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I drive Grab to relieve boredom, I have my own job - Ubai
🇲🇾 Malaysia /Culture & Society

I drive Grab to relieve boredom, I have my own job - Ubai

From Utusan Malaysia · () Malay

Translated from Malay, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

Interview Sources not specified Context piece
  • Malaysian influencer and entrepreneur Ubai drives for Grab to alleviate boredom and manage stress, not to maintain an image.
  • He clarifies that he has his own freelance work in the digital content and campaign creation industry.
  • Ubai emphasizes that he is comfortable with any halal work, regardless of his wife's fame as singer Shila Amzah.

Malaysian influencer and entrepreneur Ubai, husband to singer Shila Amzah, drives for ride-sharing service Grab not to uphold an image, but as a way to combat boredom and reduce stress. He views the work as a personal outlet when he has free time, especially since he recently acquired a new motorcycle.

I do Grab when I'm bored. Coincidentally, I've bought a new motorcycle, and I want to ride it aimlessly, which feels unnecessary. So, I asked Shila for permission to do delivery services just for fun.

— UbaiExplaining his reasons for driving for Grab.

"I do Grab when I'm bored. Coincidentally, I've bought a new motorcycle, and I want to ride it aimlessly, which feels unnecessary. So, I asked Shila for permission to do delivery services just for fun," Ubai explained. He added that he often works behind the scenes as a freelancer, creating storylines for digital content. Taking breaks to drive for Grab helps him de-stress and reconnect with people before returning to his work.

I often work behind the scenes as a freelancer. There are times when I need to create storylines. When I'm bored, I'll take a break or rest and then go do Grab.

— UbaiDescribing his freelance work and how Grab fits into his routine.

Addressing perceptions that he might be riding on his wife's fame, Ubai stated that many people are unaware of his professional background. He has his own career in the digital space, starting on TikTok and later working at Astro before establishing his own production company. His team specializes in digital content creation and campaigns for various brands, positioning him as a freelancer.

I have my own job. I started in the digital world on TikTok, then worked at Astro. After a few years, I opened my own company.

— UbaiClarifying his professional background.

Ubai also expressed that he never feels inferior doing any halal job, regardless of his wife's celebrity status. "Shila herself doesn't mind my job. As long as I'm happy, she's happy. Maybe society has a stigma that if someone is an artist or well-known, they must maintain a certain standard. But I was raised in a modest family. As long as the work is halal, not wrong, and doesn't bother anyone, I'm okay with it," he said.

Shila herself doesn't mind my job. As long as I'm happy, she's happy. Maybe society has a stigma that if someone is an artist or well-known, they must maintain a certain standard. But I was raised in a modest family. As long as the work is halal, not wrong, and doesn't bother anyone, I'm okay with it.

— UbaiDiscussing societal perceptions and his personal values regarding work.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Utusan Malaysia in Malay. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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