RHB Bank Bhd’s group community banking managing director Jeffrey Ng Eow Oo (fifth from left), group chief marketing officer Abdul Sani Abdul Munad (fourth from left) and their team with awardees of the SOBA Mikro Recognition Award 2024 (from sixth left to far right) Muhammad Zamzum, Mohd Shafiq, Mariam, Adreena and Muhammad Zulkhairi, at the 15th Star Outstanding Business Awards (SOBA) Gala Night at One World Hotel, Petaling Jaya.— YAP CHEE HONG/The Star.
Microenterprises are the heartbeat of Malaysia’s economy, making up 70.1% (about 762,000 firms) out of a total of 917,070 micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) nationwide.
While they often face challenges such as rising costs, tighter cash flow and fast-changing consumer trends, many continue to show remarkable adaptability and resilience.
Against this backdrop, five microenterprises were celebrated for their achievements as recipients of the Star Outstanding Business Awards (SOBA) Mikro Recognition Award on Feb 26, at the SOBA 2024 Gala Night.
The award shines a spotlight on noteworthy microenterprises that have displayed strong potential for growth and success – underscoring the vital role MSMEs play in creating jobs, driving innovation, and supporting Malaysia’s economic resilience.
Misscreative Enterprise
Award recipient Adreena Sofia Seliman Hamzah is the founder of Misscreative Enterprise, which specialises in brownies and soft cookies, supplying to cafes, vending machines and resellers.
Establishing her business in 2017, she initially offered a variety of desserts, cakes, cookies, fondant cakes, wedding cakes, cupcakes, among others.
“As the business grew, I realised the importance of streamlining our offerings to improve food control and overhead costs. This led us to focus on a smaller range of high-demand products, which has been key to our growth.”
In addition to her husband, who manages the business full-time, and herself, she also has three part-time staff at a baking studio in the heart of Kuala Lumpur.
Approximately 80% of her customers are working mothers.
She said RHB Bank
played a significant role in helping her expand her network and build connections.
“Through the RHB #JomBiz programme, I’ve met entrepreneurs from diverse industries and gained valuable training that has helped me refine my business strategies,” she said.
She also had the opportunity to participate in occasional bazaars at RHB Centre, thanks to the support of the bank, which enabled her to meet new customers, secure additional orders and strengthen existing relationships.
“That exposure not only boosted my sales but also gave me deeper insights into customer behaviour, helping me shape the future direction of my brand.”
Afma Sdn Bhd
Mariam Solehah Mat Sidi, the founder of Afma Sdn Bhd in Marang, Terengganu, had to pivot away her original business of supplying premium beef cuts, which she started in August 2021 during the pandemic, due to challenges in supply.
She now concentrates on more customer-focused beef-based products, such as beef jerky and her upcoming product – beef tallow.
Inspired by her husband’s passion for the beef business, she transitioned into the beef supply industry when her fashion venture began to wane.
After registering her company, she successfully expanded her team to seven members.
“However, after closing our physical store, we scaled back operations and are now back to [us both]. We are determined to export Malaysian-made beef products and share them with the world.
“For our current beef jerky range, the target customers are active individuals who enjoy travelling, hiking and healthy snacking.
“Meanwhile, our upcoming beef tallow product will focus on consumers who appreciate natural, chemical-free snacking.”
Together with her husband as her business partner, Mariam turned setbacks into stepping stones, choosing instead to adapt and grow.
Through the RHB #JomBiz programme, Mariam has learnt to manage her finances in a more structured and effective way.
She added that RHB also supported her participation in the Franchise Expo Malaysia, where she met potential business to business (B2B) partners and learnt the dynamics of that segment.
Zamzum Global
Zamzum Global founder Muhammad Zamzum Zuhairi, whose company specialises in premium cooking pastes, had envisioned his company back in 2018, although he only officially launched it in 2023.
“We used the time to refine our products through continuous research and development, guided by constructive customer feedback,” said Zamzum.
“We wanted to make quality cooking products more accessible while also creating income opportunities through entrepreneurship. Most importantly, we wanted to support women balancing careers and family – those who want to prepare delicious meals but don’t always have the time.”
He said he also aimed the product to assist hotel chefs, restaurants and cafés to maintain consistency in their taste and quality.
Today, Zamzum Global offers 16 types of pastes, including rendang, asam pedas, fish curry, oden, and sambal, as well as its latest signature product, the Pineapple Sambal Penyet. The company operates online, from a store in Kampung Pulau Labu, Negri Sembilan, and through its new office in Nilai.
He said the RHB #JomBiz programme has assisted with seed funding to purchase raw materials and machinery, which boosts both product quality and production efficiency.
RHB also provided indispensable training on marketing strategies, operational management and research and development.
“Thanks to this support, our products have reached as far as Russia and the United Kingdom.”
AtThahiri Trading
AtThahiri Trading founder Muhammad Zulkhairi started his F&B business in the light snack category with TIENYHERRY seaweed chips in January 2015.
He was inspired by the strong demand for snacks, particularly seaweed-based products, and was equally driven by his desire to create job opportunities for the local community in his village, Kampung Seri Cempaka, Pahang.
“When we started, it was just me and my wife, selling the snacks by hand at the beach.
Today, we have grown to a team of 11.”
With the main target audience being snack lovers, Zulkhairi also identified travellers and tourists as the snacks can be conveniently enjoyed anytime and anywhere.
“From humble beginnings, we have grown into a business that now supplies several retail markets, including Kedai Mesra at PETRONAS stations, PetroSains’ Gift Shop, and cafes in Kuantan. Our largest distribution is through the petrol station network, covering Johor, Kuala Lumpur, Terengganu and Pahang.”
While the company has not begun formal export operations, it has promoted its products internationally and received strong interest from markets in China, Singapore, Brunei and Vietnam.
“Through the RHB #JomBiz programme, I received valuable business training and was selected as one of the Top 30 winners nationwide. This recognition also led to my nomination and eventual SOBA Award 2024 win, which further amplified our brand credibility.”
The opportunity also gave him direct access to corporate clients.
Senju Co
Senju Co founder Mohd Shafiq Ezwanie Jafri runs a pastry and bakery business with products that are sold through a vending machine, while also supplying to the government and private sectors on consignment.
“We started the business in 2022, operating out of our home, selling primarily to friends and family. The initial first few orders among friends and family allowed us to refine our products before stepping into the market.”
“We currently have a team of five, including myself, that’s based in Kota Samarahan, Sarawak. Our range of products includes pastries, cream-based items and pies, which we bake almost daily.”
His main targets are B2B clients, including consignment partners, university students and working adults.
“One of our biggest milestones was placing a vending machine at UiTM Kota Samarahan, conveniently located near our production area.”
Shafiq said the RHB #JomBiz programme has helped him connect with many successful entrepreneurs and equipped him with financial literacy skills crucial as a small business owner.
“The training was empowering, and I’m truly grateful for the opportunity. Although I’m from Sarawak, I was willing to fly to Kuala Lumpur to attend the physical classes because the knowledge gained was worth every mile.”
These winners reflect the grit and adaptability of Malaysia’s microenterprises – proving that with the right support and determination, even the smallest businesses can make a big impact.
Through initiatives such as RHB #JomBiz, the bank continues to empower microentrepreneurs with knowledge, networks and market access – ensuring they are not only recognised for their resilience today, but also equipped to thrive in the future.
To know more about RHB #JomBiz programme, visit rhbgroup.com/jombiz
