Latest news with #Saila
Daily Express
7 days ago
- General
- Daily Express
Hafizahanani bags overall title
Published on: Wednesday, June 04, 2025 Published on: Wed, Jun 04, 2025 By: GL Oh Text Size: All the regatta winners with guests and officials after the closing ceremony. Kota Kinabalu: Nur Hafizahanani Zailan from Sabah Sailing Association (Saila) clinched the overall title in the marathon race at the 37th Harvest Festival and Sabah Fest Open Day Regatta 2025 organised by Kinabalu Yacht Club (KYC) in Tanjung Aru on Sunday. Two of her teammates also made it to the podium with second place going to Mohammad Syahieradham Raiman and Muhammad Aiman Aqeel Mohd Firdaus in third. Nur Hafizahanani and Aiman were also the top two finishers in the ILCA 6 marathon category and in third place was Zeti Irdina Zainal. The ILCA 7 marathon title went to Adam Carraz and in second place was Qasya Chairullah with Cody Long Tse Nan in third. In the ILCA 4 class, Muhammad Aiman Aqeel was the winner ahead of Kim Titus Soong Rong Khoong and Nur Syameera Sofea Azaman. The 470 class marathon title was won by Melissa Audrey Yong and her crew Syazwi Thaqif Shahirul followed by Muhammad Afiq Irsyad Adam/Melvin Sikayun and Kelly Yin Attilio/Attilio Cecchini, while the top two places in the 420 class went to Bibi Qeesha Mohd Faizal/Natasha Wong and Danyal Marczqui Rahmat Haron/Muhammad Iftittah Andi Mallabbang. In the optimist marathon race, Nur Farisya Syafiah Rodie won the overall title followed by Macy Mosom Sikayun and Izz Qasrina Chairullah, while the optimist novice overall top three places went to Malique Anaqi Mohd Norhaifiy, Nur Ezzati Alysha Abdul Karim and Yap Jia Ying. In the series races, Melissa Audrey Yong and Syazwi Thaqif won the 470 class title ahead of Muhammad Afiq Irsyad Adam/Melvin Sikayun and Kelly Yin/ Attilio Cecchini. Bibi Qeesha Mohd Faizal/Natasha Wong and Danyal Marczqui Rahmat Haron/Muhammad Iftittah Andi Mallabbang were the only top two finishers in the 420 class. The ICLA 7 winner was Adam Carraz and in second place was Qasya Chairullah with Cody Long Tse Nan in third. Nur Hafizahanani, Aiman Aqeel and Zeti Irdina Zainal were the top three winners in the ILCA 6 class and in the ILCA 4 class, Muhammad Aiman Aqeel finished ahead of Kim Titus Soong Rong Khoong and Nur Syameera Sofea Azaman, while the top two winners in the windsurfing class were Lucqmann Racheed Haron and Zeid Ashraf Zainal. The other winners in their respective categories were Abidin Aliakbar, Guido Weisenreiter, Sandeep Singh Gill (windsurf closed men overall); Tan Shir Ping @ Gabi and Amabel Seow Min Hui (windsurf closed women overall); Macy Mosom Sikayun, Nur Farisya Syafiah Rodie, Izz Qaireen Chairullah (optimist series race overall); Malique Anaqi Mohd Norhaifiy, Nur Fahriyah Syafiah Rodie, Nur Nazihah Amyra Jaikol (optimist series race novice overall); Amabel Seow Min Hui, Tan Shir Ping @ Gabi (stand up paddle - sup long distance race women); Lisa Poronting, Amabel Seow Min Hui, Tan Shir Ping @ Gabi (sup technical race - women); Muhd Aswad, Jason James, Deston Lim (sup technical race -men); Tan Shir Ping @ Gabi , Amabel Seow Min Hui (windsurf closed women); Nur Farisya Syafiah Rodie, Natalie Wong Qiao En (optimist division A); Macy Mosom Sikayun, Izz Qaireen Chairullah, Suraya Fatin Najwa Raslan (optimist division B); Ahmad Wafiy Azzam Mohd Resal, Izz Qasrina Chairullah, Ezra Layth Badri (optimist division C). A total of 85 sailors took part in the annual event and the closing ceremony was officiated by Tanjung Aru community development leader Mohd Reduan Aklee. Also present was KYC commodore Albert Shim with his officials and other invited guests. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Borneo Post
23-05-2025
- Business
- Borneo Post
Shell LiveWire champions Sabahan entrepreneur's sustainability journey
