KUALA LUMPUR, 13 April 2026 – Selangor Dredging Berhad (SDB) is demonstrating how neurodiverse inclusion can move beyond goodwill and become part of a sustainable business model through its One-Two-Boost (OTB) initiative.
Since opening its physical retail outlet at Mid Valley Megamall in June 2025, OTB has expanded its public presence while creating more opportunities for community engagement and visibility for its neurodiverse workforce. The outlet has also strengthened access to OTB’s herbal wellness products, which are developed and produced through a structured employment ecosystem supported by SDB.
Through OTB, SDB has created an inclusive employment model centred on structured recruitment, guided training, dedicated job coaching and a purpose-built work environment that enables neurodiverse individuals to contribute meaningfully within a commercial setting.
“Too often, inclusive hiring is framed around whether neurodiverse individuals can fit into existing workplace systems. The more important question is whether those systems can be adapted to accommodate different cognitive and physical abilities,” said Selangor Dredging Berhad group managing director Teh Lip Kim.
“OTB’s hiring and training programme is designed as a structured pipeline rather than a one-off intervention. Recruitment focuses on baseline abilities and willingness to learn, recognising that capabilities can be developed over time when the right support systems are in place.”
Upon onboarding, trainees undergo a guided two-month programme that integrates skills development, work etiquette and emotional regulation. Responsibilities are introduced progressively within an actual production environment, allowing individuals to build familiarity, reduce anxiety and gain confidence through consistent reinforcement.
The programme is supported by five full-time, Social Welfare Department-certified Job Coaches, including a Senior Job Coach, who provide structured daily guidance, monitor progress and refine individual support strategies. Fully funded by SDB, this added supervisory layer helps ensure clear expectations, consistent feedback and tailored support for each neurodiverse employee.
“At SDB, we view inclusion as a long-term corporate commitment rather than a discretionary effort. Continuity and stability matter and this is reflected not only in the support structures we put in place, but also in the fact that some of OTB’s neurodiverse employees have been with us for nearly 15 years,” said Teh. “SDB also fully funds the salaries of the Job Coaches so that their support remains stable and consistent, regardless of OTB’s operating revenue.”
A defining feature of OTB is its integration into the economic value chain. In collaboration with Traditional Chinese Medicine physicians, the initiative produces marketable herbal wellness products including herbal beverages, nourishment soups and drink packs that are sold directly to consumers.
OTB currently employs 13 neurodiverse individuals, comprising eight full-time and five part-time young adults, as part of SDB’s workforce of more than 220 employees. Full-time employees earn RM1,700 and above, receive equal employee benefits and are fully protected under Malaysian employment laws, providing both income security and workplace continuity.
The Mid Valley Megamall outlet showcases more than 50 herbal-based products including herbal drinks, immunity-boosting soups, balms and other products promoting holistic well-being. Beyond retail, the space also serves as a platform for acceptance, inclusion and meaningful interaction, helping bridge the gap between the neurodiverse community and the wider public.
