MELAKA: A pair of cousins from Melaka Pindah here are continuing their family's tradition of preparing ‘bahulu’, a traditional delicacy often enjoyed during the Hari Raya season.
18-year-old Muhammad Najmi Amzairy and Arif Fathilah Othman, 28, have taken on the responsibility of supplying this must-have crispy treat introduced 24 years ago by their father.
Talking to The Star, Muhammad Najmi shared that he and his cousin were determined to carry on the business after the passing of his father in 2021.
"After completing my formal education this year, I chose to take on the responsibility of running the family business with my cousin.
"Both of us are now working together to ensure that our family's legacy lives on," said the 18-year-old on Thursday (March 20).
He said his late father supported his family by selling bahulu and he felt compelled to continue the business with the help of his cousin.
"Letting this business fade away would be a great loss, especially since we already have all the necessary equipment in our workshop, and I have personally learned this skill from my late father," he said.
Muhammad Najmi said as the Hari Raya festive approaches, demand for their bahulu doubles, providing an opportunity for both of them to generate additional income.
"To make their bahulu more accessible, we have kept their prices lower than the market rate," he said.
At present, the cousins only produce the original flavour, but they plan to introduce new varieties such as coffee, pandan, and strawberry ingredients in the future.
Currently, they can produce around 1,000 pieces of bahulu per day.
"This business is more than just a source of income—it is a family legacy that must be preserved for future generations," Muhammad Najmi added.
