Latest news with #Covid-19MovementControlOrder
Sinar Daily
a day ago
- Business
- Sinar Daily
Former engineer turns to kantan farming, helps generate community economy
In 2023, they sold over 40,000 seedlings, yet demand still exceeds supply. 16 Aug 2025 12:06pm Kantan Taiping Project Manager Abd Halim Abd Majid, 50, (left) with his business partner Mohammad Hazwan Mohamad Nor, 45, inspecting the condition of torch ginger flowers (bunga kantan) at their farm here recently. Photo by Bernama TAIPING - Who would have thought that plants that complement the flavours of dishes like asam pedas, laksa and kerabu could become a profitable source of income for those with the vision to seize the opportunity? For former engineer Abd Halim Abd Majid, 50, from Kampung Batu 9, Trong, venturing into "kantan' (torch ginger) farming not only provided a steady income but also opened doors to new agricultural opportunities, particularly in producing and selling kantan seedlings. As the Taiping Kantan Project Manager, Halim said the idea took root during the Covid-19 Movement Control Order (MCO) after discussions with his partner, Mohammad Hazwan Mohamad Nor, 45, who had 15 years' experience in kantan cultivation. "A friend suggested we focus on producing kantan seeds instead of just planting for flowers. Hazwan encouraged me to try germinating seeds from the flower itself rather than using rhizomes like ginger or turmeric,' he said. Kantan Taiping Project Manager Abd Halim Abd Majid, 50, (left) with his business partner Mohammad Hazwan Mohamad Nor, 45, inspecting the condition of torch ginger flowers (bunga kantan) at their farm here recently. Photo by Bernama In March 2022, the experiment succeeded, producing 800 seedlings in about three months, each reaching 20cm in height. Soon after, bulk orders came in - 300 plants at a time - confirming high market demand. To date, they have produced over 15,000 seedlings, marketed primarily through Facebook. Buyers now come from Perak as well as Muar, Gua Musang, Kuantan, Kedah, and Perlis. With growing demand, Halim extended opportunities to the "asnaf' (tithe recipients) and low-income groups, encouraging them to use their home yards for kantan seedling cultivation. He said several of the asnaf families were able to cultivate between 2,000 to 3,000 kantan seedlings. His team buys back their produce, thus helping to boost their household income. Seedlings sell for RM3.50 to RM60, depending on size and age. A view of some torch ginger (bunga kantan) plants cultivated at the farm owned by Kantan Taiping Project Manager Abd Halim Abd Majid here recently. Photo by Bernama "The high demand allows us to sell 400 to 500 seeds a week with an average income of about RM2,500 a month," he added. In 2023, they sold over 40,000 seedlings, yet demand still exceeds supply. They have since diversified into downstream products, including kantan flower sambal bilis, which has received an encouraging market response. Halim, who is also the deputy chairman of the Al-Akram Larut Matang and Selama Welfare Organisation (Pekebal), hopes to eventually take the product overseas. Meanwhile, Hazwan describes kantan as a hardy herbal plant with low disease risk, producing flowers within 12-14 months with proper care. Beyond seedlings, entrepreneurs also supply fresh kantan flowers - whether unopened, partially bloomed, or fully bloomed - to markets and wholesalers, priced around RM0.50 each. He expressed gratitude to the Perak Agriculture Department and other agencies for their support and encouraged more youth to enter the field. "Instead of leaving land idle, planting kantan is a better option. It's low-maintenance, offers steady demand, and can provide side income,' he said. - BERNAMA More Like This
Malay Mail
6 days ago
- Business
- Malay Mail
In Taiping, former engineer's ‘kantan' farming blossoms into community lifeline
TAIPING, Aug 11 — Who would have thought that plants that complement the flavours of dishes like asam pedas, laksa and kerabu could become a profitable source of income for those with the vision to seize the opportunity? For former engineer Abd Halim Abd Majid, 50, from Kampung Batu 9, Trong, venturing into kantan (torch ginger) farming not only provided a steady income but also opened doors to new agricultural opportunities, particularly in producing and selling kantan seedlings. As the Taiping Kantan Project Manager, Abd Halim said the idea took root during the Covid-19 Movement Control Order (MCO) after discussions with his partner, Mohammad Hazwan Mohamad Nor, 45, who had 15 years' experience in kantan cultivation. 'A friend suggested we focus on producing kantan seeds instead of just planting for flowers. Hazwan encouraged me to try germinating seeds from the flower itself rather than using rhizomes like ginger or turmeric,' he said. In March 2022, the experiment succeeded, producing 800 seedlings in about three months, each reaching 20cm in height. Soon after, bulk orders came in — 300 plants at a time — confirming high market demand. To date, they have produced over 15,000 seedlings, marketed primarily through Facebook. — Bernama pic In March 2022, the experiment succeeded, producing 800 seedlings in about three months, each reaching 20cm in height. Soon after, bulk orders came in — 300 plants at a time — confirming high market demand. To date, they have produced over 15,000 seedlings, marketed primarily through Facebook. Buyers now come from Perak as well as Muar, Gua Musang, Kuantan, Kedah, and Perlis. With growing demand, Abd Halim extended opportunities to the asnaf (tithe recipients) and low-income groups, encouraging them to use their home yards for kantan seedling cultivation. He said several of the asnaf families were able to cultivate between 2,000 to 3,000 kantan seedlings. His team buys back their produce, thus helping to boost their household income. Seedlings sell for RM3.50 to RM60, depending on size and age. Abd Halim showing torch ginger seedlings at his farm. — Bernama pic 'The high demand allows us to sell 400 to 500 seeds a week