2 days ago
More than just luck: Meet the Malaysian who's been winning contests for 21 years
WE have all tried our luck at some point, a lucky draw, a radio contest, maybe even a social media giveaway, but let's be honest, most of us do not expect lightning to strike more than once.
For one Malaysian man, however, luck is not just a passing moment, it's practically a way of life.
Meet 39-year-old Faiz Aizuddin Azami, a man who has defied the odds and turned what began as simple curiosity into a full-blown lifestyle. Over the past 21 years, he has won more than 5,000 prizes, with a total value reaching into the millions of ringgit.
What sounds like a dream to most is Faiz's everyday reality. From gadgets to holidays, cars to cash, he's taken home prizes so valuable that their combined worth could buy several low-cost homes. It may sound unbelievable, almost like a fantasy, but for Faiz, this is very much real life.
'I've been actively entering contests since 2004 right after SPM. My first big win was through a slogan-based SMS contest with DiGi, where I won 10 months' worth of salary, approximately RM48,000.
'That was a huge amount for a student like me at the time, and it truly changed the way I looked at contests. Since then, I've entered thousands and won over 5,000 prizes,' he said when contacted by Sinar Daily recently. Faiz with his little family. - Credit photo: Instagram @faizaizuddin
A former teacher and father of three, he eventually left his job in the public sector due to the frequent travel required to claim holiday prizes abroad.
He now focuses full-time on educational motivation work and contesting, aiming to win at least 1,000 prizes a year, with a targeted value of RM100,000 annually. What started as a lucky break has become a rewarding lifestyle.
Massive prize haul
Among Faiz's most jaw-dropping wins was a luxury VIP holiday for ten people to four major theme parks in Los Angeles, complete with over RM100,000 in spending money.
'The most expensive prize I ever won was a two-week VIP trip for 10 people to four theme parks in California back in 2008. It came with cash too, the total value was around RM180,000.
'If I added up everything I've won since 2004, I reckon I could have bought a few low-cost houses by now,' he said.
He shared that he took the holiday with his own group of friends, everything fully paid for. More recently, Faiz also won a brand-new Toyota Vios worth around RM91,000. But that's only scratching the surface.
Over the years, Faiz has enjoyed all-expenses-paid holidays to the United Kingdom, Türkiye, France, Japan, Korea, and other international destinations, turning once-in-a-lifetime trips into something almost routine.
In addition to luxury travel, Faiz has taken home RM24,000 in cash and an astonishing number of physical prizes, including ten 55-inch TVs, twenty refrigerators, and thirty washing machines. He has also won hundreds of home appliances, fom the latest smartphones and tablets to kitchen gadgets and electronics.
One especially memorable win was a home renovation package worth over RM10,000. On the automotive front, Faiz has won eight motorcycles and two cars: a Proton X50 and a Mini Cooper.
'I once won a Mini Cooper worth RM235,000, but I shared that prize with six other friends. So, my share wasn't huge, but it's still a sweet memory,' he added.
Many of these wins came from collaborations with fellow contest enthusiasts, showing not just his luck but also his skill in navigating the competition world. These prizes have brought him not only material rewards but unforgettable life experiences.
Thanks to his contesting journey, Faiz has met global celebrities and sports icons, including Neymar, Jennifer Lopez, Kelly Clarkson, and Justin Bieber, moments that added extra sparkle to his winning story.
Faiz also shared that sometimes the prizes he won weren't things he actually needed, or he already owned similar items. Instead of letting them gather dust, he chose to sell them and use the money for more important things, like covering expenses, supporting his family, or buils up his savings.
'It's practical, and it also helps to fund new contest entries,' he added. Faiz has taken home RM24,000 in cash and an astonishing number of physical prizes, including ten 55-inch TVs, twenty refrigerators, and thirty washing machines. - Credit photo: Instagram @faizaizuddin
Tips to avoid contest scams
When it comes to avoiding scams, Faiz describes himself as both brave and smart.
He shared that he never joins a contest without first checking who the organiser is. If it's a well-known and trusted brand like Nestlé, P&G, or major banks, he feels more confident entering.
'But if a contest comes from a suspicious page, or asks for too much personal information like your full ID number or bank account details right away, I just skip it. That's a big red flag.
'Also, if they pressure you to DM quickly or click on strange links, I avoid it,' he said.
If an agency is managing the contest, he will check their track record first. He also watches how influencers run their contests, if the announcements are vague or winners are never revealed, he becomes suspicious.
He admitted that he has been promised prizes he never received before.
When asked if he has ever been scammed, Faiz said no, but his mother was tricked early on. She fell for a fake contest claiming she'd won a big prize, a car, but had to pay a 'processing fee.'
She paid around RM5,000 but ended up receiving just cheap mattresses and goods, after which the organisers disappeared without a trace.
'Since then, I've been much more careful and learned from that experience so I don't get scammed again,' he said.
Tips for smart competing
Faiz shared that he usually enters contests on his own, though he sometimes involves family members to boost his chances.
Most of the competitions he joins are free, but some do require purchases, such as buying items from the supermarket and then submitting a receipt or slogan. He stressed that to win, participants need to understand the rules and develop their own strategies.
For example, contests that reward the highest spenders with big prizes like cars require significant investment, while others are more about luck, with some first-time participants winning grand prizes unexpectedly.
'First, always read the terms and conditions carefully. A lot of people just submit without really understanding the rules.
'Next, for slogan-based contests, be original and emotional. Judges tend to favour lines that touch the heart or bring a smile. If creativity is needed, use wordplay, rhyme, or unexpected twists to stand out.
'And lastly, consistency. If you only join one contest, it's hard to win. But if you enter ten, your chances increase significantly,' he said.
Faiz admitted that he hasn't always been lucky. He once spent tens of thousands on a contest and walked away with nothing. There were even times he won but never received the prize.
Still, he has learned how to improve his odds and maintain consistency over time.
For beginners, he suggested starting with simple contests like those that only require a comment and share, then gradually trying slogan or creative-based ones.
He also reminded people to always read the terms, keep proof of entry, and most importantly, enjoy the process.
According to him, this is a marathon, not a sprint, the prizes are just a bonus.
Marathon, not a sprint
Success doesn't come overnight or by chance; it is a process that demands effort, patience, and wisdom.
For those interested in joining contests, it's important to approach it thoughtfully and strategically. As Faiz wisely puts it, this is a marathon, not a sprint, so take your time, be persistent, and play smart.
Keep learning, stay consistent, and most importantly, enjoy the journey. With the right mindset and determination, you too can turn your luck into lasting success.
