By Natasha Isabel Saravanan
From a 12-Year-Old Coder to a Tech Entrepreneur
“When I was 12, I attended my first programming class,” Alex Lam recalled with a smile. “That experience ignited my lifelong passion for technology.”
What began as curiosity became a calling. By the time he turned 18, Lam was already assembling and selling computers and helping local businesses get online through Malaysia’s early internet provider, JARING. Although his university studies focused on business, he gravitated naturally towards computing electives, discovering a blend of commercial and technical skills that would define his career.
After graduation, Lam joined a local dotcom for a year, gaining first-hand experience in the realities of e-commerce. Then, in 2000, he made the leap and founded Integricity Technology, a web hosting company dedicated to helping Malaysian businesses establish an online presence.
“It really was a different era,” he reflected. “We were selling 15MB web hosting packages for RM150 a year and that was considered cutting edge back then.”
The early days, however, were anything but easy. Without a mentor, Lam learned through trial and error. “In retrospect, a business coach would have been a good investment,” he admitted. Yet, those formative challenges built the resilience and adaptability that would later define his leadership style and philosophy on business growth.
Anchored by Integrity, Guided by People
In the rapidly evolving tech industry, Lam’s leadership has always been grounded in values rather than trends. “Integrity, excellence and a family-first culture have always anchored my leadership,” he stated.
As technology transitioned from early internet tools to cloud computing and now AI, Lam emphasised that adaptability was key. But adaptation, he opined, should never come at the expense of values.
“I’ve always prioritised relationships and teamwork,” he explained. “Technology may change, but people remain the heart of any organisation.”
Under Lam’s leadership, this human-centred philosophy translated into a workplace culture that balanced innovation with empathy. He cultivated an environment where employees were encouraged to experiment, make mistakes and grow, a mindset that mirrored his own entrepreneurial beginnings.
“The real test of leadership isn’t during good times,” he observed. “It’s when things go wrong. That’s when your principles are either proven or abandoned.”
This belief became even more important during one of the biggest turning points of his career: the 2021 merger between Integricity Technology and SRKK AI.
When Two Paths Converge: Building a Stronger SRKK
When Lam decided to merge Integricity Technology with SRKK AI in 2021, his intention was clear. “I felt a smaller slice of a bigger pie was better over fully owning a smaller pie,” he put it simply.
The merger brought together Integricity’s technological depth and SRKK’s established industry presence. The combined entity could now deliver end-to-end digital transformation services across Malaysia.
“What brought us together was a mutual belief that digital transformation should be seamless, not intimidating,” Lam shared. “We wanted to help businesses step confidently into the digital economy.”
However, as with any merger, challenges were inevitable. “While our values aligned perfectly, our cultures were different,” Lam acknowledged. “Integrating them required patience, transparent communication and mutual respect.”
One particularly difficult moment came when every engineer from one of the Integricity Technology’s divisions left within months of the merger. It was, Lam confessed, a humbling experience. “It taught me the need for an extra dose of empathy,” he noted.
“You can’t just merge systems — you have to merge people. You need to spend time helping everyone see themselves in the new story.”
Through that experience, Lam refined his approach to leadership during transformation: honesty, listening, and consistent communication. It’s a lesson that continues to shape SRKK’s culture as the company grows.
Beyond Buzzwords: How SRKK Makes Digital Transformation Work for Everyone
For Lam, digital transformation is not a matter of buzzwords or flashy tools.
“Digital transformation isn’t about fancy technology,” Lam stressed. “It’s about solving real problems.”
This philosophy explains SRKK’s reputation as a trusted partner in the digital landscape. The company holds six Microsoft Solution Partner designations, a benchmark Microsoft uses to identify partners with validated technical competencies and a track record of successful customer implementations. SRKK was the first Malaysian firm to achieve such a distinction.
“Our goal is to help businesses modernise and scale,” Lam underscored. “From cloud adoption and modern workplace solutions to cybersecurity, data analytics and AI integration, we focus on solutions that empower people.”
The process begins with consulting. Before SRKK starts any project, the team works with clients to map out challenges, define a clear digital roadmap and set measurable outcomes. Lam shared an example from finance departments struggling with manual accounts payable processes. SRKK first maps the workflow with the client, identifies the most time-consuming steps and then applies technologies to improve them. The results are measured before and after implementation.
“If it used to take three people three days, and after transformation it takes one person half a day, that is tangible value,” Lam explained. “This is the kind of impact we aim to deliver.”
Through such solutions, SRKK helps businesses streamline operations, empower teams and make informed decisions faster. The impact extends beyond productivity metrics. It represents a cultural shift toward curiosity, collaboration, and confidence in the digital age.
Lam highlighted that these advancements aren’t limited to large corporations. “Even SMEs can leverage AI to gain insights, reduce costs and compete globally,” he pointed out. “The key is to start small — implement one solution that brings immediate value and build from there.”
Building an Inclusive AI Future for Malaysia
Lam’s excitement grew when speaking about the country’s digital landscape. The establishment of the National AI Office, he believes, marks a defining moment in Malaysia’s ambition to become an AI-driven community. “We’re very intentional about contributing to that vision. We even renamed our company to SRKK AI,” he remarked.
He predicts that the next three to five years will be critical for SMEs. With national digital economy initiatives gaining momentum, AI applications in supply chain optimisation, ESG reporting, customer insights and demand forecasting will become increasingly accessible.
“SMEs that embrace AI early will scale faster and compete globally,” Lam said. “AI is no longer just for multinationals. It is the great equaliser.”
Beyond business, he envisions a Malaysia where digital literacy and inclusive growth go hand in hand. “AI has the potential to transform not just how we work, but how we live,” he envisioned. “It can empower small entrepreneurs, streamline government services and create entirely new industries.”
For SRKK AI, this means evolving from a solutions provider into a strategic partner capable of helping clients anticipate, adapt and thrive.
Passing the Torch of Innovation
If Lam were to offer one piece of advice to emerging entrepreneurs, it is to simply just start.
“Don’t let fear hold you back,” he encouraged. “Automate a small task. Explore one AI tool. Get a mentor. Learn continuously.”
His reflections stem from both early struggles and later successes. “If I could go back, I’d have invested in a coach earlier,” he mused. “Someone who could shorten the learning curve.”
Lam’s journey, from a curious young coder to a key player within SRKK AI, is a testament to lifelong learning. It highlights that while technology may define the tools of success, vision, humility and resilience define the leader.
“AI isn’t here to replace people,” he concluded. “It’s here to help us do more — to think bigger, to work smarter, and to lead with purpose.”
As Malaysia steps into the AI era, Lam’s vision underscores a powerful truth. The digital age is not only about keeping pace. It is about creating purpose. Through SRKK AI, Lam demonstrates how innovation, empathy and integrity can move a nation forward together.
