Local pride: Fuziah (left) launching the Kempen Beli Barangan Malaysia: Bangga Buatan Lokal at Mydin Mall. Also present is Ameer Ali (second from right). — SAMUEL ONG/The Star
Spotlight on homegrown items in Mydin campaign
PETALING JAYA: A dozen local entrepreneurs have received a significant boost from Mydin Mohamed Holdings Bhd as they join the hypermarket’s “Bangga Buatan Lokal” campaign, aimed at promoting Malaysian-made products.
As part of the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry’s Buy Malaysian Products initiative, the campaign will showcase a wide range of handmade local products, including local crafts, as well as popular snacks such as pani puri, kek lapis and rempeyek, and everyday ingredients like home-made pre-packed sambal.
Until this Sunday, visitors can explore and purchase these homegrown products at dedicated booths in Mydin Subang Jaya.Aspiring entrepreneurs will also have the chance to attend the “Bangga Buatan Lokal” Entrepreneurship Seminar today.
During the seminar, successful entrepreneurs will share their knowledge and insights into navigating the business landscape.
Deputy Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Fuziah Salleh praised the campaign as a valuable effort to increase the availability and accessibility of Malaysian-made products in local markets.
She thanked Mydin for its support of local entrepreneurs, calling the initiative a vital step toward expanding Malaysian brands internationally.
“Many of our micro-businesses struggle to expand beyond Malaysia. Mydin’s campaign and other similar initiatives are essential for equipping these businesses with the knowledge and experience needed to grow.
“Going forward, we at the ministry are looking to help expand programmes like this to a larger stage and involve more local micro and small businesses.
“We hope that Mydin can continue its support in this regard and of other ministry programmes as it has done over the last 30 years,” she said at the campaign’s launch yesterday.
Fuziah added that her ministry plans to focus its efforts in the coming year on helping small local brands expand overseas.
This will include providing opportunities for business matching and helping small businesses meet the necessary requirements to have their products featured on hypermarket shelves.
Mydin managing director Datuk Ameer Ali Mydin also shared his thoughts on expanding local products, suggesting that government agencies and departments be made to use local products in their programmes.
“The government, companies and NGOs should support local products by choosing their goods first for aid programmes such as food box donations.
“This support will not only stimulate the spirit of entrepreneurs to continue trading but also help spread more awareness of their products to the people. If we don’t support them, who will?” he said in his speech.
Ameer also encouraged local entrepreneurs to actively seek training and guidance from available government and corporate programmes to remain competitive.
“A wait-and-see attitude will not get your business anywhere. You need to learn how to be confident in the value you bring to the market; only then will people have confidence in you.”
The ceremony also included the presentation of Mydin Prihatin “Hulurkan Tangan” contributions to Menu Rahmah traders in Selangor, each receiving RM500 worth of store vouchers.
The event featured a special performance by popular local artist Ayu Damit, who delivered her new single Di Mata Dunia – a song with patriotic lyrics and traditional musical beats blended with a modern twist.
The song will also become Mydin’s new corporate anthem.
