FAST-TRACKING THE FUTURE

ZAC LIEW, CEO and co-founder of Curlec, talks to Florey D Mikil about the fintech firm he founded just five years ago that has now expanded exponentially following a major acquisition, his growing understanding of his late father's entrepreneurial spirit, and his thoughts on accelerating the future of fintech in Malaysia.

In a parallel universe, there probably exists a Zac Liew who does modelling as a full-time job. We posit this theory based on our universe's own Zac who may be fintech-focused on his normal days but has no trouble working the camera when the job calls for it. Being the CEO and co-founder of Malaysia-based fintech company Curlec, the 32-year-old is no stranger to making appearances in prints and on digital platforms to talk about his career, which, of course, involves photoshoots.

Judging by how his day job did almost veer onto a completely different path, several times at that thanks to his immensely diverse interests and skills, it's not unimaginable that he might have been gracing covers as a model instead of an entrepreneur today. "I wanted to grow up to be a footballer, just like every kid at the time," Zac reminisces of his childhood. "I even had the chance to join the national team, but my dad didn't allow me to."

"For good reason," he continues. "Looking back on it now, I realised that it was because he knew that I could pursue a different type of professional career, one with more longevity." His late father, who was a lawyer-turned-businessman, advised Zac to study law as well. "Being a Chinese parent, he, of course, wanted me to get a law degree and get qualified," he says, pausing momentarily as the hair and make-up stylists work their magic on him. Sitting in the cosy but slightly warm make-up room, no doubt due to the heatwave that has been affecting the country, he assures us that it isn't stiflingly hot for him and continues with the interview.

"So, I went into law, did my undergraduate. In a way, I knew from day one that this wasn't it for me. The fact that I didn't end up with a legal career often surprises people even more when they learn that I even went to bar school.