In 1985, a man managed the only deaf-operated KFC, in Jalan Imbi. His passion for aiding the deaf community grew from there. He poured his life savings of RM500,000 into a social enterprise restaurant cafe in 2011. This is the story of a deaf-staffed restaurant in PJ.
Meet Dr. Allen Teh
Image Credit: DIB Restaurant
Dr. Allen Teh, 61, has the honourable mission of being Asia Pacific’s biggest employer of the deaf community. He has been in the fast food industry for over 30 years, and is also the managing consultant of Price WaterHouse Malaysia, furthermore, the founder and CEO of Centre of Customer Care. Having said all that, Dr. Allen Teh started up DIB (Deaf in Business) in 2011, with the mission to aid the deaf community by providing them with jobs and financial independence.
The purpose
Through unbiased employment and deaf business entrepreneurship, to restore hope and dignity to all deaf people by improving their livelihood. To hire and train those who are deaf and people with disabilities, Dr. Allen Teh said. DIB was founded under this premise and has been carrying out its goal ever since 2011. To date, they have hired and trained over 60 individuals with disabilities and even provided financial independence to some of their employees. One of the said employees, Mr Kok, has been with Dr Allen for over 10 years.
The employees
Image Credit: DIB Restaurant
Mr Kok was only a mere teenager when he began working with DIB. His father had brought him to the interview himself. A chef in the making at the time, he’s now fully grown into himself. He’s also touted as the ‘King of Fried Rice’ at the restaurant amongst DIB employees and regular customers. Mr Kok states,
“After I joined DIB, my life changed for the better. I got my salary, I give money to my parent monthly. And I can buy things for myself, my insurance (for example). I can buy my own food and bring my friends to ‘jalan jalan’, and my life is better now.”
He signed the above with a massive grin on his face, clearly satisfied with his working environment and the financial independence gained from joining DIB.
The food
Image Credit: DIB Restaurant
Of course, despite the mission and goals of DIB, the service provided to their customers eventually falls into the food. Which is, unsurprisingly considering Dr. Allen’s expertise, really good! Having tried a majority of their dishes, here are some highlights.
The Deep Fried Spicy Chic Chop. It’s coated in their homemade super secret, super spicy flour breading, and some even say it may be the best chicken chop in KL. We, personally, may just be inclined to agree. It’s super flavourful, insanely crispy, and we mean insanely, and it bursts with juiciness at every bite.
Alternatively, give their Perch Fish and Chips (With Herbs) a shot! Herbaceous in just the right way, in the sense that the aroma doesn’t overpower the flavour, and super thick! Rather than using cod or your usual fare for fish and chips, perch fish is used, imbuing a much thicker and significantly more satisfying mouthfeel than usual.
Be sure not to miss out on their other iconic menu items like the Aloha Chicken and Creamy Mushroom, an OG recipe at DIB.
Other than the food offerings here, the environment invokes feelings of a fast food diner, with a lush green outdoor seating area.
And adorably enough, should you spend more than RM50 on a single visit, you’ll have the honour of adopting a plant!
For more information and updates on DIB, visit their official website and official Facebook profile!
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