KOTA KINABALU: After spending two decades working as an IT technician in Singapore, 40-year-old Jimmy Wong returned to Malaysia three months ago with a new priority: to be closer to his mother while finding a sustainable source of income.
Returning home also meant rethinking his career and financial plans. Having previously earned an average of SGD4,000 to SGD5,000 a month in Singapore, he found that salaries for IT-related roles in Kota Kinabalu would be difficult to reconcile with his existing financial commitments.
“I tried looking for IT-related jobs when I came back, but after doing some research, I realised the salaries would be much lower, making it difficult to meet my financial commitments,” said Jimmy.
His financial difficulties began during the COVID-19 pandemic, when he struggled to keep up with his housing loan and credit card payments. The situation eventually affected his banking facilities. He is now working through the appropriate channels to restore his financial arrangements.
Rather than allowing these challenges to hold him back, Jimmy looked for an alternative source of income that would offer greater flexibility. Having previously driven for an e-hailing platform in Singapore, he was familiar with the work and decided to explore e-hailing again after returning to Malaysia.
“I knew how the e-hailing system worked because I had driven in Singapore before. When I first arrived at Kota Kinabalu airport, I discovered Maxim and started doing my own research. I saw that Maxim offered competitive fares, and thought this could help attract more passengers and, in turn, create more business,” he said.
Driving with Maxim is now Jimmy’s first job since returning to Malaysia. He currently earns approximately RM6,000 to RM7,000 a month through the platform, an income he says has given him greater confidence as he works to improve his financial situation.
“Maxim has helped me with my finances. Through the programmes offered by Maxim, I have opportunities to earn more and gradually plan how to resolve my financial issues,” said Jimmy.
For Jimmy, however, earning an income is not the only benefit of being an e-hailing partner. The flexibility allows him to organise his own schedule and maintain a healthier work-life balance.
“I feel free as a Maxim driver because I can have a good work-life balance. I’m not just driving; I also meet people from many different backgrounds. I can plan my own schedule and still make time for sport, because staying healthy is important to me. Big earnings mean nothing if you’re not in good health. When we’re healthy, we can keep working and earning,” he added.
Jimmy’s experience reflects how e-hailing can offer an accessible and flexible source of income to people from a range of professional backgrounds—whether they are seeking a full-time livelihood, additional earnings or greater control over their working hours. He believes the opportunity is particularly relevant to those willing to take the initiative and make use of the platform.
“I would recommend becoming a Maxim partner, whether part-time or full-time. Maxim is a big market, and there are opportunities to earn an income. The opportunity is there, but it depends on how you seize it and make use of it. Money will only come when you go out and look for it; it won’t come into your wallet if you simply sit and wait,” Jimmy concluded.
Through its e-hailing platform, Maxim connects partners with passengers seeking transport, giving drivers the opportunity to earn an income. Partners can manage their schedules according to their availability, offering flexibility to those balancing work with family responsibilities, personal commitments or other sources of income.
For Jimmy, returning home was not simply about leaving his previous career behind. It was about finding a new way forward—one that allows him to care for his family, take control of his time and work towards rebuilding his financial stability.-pr/BNN
