For Datuk Mahadi, that isn’t just philosophy. It’s a call to action.
Three Ventures, One Purpose
From his base in Malaysia, Datuk Mahadi actively leads three companies.
The first is a renewable energy advisory and project consultancy. “We focus on energy solutions that are not only commercially viable but environmentally conscious,” he said. His work includes advisory services and on-ground implementation of sustainable energy projects, designed to bridge the country’s transition to cleaner energy systems.
The second is a business and student placement centre specialising in Germany rooted in Datuk Mahadi’s own journey of growing up and studying there. “We have a company in Germany and extensive collaborations with German institutions. That exposure shaped much of how I think and operate today,” he said.
And the third is a high-tech agriculture and precision farming venture, born out of a larger regional vision. Since November 2021, Datuk Mahadi has served as Director of the Indonesia-Malaysia-Thailand Growth Triangle (IMT-GT) Joint Business Council (JBC), a regional initiative focused on driving private sector collaboration, promoting trade and investment, and facilitating investor-friendly policy solutions.
At various IMT-GT summits, Datuk Mahadi said, regional leaders consistently raised two pressing imperatives, halal industry development and food security. That convergence of policy discussions and business opportunity led him to take action. “I saw the gaps and decided to act. But I’ve also consistently emphasised that food security alone is not enough, we must focus on nutritional safety too.”
From Policymaker to Problem-Solver
Datuk Mahadi’s journey from policymaker to entrepreneur has always been one of action, not ambition for its own sake. He began his professional career at Accenture and later Mercedes-Benz Malaysia before stepping into government as a Special Officer to then Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, and later, to Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir in the Kedah State Government.
“I was only 25 or 26 then, observing how policy was formed and how it impacted lives. That experience grounded my sense of responsibility,” he said. Eventually, he was tasked with restructuring several state agencies under MBI Kedah, including water, agriculture, and human capital companies. But political instability and the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 led him to leave government and double down on business and regional policy.
Green Growth and a German Realisation
His time in Germany did more than shape his business sensibilities, it also sparked a realisation. Alongside fellow policy advisor Dr Balamurugan, Datuk Mahadi co-founded the Green Growth Asia Foundation (GGAF), a non-profit for education in climate action.
It all started in Berlin. “We had been writing speeches for ministers and signing pledges at COP, but when we returned to Malaysia, there wasn’t even a carbon inventory,” he recalled. “So we challenged ourselves, why don’t we do something concrete?”
That “something” is now GGAF, the national operator of the UN Eco-Schools programme in Malaysia, and recently appointed as the national operator for Indonesia, the first time a Malaysian organisation has been awarded such a role for another country.
“Our job isn’t to dictate. We educate,” said Datuk Mahadi. “The children involved in Eco-Schools come up with amazing, locally-rooted solutions to environmental problems around their homes and schools. They’re the future leaders we want to nurture.”
Transforming Food Systems from the Ground Up
In the field of high-tech agriculture, Datuk Mahadi is currently spearheading trials in Kedah focused on high-yield paddy, nutrient-rich vegetables, and aquaculture with poultry systems in the pipeline. “These are our staple foods, but we’ve been focusing too much on just getting food to the table. We’ve overlooked nutrition.”
Through partnerships with the academia, his team is integrating precision farming with research on improving food quality, yield, and sustainability. “The goal is to build resilient, nutrition-oriented farming systems that benefit both consumers and farmers,” he said.
His academic research, he holds a Master’s in Sustainable Development, also ties back to the land. His thesis focused on saltwater intrusion in paddy areas in Kedah. “Even that work now informs how we approach soil resilience and water management in our trial plots,” he said.
In 2026, he added, the work moves from pilot to full-scale deployment: “We’ve done the studies. Now it’s time to hit the ground running.”
Unlocking Kedah’s Regional Potential
Though no longer based in Kedah, Datuk Mahadi continues to advocate for the state as a regional investment hub, especially in relation to Thailand.
“There’s always been strong interest from the Thai government to collaborate on halal manufacturing,” he said. But the challenge is certification. “A solution could be to shift manufacturing to Kedah, they get easier access to Malaysia’s halal ecosystem and we stimulate local economic growth,” Datuk Mahadi added.
As part of the IMT-GT JBC, Datuk Mahadi is working to build stronger Malaysia–Thailand business ties, particularly for Kedah and Langkawi. “The potential is there. We need to ensure continuity and coordinated strategy.”
Anchor in a Storm: How He Stays Grounded
While juggling multiple companies and regional roles, Datuk Mahadi admitted the pace eventually caught up to him, something he recently realised after climbing Mount Kinabalu in June 2025.
“That euphoria from the climb made me start running every morning. Now, morning runs and post-Subuh prayers are how I clear my head,” he said.
Looking forward: Agility, Alignment, and Action
In 2026, Datuk Mahadi is focused on aligning every project with tangible outcomes. “With AI, digitalisation, and food-tech advancing rapidly, the agility of our businesses will be tested. But if we remain rooted in the public good and national interest, we will withstand the turbulence,” he said.
Datuk Mahadi’s work is ultimately about convergence, where policy meets practice, where business meets values, and where personal philosophy drives public impact.
“Technology should solve everyday problems. Business should serve people. And policy must lead to action.”
Datuk Ir Ts Dr Mahadi Mohamad
Datuk Ir Ts Dr Mahadi Mohd is one of the participants of the MALAYSIA SME Sportrepreneur 2026 Congress, joining a 30-member team in the ASEAN Records Attempt Expedition to host the highest-altitude Congress. More than just a climb, this journey represents resilience, entrepreneurship, and the spirit of pushing boundaries—both in business and beyond.
MALAYSIA SME’s 12th installment of its Congress will take place at Panalaban of Mount Kinabalu, 3,272 meters above sea level, in June 2026. Stay updated on the training for the ascent and interviews from the expedition members on the MALAYSIA SME Congress YouTube channel .
