Sarawak pepper one of state's most important global products, says Saraspice chairwoman
Doris (centre), Anyi (third, left) and other officials clap after Saraspice's new premium products were launched. — Photo by Roystein Emmor
KUCHING (April 30): Sarawak pepper could potentially emerge as one of Sarawak's most important global brands, driven by its superior quality, unique aroma and world-class processing standards, said Saraspice Sdn Bhd (Saraspice) chairwoman Dato Sri Doris Sophia Brodie.
She said Sarawak pepper continues to command strong demand internationally, particularly in Japan, where buyers recognise its distinctiveness.
'Our Japanese partners informed us that Sarawak pepper stands out for its unique aroma and superior quality compared to other origins. Attempts to replace it with other varieties led to a significant drop in their sales, reaffirming the value and appeal of Sarawak pepper,' she said at the launch of Saraspice's new premium product packaging here on Monday.
Doris highlighted that Saraspice's commitment to quality was reflected in its stringent processing standards—the pepper is processed using state-of-the-art facilities accredited with HACCP, GMP and Halal certifications.
These facilities include a dry and wet processing plant, steam-treatment units to ensure food safety, and ISO/IEC 17025 accredited laboratories for rigorous quality assurance.
'Every stage, from sourcing directly from farmers to bottling with minimal human intervention, is designed to maintain the purity, safety and authenticity of Sarawak pepper. This ensures that consumers receive only the finest product,' she said.
Saraspice's recent success in listing its pepper products on all AirAsia international and domestic flights, as well as through AirAsia Move's pre-book platform, was cited as a milestone achievement in expanding brand recognition globally.
According to Doris, the rise of Sarawak pepper aligns with growing global demands for sustainability and traceability in agricultural products.
She said Saraspice is working closely with the Malaysian Pepper Board (MPB) and pepper farmers to implement sustainability initiatives, ensuring that Sarawak pepper meets international expectations in terms of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) standards.
'With these efforts, Sarawak pepper is well-positioned not only as a premium spice but also as a symbol of Sarawak's commitment to quality, sustainability, and excellence,' she said.
Doris also expressed optimism about Saraspice's future plans, including the launch of new pepper-related products under its brand name, and reiterated its mission to promote Sarawak pepper as the world's finest while uplifting local farmers' livelihoods.
'Saraspice is a brand built on authenticity and excellence. With the collective commitment of our stakeholders, I believe Sarawak pepper will continue to spice up the world and make Sarawak proud,' she said.
The event also saw the unveiling of Saraspice's latest products, including 200gm Sarawak White and Black Pepper, Garlic Pepper seasoning, premium Creamy White Pepper (CWP), and 60gm Coarse Ground Black Pepper.
Also present were MPB chairman Datuk Anyi Ngau, MPB director general Vincent Sawat, MPB corporate representative Florence Sanjan, Saraspice general manager Fu Siang Lee and other officials. Doris Sophia Brodie export foodstuff Pepper Saraspice
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Barnama
12 hours ago
- Barnama
Rubber Market Ends Slightly Higher
KUALA LUMPUR, May 29 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian rubber market ended slightly higher, supported by gains in crude oil prices. A dealer said that further gains were capped by a mixed performance in the regional rubber futures markets. She said the Japanese rubber futures traded within a thin range on Thursday as investors weighed a prolonged price war in China's vehicle market against wet weather in key production areas.
