Compiled by HO JIA WEN, C. ARUNO and R. ARAVINTHAN
AFTER learning to make charcoal briquettes from YouTube, a 32-year-old businessman is processing a tonne of briquettes every month to meet high customer demand.
Based in Bukit Tiu, Machang in Kelantan, Nik Zaki Alhadi Nik Mustapa says he processes the charcoal briquettes everyday with the help of two workers, BH Ahad reported.
The process starts with sourcing coconut shells, which he buys from coconut milk shops in Machang, Kuala Krai, Kota Baru and Pasir Puteh.
He then transports the shells to a burner in Bachok, where they are burned in an open area to avoid causing any air pollution.
“I pay the coconut shell burner RM1 per kg. I bring a maximum of 200kg per week,” he said.
After the shells are burnt, he brings it to his workshop at Bukit Tiu where it is are crushed into powder.
The powdered shells are then dissolved in water and starch before they are shaped into charcoal briquettes, which are then placed out to dry.
“The drying process takes quite a long time because it is done manually and is dependent on the weather,” he added.
Nik Zaki Alhadi said the demand for charcoal briquettes is double during Ramadan and other festive seasons.
> Actress Nadia Brian denied being in a relationship with married co-star Fadlan Hazim, Mingguan Malaysia reported.
Both actors star in Bila Takdir Melarang Cinta. Nadia has firmly maintained that the two are strictly colleagues.
“In this industry, rumours spread quickly. It’s funny how my name and Fadlan’s got linked to this. We’re just acting in a new drama. If anyone is associating my name with this, it’s slander and 100% untrue,” she said.
The above articles are compiled from the vernacular newspapers (Bahasa Malaysia, Chinese and Tamil dailies). As such, stories are grouped according to the respective language/medium. Where a paragraph begins with a >, it denotes a separate news item.