with an average income of about RM2,500 a month,' he added. In 2023, they sold over 40,000 seedlings, yet demand still exceeds supply. They have since diversified into downstream products, including kantan flower sambal bilis, which has received an encouraging market response. Abd Halim, who is also the deputy chairman of the Al-Akram Larut Matang and Selama Welfare Organisation (Pekebal), hopes to eventually take the product overseas. Meanwhile, Mohammad Hazwan describes kantan as a hardy herbal plant with low disease risk, producing flowers within 12-14 months with proper care. Kantan Taiping project manager Abd Halim Abd Majid, 50, (left) with his business partner Mohammad Hazwan Mohamad Nor, 45, working at their torch ginger farm. — Bernama pic Beyond seedlings, entrepreneurs also supply fresh kantan flowers — whether unopened, partially bloomed, or fully bloomed — to markets and wholesalers, priced around RM0.50 each. He expressed gratitude to the Perak Agriculture Department and other agencies for their support and encouraged more youth to enter the field. 'Instead of leaving land idle, planting kantan is a better option. It's low-maintenance, offers steady demand, and can provide side income,' he said. — Bernama
The Star
6 days ago
- Business
- The Star
Flavourful fortune for ex-engineer
In bloom: Kantan is a hardy herbal plant with low disease risk, producing flowers within 12-14 months with proper care. — Bernama TAIPING: Who would have thought that plants that complement the flavours of dishes like asam pedas, laksa and kerabu could become a profitable source of income for those with the vision to seize the opportunity? For former engineer Abd Halim Abd Majid, 50, from Kampung Batu 9, Trong, venturing into 'kantan' (torch ginger) farming not only provided a steady income but also opened doors to new agricultural opportunities, particularly in producing and selling kantan seedlings. As the Taiping Kantan Project manager, Abd Halim said the idea took root during the Covid-19 Movement Control Order (MCO) after discussions with his partner, Mohammad Hazwan Mohamad Nor, 45, who had 15 years' experience in kantan cultivation. Closer look: Abd Halim (left) and Mohammad Hazwan checking the condition of the kantan flowers at their farm in Taiping. — Bernama 'A friend suggested we focus on producing kantan seeds instead of just planting for flowers. Hazwan encouraged me to try germinating seeds from the flower itself rather than using rhizomes like ginger or turmeric,' he said. In March 2022, the experiment succeeded, producing 800 seedlings in about three months, each reaching 20cm in height. Soon after, bulk orders came in – 300 plants at a time – confirming high market demand. To date, they have produced over 15,000 seedlings, marketed primarily through Facebook. Buyers now come from Perak as well as Muar, Gua Musang, Kuantan, Kedah, and Perlis. With growing demand, Abd Halim extended opportunities to the 'asnaf' (tithe recipients) and low-income groups, encouraging them to use their home yards for kantan seedling cultivation. He said several of the asnaf families were able to cultivate between 2,000 and 3,000 kantan seedlings, Bernama reported. His team buys back their produce, thus helping to boost their household income. Seedlings sell for RM3.50 to RM60, depending on size and age. 'The high demand allows us to sell 400 to 500 seeds a week with an average income of about RM2,500 a month,' he added. In 2023, they sold over 40,000 seedlings, yet demand still exceeds supply. They have since diversified into downstream products, including kantan flower sambal bilis, which has received encouraging market response. Abd Halim, who is also the deputy chairman of the Al-Akram Larut Matang and Selama Welfare Organisation, hopes to eventually take the product overseas. Meanwhile, Mohammad Hazwan describes kantan as a hardy herbal plant with low disease risk, producing flowers within 12-14 months with proper care. Beyond seedlings, entrepreneurs also supply fresh kantan flowers – whether unopened, partially bloomed, or fully bloomed – to markets and wholesalers, priced around RM0.50 each. He expressed gratitude to the Perak Agriculture Department and other agencies for their support and encouraged more youths to enter the field. 'Instead of leaving land idle, planting kantan is a better option. 'It's low-maintenance, offers steady demand, and can provide side income,' he said.
Borneo Post
23-04-2025
- Borneo Post
Civil servant ordered to enter defence over tender abuse charges
KOTA KINABALU (April 23): A civil servant was ordered to enter her defence by a Sessions Court here on Wednesday for two charges of abusing her power over food supply tender. In his reserved ruling, judge Jason Juga made the order on Monica Gualin, 52, after he ruled that the prosecution had established a prima facie case against the accused. On the first to the second counts, the charges stated that Monica as an Assistant District Officer (Administration) Grade N29, had allegedly used her position to obtain a RM15,000 bribe for herself and RM34,980 for her relative in March 2020 in Kuala Penyu. Monica had allegedly proposed her relative's company to carry out food and beverage supply tender for frontline officers during the Covid-19 Movement Control Order (MCO) period in Kuala Penyu. The two charges were under Section 23(1) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act 2009, punishable under Section 24 of the same Act. If found guilty, she is liable to a jail term of up to 20 years and a fine of not less than five times the amount involved or RM10,000, whichever is higher, upon conviction. The court fixed July 7-8 for her to enter her defence. Monica, who was represented by counsel Datuk Norbert Chin, is currently released on RM10,000 bail with RM5,000 deposit and one local surety. Her counsel told the court that the defence will produce two witnesses, including the accused, for the defence trial. During the prosecution stage, 11 witnesses were called to give their evidence against Monica.
