Compiled by C. ARUNO, TEH ATHIRA YUSOF and R. ARAVINTHAN
A TRADER selling plants in Kuantan, Pahang did not expect that ornamental pineapple plants or bromeliads would become her main source of income generating up to RM100,000 a month.
Norhasnida Arifin shared with Utusan Malaysia that she opted to cultivate the bromeliads as the plants are easy to maintain and affordable to cultivate.
The 35-year-old said the ornamental plants do not require fertilisation and can survive up to two weeks without water.
“I started focusing on bromeliad cultivation after a regular customer introduced me to this plant.
“From there, I began not only collecting it for myself but also selling it.
“Now, I supply bromeliads to nurseries across the country.
“My supply source comes from Thailand, and with these sales, I have managed to reach a monthly revenue of up to RM100,000,” she said.
Norhasnida, who mainly operates her business online, said she sells the Neoregelia species of bromeliads because they are more affordable, starting at just RM10 per plant, depending on the size.
“I am also currently propagating the vriesea species, which originates from Australia,” she said, adding that vriesea bromeliads can sell for up to RM1,000.
> The anticipated rise in gold prices, which could reach RM500 per gramme by the end of next year, saw a jump in demand for the precious metal including in rural areas of Kedah, Sinar Harian reported.
Tun Emas Jewellery Sdn Bhd owner Ku Mohd Fikri Hanif said customers have been coming to his shop daily due to speculation that gold prices might increase by next year.
He said the US presidential election and the Middle East conflict have influenced the surge in gold prices to a record high since last week.
He added that Malaysia’s BRICS partnership has also contributed to the price jump, with rates hitting RM372 per gramme on Oct 31.
Ku Mohd Fikri added that another factor influencing gold purchases is the possible 30% increase in jewellery manufacturing fees next year.
“At the end of each year, manufacturing costs tend to increase; for example, this year, the fee is RM100, but it will rise by 30% next year,” he said.
In rural areas, particularly in Kuala Nerang, Ku Mohd Fikri said business is steady even if there are no purchases with people still coming to trade in old gold.
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.
