In today’s digital age, social media is filled with stories of overnight riches. Eye-catching screenshots, bold claims, and even AI-generated “gurus” promise quick financial success. But the truth is, AI is not magic. Investment will not instantly make you wealthy or guarantee overnight security.
Building lasting wealth is about preservation, not shortcuts. Investment’s main role is to protect what you’ve worked hard for — to combat inflation and ensure your effort doesn’t erode over time. The real power of investment lies in the magic of compound interest—the ability to earn returns on your returns, growing your wealth steadily over decades.
Many successful entrepreneurs in ASEAN, like Tan Sri Dr. Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor or Manny Pangilinan, built their fortunes slowly, focused on fundamentals, and trusted the process. Their stories show that wealth isn’t created overnight. It’s about understanding the basics, being disciplined, and playing the long game.
Currently, ASEAN economies are shifting rapidly. Malaysia’s focus on digital transformation, Philippines’ expanding industries, and infrastructure development in Indonesia show macro trends ripe for steady, informed investment. These are opportunities that reward patience and strategic thinking, not hype or quick wins.
As entrepreneurs, especially MSMEs, think of wealth as a form of self-defense. Inflation and market volatility threaten your hard-earned profits. The solution isn’t chasing risky schemes or relying on AI gimmicks. It’s about understanding the fundamentals: asset allocation, risk management, and letting compound interest work for you over time.
Warren Buffett’s success isn’t about luck or guessing; it’s about patience. He let compound interest do the heavy lifting over decades. Starting small, staying consistent, and avoiding impulsive decisions paid off. ASEAN entrepreneurs can adopt this mindset by focusing on sustainable growth rather than chasing shortcuts.
Practical steps to get started:
- Educate Yourself: Understand basic investment principles, debt management, and macroeconomic trends.
- Think Long Term: Reinvest profits, grow steadily, and avoid hype-driven decisions.
- Diversify and Manage Risks: Spread your investments, match risk level to your capacity.
- Stay the Course: Market fluctuations are normal. Focus on your long-term goal.
- Leverage Macro Trends: Use ASEAN’s growth sectors like renewable energy, digital tech, and manufacturing as opportunities for steady expansion.
Remember, wealth-building is a marathon, not a sprint. Understanding fundamentals, patience, and discipline are your best allies. AI and social media hype are just tools — they are not a shortcut to security or riches.
Credit: Based on insights from Dr. Lee Chee Loong, member of the Active Ageing Impact Lab and Senior Lecturer at Taylor’s University. He is also a Shariah-Registered Financial Planner (M30018147).