New Straits Times
12 hours ago
- New Straits Times
From a RM250 salary to Malaysia's Top 50 richest list
JOHOR BARU: A modest RM250 monthly salary selling cars marked the beginning of Lim Han Weng's career, decades before his name joined the ranks of Malaysia's 50 richest. Then, Lim was just a Kedah lad trying to land a job with his high school certification, as he knew his results would not secure his passage to university. So, the best next option, was to get a job, - any job in fact. Lim applied for a series of vacancies advertised, including to be a steward with the national airline company. But all he got was a string of job rejection letters to his name. Today, at 73, Lim is the founder of Causeway Link—the iconic yellow buses that ferry thousands across the Johor-Singapore border. But his rise to the top did not come from privilege. His first break came when he landed a job at Wearne Brothers, earning RM250 a month selling cars. The company operated in Singapore and later expanded into Malaya, with dealerships for various premium brands. Lim had to pitch high-end models to small-town buyers who mostly preferred Japanese cars. His sales target: two cars a month. The tycoon said meeting the target taught him discipline, perseverance, and mostl importantly the art of selling. He later joined Lori Malaysia, a logistics company that sent him around the country before assigning him to its Johor branch—a turning point in his life. "A driver told me… Johor is where the money can be made, given its proximity to Singapore, and he was right. I stayed," the tycoon told a Singapore-based publication. By 1984, he and his wife Bah Kim Lian launched Yinson Transport, a small trucking business moving goods across the border. That venture would morph into Yinson Holdings - a global energy logistics giant and a major player in offshore oil and gas supplies. In 1996, Yinson was listed on Bursa Malaysia but Lim didn't stop there. He diversified into renewables, marine support, and later electric vehicle charging. In Singapore, he founded Liannex Corporation in 1993, expanding into marine logistics, port operations, and construction supplies. Earlier this year, Liannex acquired Icon Offshore and rebranded it as Lianson Fleet Group. By June 2, its market value had soared past RM670 million. But what cemented his legacy for ordinary Malaysians was the launch of Causeway Link in 2003. Spotting a need among cross-border commuters, Lim built the service from scratch. "There were so many hurdles - permits, finance, manpower. But we pushed through," he was quoted by Singapore's the Straits Times. The company was listed this year as HI Mobility, with expansion plans into smart transport systems. Despite a reported family fortune of US$480 million (RM2.3 billion), Lim remains directly involved in operations, even answering WhatsApp messages from angry passengers or the Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi, himself. His son, Lim Chern Chuen, now CEO of HI Mobility, admitted: "It's hard for him to retire. Our dinner chats are mostly work-related. For him, business is also joy." Lim's children - Chern Yuan (Yinson), Chern Wooi (Lianson), and Chern Fang alongside Chern Chuen (HI Mobility), now run the family's public-listed portfolio. Lim raised them independently, sending them to Australia under age 10. "No helpers, no mollycoddling. Let them survive. If parents keep feeding them, they'll never learn to stand up." He's still involved in business deals, particularly in Indonesia. "My kids don't speak the language, so I handle it. If you retire, your brain will rust," he said. A firm believer in entrepreneurship, Lim often encourages others to strike out. "Some bankers I've dealt with are now business owners. I told them, take the risk."
The Star
13 hours ago
- The Star
AirAsia plans to train Sabah youth in aviation roles
KOTA KINABALU: AirAsia intends to collaborate with higher learning institutions in Sabah to train new generations of pilots, engineers, and flight technicians. AirAsia Group CEO Tan Sri Tony Fernandes said this is part of the airline's initiative to develop local human capital, focusing on B40 youth. He noted that while tourism remains Sabah's main economic contributor, AirAsia aims to enhance its contributions through local talent and skilled resource development. "We already have many cabin crew, engineers, and pilots. We wish to help create more pilots, engineers, and technical crews from Sabah youths," he said. Fernandes made these remarks during a courtesy visit to Sabah Head of State Tun Musa Aman on Tuesday (June 3). He mentioned they are ready with the syllabus and programme structures and will establish a working committee for implementation soon. Applications will open once programme funding is sufficient, he added. "We aim to start this programme before the end of the year, beginning with pilot training," said Fernandes. He said that the programme will eventually cover other areas like engineering, technical roles, and artificial intelligence (AI), in line with the company's investment in the latest technology. "In the flight industry, AirAsia is moving towards AI for network scheduling, fuel saving, and luggage management," he said. AirAsia wants Sabahans to be part of this technological advancement, Fernandes added.
