KOTA KINABALU: Sabahan entrepreneur Willie Ng has turned his expertise in resource management into an innovative project that transforms organic waste into nutrient-rich animal feed and eco-friendly fertilisers.
His journey began in 2018 when he co-founded Global Cerah with a group of like-minded individuals.
Supported by funding from the Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry (Mosti), the team spent two years refining their innovative process through intensive research and development.
By 2021, their efforts culminated in the market launch of a groundbreaking product that uses robotic process automation (RPA) and advanced temperature sensors to convert agricultural waste into alternative protein sources.
This process, which involves turning waste into fertilisers or feeding it to black soldier fly larvae, reduces production costs, enhances food security and promotes a circular agri-food economy.
Global Cerah’s innovative approach has earned the company a place among the five national winners of the Shell LiveWIRE Malaysia 2024 competition, selected from 180 participants.
Other winners include Koperasi Opah Sri Aman Bhd and 4x4 Quest Sdn Bhd from Sarawak, along with Reclimate Sdn Bhd and Synbiozymes Sdn Bhd from Peninsular Malaysia.
Each winner received RM30,000 in start-up funding, presented by Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Minister Datuk Ewon Benedick, after a rigorous accelerator programme and final pitching session.
Expressing gratitude for the recognition and funding, Ng said the support would help them sustain operations, maintain and upgrade machinery and expand their vision.
“This will pave the way for a lasting partnership with Shell. While the company is known for its focus on oil and gas, we aim to demonstrate how working together can bring significant benefits to local communities, including small-scale farmers, and contribute to environmental sustainability.
“The crucial step is clearly conveying the progress we've achieved and how their involvement can enhance these efforts even more,” said Ng, the managing director of Global Cerah.
Ng added that Global Cerah’s success is also due to collaborations with Taiwan’s Kaoyuan University and Universiti Malaysia Sabah, as well as support from MOSTI and Qhazanah Sabah.
Operating under the motto “turning waste into protein,” Global Cerah focuses on extracting value from agricultural by-products at its facility in Papar.
Ng said their controlled dehydration process, which preserves nutrients while preventing bacterial contamination, ensuring consistent quality - a step ahead of traditional, labour-intensive composting methods.
“As an accountant by training and a green entrepreneur by passion, I’ve learned to optimise resources effectively—a vital skill for any start-up,” Ng said.
Global Cerah has also expanded its operations to Taiwan and the southern Philippines, tapping into these regions’ abundant agricultural waste.
Beyond funding, the winners have gained access to Shell’s global LiveWIRE network and an opportunity to compete in the Shell Global Top Ten Innovators Awards.
Additionally, Tabung Ekonomi Gagasan Anak Sarawak (TEGAS) has awarded RM20,000 each to the Sarawak-based winners, encouraging further participation from the region.
Benedick praised the winners for their entrepreneurial spirit, emphasising their potential to drive meaningful change.
“The most successful entrepreneurs evolve into leaders who not only build impactful businesses but also inspire and support others. This cycle of mentorship fosters a thriving ecosystem that drives innovation, economic growth and societal progress,” he said.
Introduced in Sabah in 2015, Sarawak in 2016 and Peninsular Malaysia in 2022, the Shell LiveWIRE programme supports sustainable business ventures by fostering local enterprise, creating jobs and addressing socio-economic challenges.
“Our programme serves as a catalyst for social change, enabling entrepreneurs to turn bright ideas into impactful ventures,” said Shell Malaysia country chair Siti Sulaiman.
She added that Shell takes pride in empowering local entrepreneurs to uplift communities and create meaningful employment, reflecting the company’s commitment to nurturing innovation through its global flagship initiative.
