Latest news with #Risda
Sinar Daily
4 days ago
- Automotive
- Sinar Daily
Shah Alam's 'Acik Kusyen': The artisan behind RM30,000 monthly car interior makeovers
With increasing demand, Abu Zarin relocated his workshop from Taman Senawang Jaya to a new, larger space in the Tasik Jaya Industrial Area earlier this year. Abu Zarin has 20 years of experience in car upholstery. SHAH ALAM – From a modest workshop in Jelebu to transforming luxury vehicles like Porsches, Abu Zarin Abu Hassan, known as 'Acik Kusyen', has dedicated over 20 years to mastering car upholstery and interior modification. With increasing demand, Abu Zarin relocated his workshop from Taman Senawang Jaya to a new, larger space in the Tasik Jaya Industrial Area earlier this year. Abu Zarin showing the Acik Kusyen workshop, now relocated to Taman Tasik Senawang. This move offers clients a more comfortable experience and a bigger work area. He began his career learning from his brother's furniture upholstery business before completing an automotive diploma. 'I started my own workshop after finishing my studies, offering services to repair torn seat cushions and install new ones in vehicles. "I also provide cleaning services and full car interior decoration,' he said. His business now handles approximately ten cars monthly, generating between RM20,000 to RM30,000. Prices vary based on the service and materials used, ranging from RM900 for PVC seat covers to as much as RM9,000 for a complete vintage car interior restoration. 'The most expensive job I have handled was a vintage car that came in completely bare. We did the entire interior from start to finish. Our work is well received. Abu Zarin displaying the upholstery material options offered to customers at his workshop. "Some even travel from Johor after hearing about us through social media or referrals,' he shared. Abu Zarin's process involves customers selecting designs, materials and colours. Sewing typically takes a week, and installation is completed in just one day. Despite his success, he continues to improve his business skills through Risda training and support. He also navigated tough periods, including the pandemic, by securing loans from Tekun and local banks. Looking ahead, he hopes to eventually expand into the Klang Valley but is taking a measured approach to ensure quality and staff capacity. 'I definitely want to expand there, but for now I need to maintain quality and focus on what I have. Insyaallah, one day we will reach that goal,' he said. More Like This
The Star
14-07-2025
- Business
- The Star
Johor escalating efforts to become regional halal hub
JOHOR BARU: The state is seeking to position itself as a regional halal hub through its Johor Halal Development Plan (PKHNJ) by forging strategic partnerships with national agencies. Its Islamic religious affairs committee chairman, Mohd Fared Mohd Khalid, said the state government is committed to setting the benchmark in halal certification, starting with state and federal government facilities. 'We have gained strong support from state health and environment committee chairman Ling Tian Soon and state women, family and community development committee chairman Khairin Nisa Ismail to collaborate on halal-related efforts. 'With this cooperation, we aim to ensure that all kitchens in government hospitals and welfare institutions under state supervision are halal-certified,' he added. Mohd Fared added that cafeteria operators and food providers in these agencies would be encouraged to apply for halal certification. He said the state wants government departments and agencies to lead by example in halal compliance, particularly in food and beverage preparation, before encouraging entrepreneurs and traders to follow suit. Mohd Fared said that as part of this broader strategy, the state government is also working closely with Majlis Amanah Rakyat (Mara) to streamline the halal ecosystem, from education to entrepreneurship and business management. He said he met Mara chairman Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki recently and agreed to form a collaboration. 'Mara has confirmed that Johor is the first state to officially express its intention to collaborate on halal development. 'They have also agreed to look into supporting its entrepreneurs in the state, especially in encouraging them to pursue halal certification,' he added. Mohd Fared also said a joint workshop would be organised soon to develop a streamlined framework that simplifies the halal application process, ensuring it is efficient and not burdensome to business owners. 'We also see potential for collaboration with Mara-owned educational institutions, including a proposal to establish dialysis centres to support the welfare of asnaf (eligible zakat recipients), with the Johor Islamic Religious Council ready to assist,' he said. On another matter, Mohd Fared said Johor has received full backing from the Rubber Industry Smallholders Development Authority (Risda) to push the PKHNJ forward. He highlighted Risda's expertise in halal Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) as a key area of collaboration. 'The halal industry offers vast job opportunities for the Johor people, with graduates from halal-related institutions benefiting from better career pathways through the implementation of PKHNJ,' he said.
