Mohammad Hasif Afiq, a 30-year-old senior iOS engineer at Grab, was included in Apple’s first-ever Developer Recognition programme, becoming the first Malaysian to be featured among about 50 developers and community leaders worldwide [1, 2]. He received the notification from Apple’s Developer Relations team via email on May 14, 2026 [1, 2].

Hasif said his first reaction was "complete disbelief." He "reread the email a few times before immediately going to the Apple Developer website to confirm it for myself," adding that being the only Malaysian recognized made the moment "even more surreal and emotional" [1, 2]. He described the recognition as not only a personal milestone but also a proud moment for Malaysia’s local developer ecosystem [1, 2].

"Apple has always set a very high standard for innovation, creativity and user experience," Hasif said. "To be acknowledged by them is truly an honour. I hope this can inspire more Malaysian developers to confidently showcase their work and contribute to the global developer community. Talent exists everywhere, including Malaysia, and I believe this recognition shows that our work can also gain international attention and appreciation" [1, 2].

Hasif started developing apps at age 17, inspired by his fascination with Apple technology. He studied Computer Science at Universiti Teknologi MARA Shah Alam [1, 2]. His portfolio includes apps such as Amalan Mukmin, Vacay, Hidayah App, Lylyn App, and Bantu App — the latter gaining traction during the COVID-19 pandemic [1, 2].

Before joining Grab, Hasif was a pioneer engineer at GXBank, Malaysia's first digital bank, and contributed to building the Boost Business application [1, 2]. In April 2025, he co-founded the SwiftLah! iOS developer community, which grew from 7 founding members to over 200 through meetups and technical sessions [1]. He emphasized the value Apple places on giving back to the ecosystem and community [1].

The Developer Recognition programme’s inaugural cohort included about 50 developers and community leaders worldwide, recognized for their contributions and impact [1, 2].

The news was first reported on May 15 by Malay Mail and again on May 24 by New Straits Times [1, 2].