Saila (front centre) with her team and community. KOTA KINABALU (May 23): In a world grappling with mounting environmental challenges, certain individuals rise to transform problems into purpose. One such visionary is Saila Saidie, founder of LJD Corporation, a social enterprise based in Sabah that's redefining waste management through community empowerment. LJD Corporation is an accredited social enterprise that turns plastic waste into meaningful, handmade products. It runs a mini recycling and upcycling centre in Kampung Kepayan Baru, equipped with machines like a plastic shredder, sheet press, and injection machine with a mould. 'We work closely with informal waste collectors, particularly those at the Kayu Madang landfill, many of whom reside in Kampung Lapasan, just 15-minute drive from our centre,' Saila said in an interview. 'We also collaborate with communities from Kampung Keliangau, Kampung Tenggiling, Kampung Sinulimbai, Kampung Lobou, Kampung Bukit Permai, and Kampung Rakyat Baru — all nearby.' LJD Corporation buys plastic waste from these communities and trains villagers like women and youth to turn it into ethnic-inspired accessories and eco-products like keychains, coasters, and earrings. 'A big part of our work is built on a circular model,' Saila explained. 'For example, women entrepreneurs donate leftover plastic straps from their woven handbag activities, which we repurpose into new items, ensuring nothing goes to waste. 'Some of our best product designs come from close collaboration with lecturers from the Academy of Arts & Creative Technology, Universiti Malaysia Sabah. 'We're especially grateful to Dr Lilian Lee, Dr Victor B Pangayan, and other dedicated lecturers who have continuously supported our innovation journey.' Saila said her designs, which reflect Sabah's culture and resilience, have reached international markets such as Singapore, Brunei, New Zealand, and the Netherlands. LJD Corporation has also become a learning site for visitors, including students from MSU College and various other institutions. Saila Saidie Humble beginnings Born and raised in Kota Kinabalu with deep roots in the highland town of Tambunan, Saila's upbringing instilled in her values of compassion and resilience. Whilst holding a Degree in Sports Science, her professional life led her to nearly a decade in journalism, allowing her to observe the intricate relationship between business, environment, and societal challenges. This first-hand exposure ignited a desire to shift from reporting on problems to actively crafting solutions. Today, as a wife and mother, her work is further fueled by the desire to create a cleaner, more just world for her daughter and future generations. 'Though I earned a degree in Sports Science from UiTM Shah Alam, my path led me to journalism, where I spent nearly a decade covering business and environmental issues,' she detailed. 'That chapter of my life gave me a deep understanding of the challenges we face as a society, especially when it comes to waste and inequality. Over time, I felt a growing urge to move from documenting problems to becoming part of the solution. 'While working as a journalist, I often wrote about the climate crisis. But one day in 2019, while driving past the water villages in Sembulan, I saw hundreds of moulded plastic bottles floating under the houses. 'It hit me hard — the system is broken, and not enough is being done to fix it. That was my wake-up call. 'Later that year, I met Viviantie Sarjuni, who is now the CEO of Sabah Creative Economy and Innovation Centre (SCENIC), and she introduced me to the concept of social enterprises. 'Back then, it was still a foreign idea to many people in Sabah, but to me, it felt like a calling. I wanted to build a business that created jobs and tackled plastic pollution at the same time.' Saila during her win as one of the Sabah state winners for Shell LiveWire Malaysia 2022. Shell LiveWire catalyst Saila's journey took a significant turn in 2022 when she discovered the Shell LiveWire Sabah programme through Facebook. Recognising the programme's alignment with LJD's mission, she promptly applied and was selected as one of the top five winners in Sabah for 2022. 'The mentorship was life changing. The team at Shell believed in me even when I was still figuring things out,' Saila recalled. 'They taught me how to frame LJD not just as a business, but as a powerful solution for plastic waste and poverty in Sabah. 