Dr Allen Teh Keat Beng

Dr Allen Teh Keat Beng’s passion for helping the Deaf stemmed from his time managing the first Deaf-operated KFC outlet in 1985 at Jalan Imbi. In 2011, using his life savings of RM500,000, Dr Allen founded a social enterprise restaurant cafe project called DIB (Deaf-in-Business) in Damansara Perdana. The purpose of DIB is to provide job training and employment to Deaf Malaysians.

The pioneering group of DIB includes the 5 KFC staff Dr Allen worked with, training them to become Coffee Baristas, cooking and baking.

However, running a social enterprise has its hiccups. Dr Allen expressed that there was a time when DIB was running at a loss. But, throughout 10 years of its establishment, Dr Allen has manoeuvred DIB through challenging times. So far, DIB has trained more than 30 Deaf and autistic Deaf. Under DIB’s training, few of its former employees have achieved financial independence.

Dr Allen harbours a bigger dream for DIB. He envisioned DIB becoming the largest employer of Deaf people in the Asia Pacific.

To restore hope and dignity to all deaf people by improving their livelihood, through skills training, unbiased employment and deaf business entrepreneurship.