Barnama
27-06-2025
- Business
- Barnama
Risda Carnival Targets 10,000 Visitors, Highlights Over 60 Local Delicacies
KUALA LUMPUR, June 27 (Bernama) -- The Rasa Asli Desa Risda Carnival 2025, which runs from today until June 30, is expected to draw over 10,000 visitors, with the participation of 28 entrepreneurs from 13 states showcasing over 60 types of local culinary products. Deputy Minister of Rural and Regional Development (KKDW) Datuk Rubiah Wang said the ministry fully supports all proactive efforts in empowering the role of the rural community, especially the smallholder community under the Rubber Industry Smallholders Development Authority (Risda). "Programmes like this not only add value in terms of marketing and sales, but also provide a real space to strengthen brands, business matching and market network development for rural entrepreneurs," she told reporters after launching the carnival at Wangsa Walk here today. She said most entrepreneurs involved in the carnival have a monthly income of between RM5,000 and RM10,000 and such programmes have the potential to further increase their income. 'From the comments I got from entrepreneurs earlier, some have already earned more than RM1,000 to RM2,000 today, so I think the sales target of more than RM200,000 throughout the carnival can be achieved,' she added. Themed 'Rasa Tulen, Sentuhan Istimewa (Authentic Flavours, Special Touch), the carnival highlights a modern and creative approach in showcasing the traditional flavours of village cuisine from 13 states, such as 'kek lapis', 'rendang maman' and 'gulai temenung'. Meanwhile, an entrepreneur from Beaufort, Sabah, Noorazlina Saramali, 32, expressed her gratitude for the opportunity by Risda to participate in the carnival, which allows her to introduce traditional foods from the state to city dwellers. She said that among the special foods brought were 'kelupis' and 'kucong', which are synonymous with the people of Sabah and Sarawak during festive seasons and social gatherings. "Kelupis is glutinous rice cooked with coconut milk and steamed in the same way as kucong, but kucong has a peanut filling flavoured with shrimp. I want to introduce kelupis to the people of Kuala Lumpur because this food is rarely available here," she said.
New Straits Times
31-05-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Zahid: Build depot to boost rubber production in Sarawak
SERIAN: Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has called on the Rubber Industry Smallholders Development Authority (Risda) to build a high performance depot in Sarawak, as soon as possible. He said the proposed depot will be built in the Samarahan Division. He added that the depot was expected to enhance the efficiency of Sarawak's rubber supply chain, and support smallholders in marketing their products. "Currently, we plan to build two such depots in each state. In Sarawak, one will be in Samarahan, while the location for the second is yet to be determined," he told reporters, after attending the Sarawak Risda 2025 smallholders programme and Pre-Gawai Day celebration, here, today. Zahid, who is also rural and regional development minister, also highlighted that Malaysia spends RM6 billion annually on rubber imports, to meet the needs of the country's industries. He added that to reduce dependency on imports, Risda has been tasked with strengthening efforts to boost local latex production. "Currently, 87 per cent of the country's rubber output comes from smallholders, with only about 13 per cent from large plantations. This shows how heavily we rely on smallholders. "Risda is responsible for coordinating engagement sessions with smallholder associations and individual smallholders, to increase latex production," he said. At present, Sarawak has approximately 161,000ha of rubber plantations, with more than 98,000 smallholders involved in the sector.
The Star
19-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
Sabah rubber sector set for revival
Symbolic start: Ahmad Zahid at the launch of the Pekebun Kecil Makmur programme in Tenom. — Bernama KOTA KINABALU: Sabah's rubber industry is set for a revival, with efforts to transform it from a 'sunset industry' to a 'sunrise sector' with solid plans under the Rural and Regional Development Ministry. Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who also heads the ministry, said the initiative spearheaded by the Rubber Industry Smallholders Development Authority (Risda) aims to modernise the industry by establishing high-tech rubber depots, promoting value-added production, and introducing advanced tapping techniques to boost smallholder incomes and secure the sector's long-term viability. 'This is about creating a sustainable future for our smallholders. 'We want to transform the rubber industry into a sunrise sector that can generate high value, create jobs and provide long-term economic stability for Sabah,' he said at the launch of the Pekebun Kecil Makmur programme in Tenom yesterday. To ensure Sabah's smallholders have a stronger voice at the national level, Ahmad Zahid also announced the appointment of Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin as the national honorary adviser for Risda. Bung, who is also Sabah Umno chief and Kinabatangan MP, will serve as the voice for smallholders, ensuring their concerns are heard and addressed, he said. Ahmad Zahid noted that Sabah, with the largest rubber plantation area in Malaysia, covering 202,536ha or 25.69% of the country's total, should be a priority in national development plans. As part of this transformation, he proposed the construction of high-tech rubber depots in Sabah to enhance downstream activities and create new income streams for smallholders. 'These depots should be built in Sabah, and funding should not be a concern as Risda already has the necessary allocations,' he said. Ahmad Zahid also highlighted the potential of Risda Fuel, a technology that converts 1kg of scrap rubber into five litres of biodiesel. Successfully tested, he said this innovation could provide smallholders with a valuable new product line. Ahmad Zahid called for more youth involvement in the rubber sector, urging Risda to modernise production and expand training opportunities through Technical and Vocational Education and Training programmes. 'Young people should be trained, not just as tappers, but as value creators in the rubber industry,' he said. To further diversify the sector, Ahmad Zahid suggested turning Tenom into a furniture manufacturing hub, leveraging rubberwood from older trees to create high-value products. He estimated that if 40,000ha of rubber trees were replanted annually, the sector could generate up to RM9bil a year. At the event, a RM9.97mil allocation for smallholders was announced, to be managed by Keningau Risda. The funds will cover four key components: the replanting and supply programme (RM8.23mil), entrepreneurship and special programmes (RM1.2mil), the extension programme (RM206,000), and the productivity programme (RM331,000). This is part of the RM42.23mil set aside for Risda in Sabah under the national budget for 2025, aimed at boosting the overall welfare and economic resilience of smallholders across the state.