'Something the CEO Satu Creative, which the implementing partner for Shell LiveWire Malaysia, Ahmad Azuar Zainuddin, said still sticks with me: 'Your network is your worth.' Since then, I've made a conscious effort to attend networking events and connect with people who inspire change.' A truly memorable moment from the programme involved the RM10,000 grant, which enabled LJD to purchase its first small sheet press machine. This singular investment allowed the company to expand its workforce to 30 artisans, many of whom were students from ASTIF at UMS, facilitating the launch of their first product line. The surreal moment of seeing their products, made from landfill plastic, showcased in Amsterdam after SCENIC purchased them in bulk, solidified their growing impact. Shell LiveWire's impact extended beyond funding, providing LJD with essential structure and equipping Saila with the mindset of a founder, enabling her to think about scaling, pitching, and measuring impact. This propelled the company from operating a single small machine to managing a comprehensive mini recycling centre, reinforcing Saila's conviction that 'business can be a force for good.' LJD Corporation sells its products directly to over 8,000 followers on TikTok. Growth and evolution since 2022 Since 2022, LJD Corporation has experienced significant growth in both its impact and visibility. Its social media presence has surged, with over 8,000 followers on TikTok, where they now sell products directly. A crucial memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed with Universiti Malaysia Sabah empowers villagers in Kampung Kepayan Baru and surrounding areas through skills training and income generation. Partnerships have also expanded to include institutions like UiTM Sabah and MSU College. Workshops have emerged as a significant income stream, with collaborations forged with government agencies to deliver recycling and upcycling sessions across Sabah. 'One of our proudest achievements with ASTIF UMS was winning a Gold Medal at INNOZILLA 2024, an innovation exhibition and competition organised by Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM),' Saila enthused. This prestigious event brought together participants, experts, industry leaders, and changemakers working towards the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). 'The recognition reaffirmed that our grassroots work can contribute to global impact.' Saila with her products. Towards a cleaner future Currently, Saila observes a noticeable evolution in Sabah's sustainability landscape since 2022. 'More people are aware of sustainability and are actively looking to reduce plastic waste,' she noted. 'More people are aware of sustainability and are actively looking to reduce plastic waste. 'Social entrepreneurship is no longer a strange term, and more young people are coming forward with sustainable ideas. Educational institutions and government agencies are also more open to collaboration than before.' Nevertheless, challenges remain in the form of funding, which Saila says has always been the biggest hurdle for any business. 'Machines, training, and infrastructure don't come cheap. We've had to be creative and lean, selling consistently, reinvesting profits, and staying grounded in our mission. 'We've received support from organisations like SCENIC, DIDR, APPGM-SDG, UMS, MEDC and many more. I'm especially thankful to Datuk Ewon Benedick, he once bought out all our stock to support women at the Tekun event and has been an ongoing supporter of our work.' LJD is currently constructing a larger 1,250 sq ft Community Recycling and Learning Centre, envisioned as a hub for youth training, corporate workshops, and co-working space for local crafters. 'Right now, one of our biggest challenges is the need to build a larger centre. Our current space is no longer enough to meet the growing demand for training, production, and community engagement,' she highlighted. For aspiring young entrepreneurs, Saila offers concise yet powerful advice: 'Start with a purpose. If you're solving a real problem, you're already halfway there. 'Don't wait for things to be perfect; just start. Build your network, ask for help, and don't be afraid to fail.' She emphasizes that LJD began without a blueprint, propelled by 'heart and hustle.' The products made from landfill plastic have been showcased in Amsterdam. In her final message, Saila advocates for kindness—to the environment, to others, and to yourself. She firmly believes in Sabah's untapped potential: 'If we work together across backgrounds and communities, we can turn waste into opportunity and give dignity back to those who've been overlooked.' Saila's journey exemplifies how a former journalist, driven by purpose and community spirit, can build a thriving enterprise that not only addresses environmental issues but also uplifts and empowers those at the grassroots. Shell LiveWire Malaysia is back again this year and calls out all entrepreneurs from Sabah to be a part of this exciting initiative that can be a game-changer for budding entrepreneurs. Register today at and live your dream! lead Shell LiveWire Malaysia
