logo
Muruku Bonda: The vegetarian snack that grew from a pregnancy project to a booming brand winning hearts across Malaysia, Taiwan

Muruku Bonda: The vegetarian snack that grew from a pregnancy project to a booming brand winning hearts across Malaysia, Taiwan

Malay Mail2 days ago
BUKIT MERTAJAM, July 20 — Armed with a cherished family recipe, a husband-and-wife duo turned their humble beginnings into a thriving muruku business, attracting customers from both Malaysia and abroad.
Idris Alias, 67, and his wife, Fatimah Ishak, 63, from Guar Perahu, here, started their small home-based business in 1984 after she inherited a muruku recipe from her mother-in-law.
'I was seven months pregnant at the time, so we only made small batches of the crunchy snack. We had very little capital to start with. But I gave it a go, taking orders from friends.
'From those early days making muruku at home, we managed to grow the business under the brand name 'Muruku Bonda'. Nine years ago, we opened a shop in Kubang Semang, funded by profits we steadily reinvested,' Fatimah told Bernama.
She said that Muruku Bonda uses natural ingredients, with no artificial colouring, and entirely free from eggs, anchovies, or any animal-based products, making it ideal for those following a vegetarian diet.
Interestingly, over 85 per cent of their customers are from the Chinese community, making Chinese New Year their peak sales period.
'We even received orders from Taiwan at one point, but had to turn them down because the shipping costs were too high. Still, the customer flew over themselves and bought in bulk to take home,' she added.
Muruku Bonda's recipe dates back over 40 years ago to Idris Alias' mother. — Bernama pic
Currently, the couple operates with just two frying machines – usually only one runs on regular days, producing around 150 kilogrammes (kg) of muruku daily, increasing to 200kg during festive periods.
Idris shared that their son and daughter-in-law now help run the family business.
One of their main challenges, he explained, is limited operating space, which makes it difficult to meet growing demand. They even had to decline an offer to stock Muruku Bonda in a major convenience store chain.
On most days, just one frying machine is used to produce 150kg of Muruku Bonda daily at the shop in Kubang Semang, Penang, but the second fryer picks up the load for festive days when demand soars. — Bernama pic
Nonetheless, the couple remain determined to expand into a larger facility in the future, with hopes of passing the business down to their only child.
'My advice to young entrepreneurs is to understand your product and your customers, and to have patience. That is vital in the business world.
'Most importantly, as Muslims, we must remember to give charity and pay zakat. That's the key to lasting blessings. Not just in wealth, but also in health,' Idris said. — Bernama
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

MP questions rejection of hike in special grant
MP questions rejection of hike in special grant

Daily Express

time6 hours ago

  • Daily Express

MP questions rejection of hike in special grant

Kota Kinabalu: Kota Kinabalu MP Chan Fong Hin took the Federal Government to task for the manner in which Sabah appears to be sidelined in terms of revenue allocation. He said the 'Keluarga Malaysia' slogan is useless if the plantation sector feels victimised, the tourism sector feels marginalised, the unemployed feel left out and the people of Sabah are not given increase in special grants provided in the Malaysian Constitution.

Malaysia To Host Second Round Of EU Free Trade Talks In November
Malaysia To Host Second Round Of EU Free Trade Talks In November

Barnama

time7 hours ago

  • Barnama

Malaysia To Host Second Round Of EU Free Trade Talks In November

BUSINESS KUALA LUMPUR, July 22 (Bernama) -- Malaysia is expected to host the second round of negotiations for the Malaysia-European Union Free Trade Agreement (MEUFTA) in November 2025, according to the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI). The ministry said the first round of MEUFTA talks took place in Brussels, Belgium, from June 30 to July 4, 2025, with 21 chapters currently under negotiation with the European Union (EU). 'In addition to traditional chapters such as trade in goods, rules of origin, customs and trade facilitation, services, and investment, the FTA with the EU also includes new chapters such as sustainable food systems and trade and sustainable development -- topics which were not included when talks first began in 2010,' MITI said in a written reply published on the Parliament website today. The response was to a question by Datuk Seri Hasni Mohammad (BN–Simpang Renggam) on whether MITI plans to resume FTA talks with the EU and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), and the areas of focus. MITI added that in 2024, bilateral trade between Malaysia and the EU reached RM218.9 billion (US$1=RM4.23), with exports totalling RM115.8 billion and imports RM103.1 billion. Malaysia's main exports to the EU included electrical and electronic products, manufactured goods, palm oil and related products, processed foods, and optical and scientific equipment. From 2021 to 2024, the total approved investments from EU countries in Malaysia's manufacturing and services sectors, overseen by the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA), amounted to RM198.2 billion. Meanwhile, on the Malaysia-GCC FTA, Malaysia signed a joint statement with the GCC on May 26, 2025, to launch negotiations on an FTA between the two parties. The first round of negotiations is scheduled to take place in September 2025.

MCBA announces 2026 exhibition to boost Malaysia-Cambodia business ties
MCBA announces 2026 exhibition to boost Malaysia-Cambodia business ties

New Straits Times

time8 hours ago

  • New Straits Times

MCBA announces 2026 exhibition to boost Malaysia-Cambodia business ties

KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysia-Cambodia Business Association (MCBA) yesterday announced that it will host an exhibition next year aimed at boosting trade and investment cooperation between Malaysia and Cambodia. Scheduled for June 2026, the Malaysia–Cambodia Business Matching Exhibition 2026 is expected to attract between 200 and 300 entrepreneurs, investors, and industry leaders from both countries. In addition to encouraging growth in key sectors such as manufacturing, agriculture, food and beverages, logistics, construction, and services, the exhibition aims to promote sustainable business relationships while contributing to Asean economic integration and high-quality regional growth. The announcement was made during MCBA's "Strategic Cooperation Networking & Fellowship Dinner" yesterday, which brought together over 120 guests, including presidents and representatives from 20 strategic partner chambers in Malaysia. Also present were the Commercial Counsellor of the Embassy of Cambodia in Malaysia, Vith Panhnha, Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation representative S. Jai Shanker, and MCBA founding president Datuk Seri Ricky Yaw. The dinner marked the first major follow-up event after the successful conclusion of the Malaysia–Cambodia Trade and Investment Mission in June 2025. The aim is to consolidate outcomes and deepen strategic trade and investment cooperation between both countries. "This dinner is not only a valuable platform for engagement but also a testament to our shared commitment to fostering cooperation, strengthening regional synergy, and achieving mutual prosperity," said Yaw. To sustain the momentum, MCBA also announced that it will lead a second high-level delegation to Cambodia from Aug 20 to 23 for a four-day trade mission and business exploration. The delegation will engage with Cambodian ministries, industrial parks, and enterprises to identify new cooperation and investment opportunities for Malaysian companies.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store