Kuala lumpur: Software engineer Mohammad Hasif Afiq has made history as the first Malaysian to be featured in Apple's newly introduced Developer Recognition programme. The 30-year-old, who currently serves as a senior iOS engineer at Grab, is among approximately 50 developers and community leaders recognised globally in the initiative's inaugural batch.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Hasif described the recognition from the global tech giant as a surreal and emotional moment, after being notified via an official email from Apple's Developer Relations team. He initially experienced disbelief upon receiving the news, needing to verify the information multiple times before it finally sank in. The moment was made even more significant by the fact that he was the only Malaysian featured.
The first people Hasif shared his achievement with were his wife and parents. He views the recognition as more than a personal achievement, considering it a proud moment for Malaysia's local developer ecosystem. Being acknowledged by Apple, a company that has inspired him throughout his career, is a tremendous honour for Hasif. He hopes this recognition will inspire more Malaysian developers to showcase their work and contribute to the global developer community.
Hasif's journey in app development began at 17, driven by a fascination with Apple's technology. He pursued a Bachelor of Computer Science at Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Shah Alam and has since developed several applications, including Amalan Mukmin, Vacay, Hidayah App, Lylyn App, and Bantu App, with Bantu App gaining particular traction during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Professionally, Hasif has contributed significantly to the development of the Boost Business application and was among the pioneer engineers at GXBank, Malaysia's first digital bank, before joining Grab. Reflecting on his journey, he notes the challenges of adapting to the rapidly evolving technology industry, with much of his learning coming through self-learning and independent problem-solving.
Hasif's efforts in fostering the local developer community likely caught Apple's attention, particularly through his co-founding of SwiftLah! in April 2025. This community initiative for iOS developers and Apple enthusiasts in Malaysia has grown from seven members to over 200 through regular meetups and networking events. He believes that while Malaysia has many talented developers, the primary challenges are exposure, opportunities, and access to the right platforms and communities.