CHRIS M.J. believes the world needs more smiles, laughter and joy. With that in mind, he started a YouTube spot called The Khabar Baik Show early this year.
“It is like a news channel. The only difference is that I present the good news that takes place in Malaysia,” explains the 26-year-old content creator.
His show format includes interviews with inspiring people who have done Malaysia proud and spread positivity with their deeds for the community.
He cites an interview with a samaritan named Cheah Kok Hon.
Cheah repairs old laptops and gives them to children who cannot afford computers, says Seremban-born Chris, whose father is Chindian and mother, Peranakan. He has two sisters.
“What he does is really inspiring,” said Chris.
Another interview that has warmed the hearts of followers was with R. Pravin.
At the young age of 20, he went on a lofty mission: to start a food bank for hungry and needy people.
“His mission in life is to make Malaysia a zero-hunger nation.”
The Khabar Baik Show can run from five minutes to half an hour. Chris works hard to put up new content every week. To date, he has put up more than 15 episodes on YouTube.
Viewer numbers have spiked over the past few months.
“I enjoy making people smile.”
His aim is to work on making The Khabar Baik Show into something bigger and better.
“I would like to see it being aired on national television,” he says.
What sparked the inspiration for The Khabar Baik Show?
The lockdowns that began last year due to the pandemic.
We became hooked on social media to catch up on the latest happenings.
There are so many negative comments out there. You get agitated and depressed reading them.
There is so much frustration. This sparked an idea in me that we need to create something to bring some kind of joy into our lives.
What has been your biggest challenge in running the show?
Searching for good news is really difficult. Most media establishments love to highlight negative news.
But friends and fans have been passing me (tips on) good news they have read and heard.
I think the show is slowly creating a movement where people are looking forward to good news.
Is it true you left your job as an engineer to pursue an entertainment career?
Yes. I was an engineer for three years. I did not hate my job. But that is not where my heart is. I wanted to be a television host. I would love to host something along the lines of The Jimmy Fallon Show. I love the way he interacts with his guests. I want to be the Jimmy Fallon of Malaysia. I would love to try my luck as an actor, too. I have done some commercials. I love entertaining and connecting with people.
Are you ready for the challenges of the entertainment industry?
After sending in my resignation letter, I felt extreme anxiety for the first few days. Then, I realised I needed to chase my dreams.
I understand the challenges ahead. I need to work my butt off. Leaving my full-time job will give me the energy and the time to focus on The Khabar Baik Show. I can strengthen the show even further.
What is your life philosophy?
We magnify what we focus on. If you focus on your problems, then you will have more problems. If you focus on the good things in your life, then more good things will happen to you. Always count your blessings.
