get it done in just two to three hours. The shoes also become very clean, like new,” he said, adding that he used to simply buy a new pair after using a pair for about a year. “When travelling frequently, I realised there was a need for a fast and practical shoe cleaning service, especially for people who are active or constantly on the move. bringing several pairs of shoes often posed a challenge.

“As a shoe enthusiast, I understand the dilemma of owners who value their collections but do not have the knowledge or time to clean them properly,” he said when met at his shop here recently. Louis said every pair of shoes sent to his premises is first inspected and cleaned using a special soap in accordance with standard operating procedures (SOP) based on the type of material, to ensure the quality of the shoes is preserved.

Operated by Alastair Louis, 35, under the brand X’press Shoe Laundry for nearly two years, the Sabah-born entrepreneur said the business idea came from his own experience of having difficulty carrying multiple pairs of shoes while working out of town. His job as a professional in the oil and gas sector requires the father of two to always appear neat and well groomed, but the limitation of

Although he had tried several times to wash them at home, the drying process, which takes more than a day, made it difficult for the 29 year-old contractor to reuse them promptly. However, the problem he frequently faced found a solution when he tried a shoe laundry service that offers washing and drying within less than a day.