Small Snack Business Wins Big With SejaTi MADANI Award In Perak

IPOH, May 24 (Bernama) -- A community-run snack business in Kuala Kangsar, led by a group of women, has claimed the 2024 Sejati Madani Award for Perak, just months after its launch.

The Village Development and Security Committee (JPKK) of Kampung Jaya Setia received the state-level honour along with a RM100,000 infrastructure grant and a trophy, presented by Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad.

The enterprise, JS Licious, began operations last November under the Sejahtera Komuniti Madani (Sejati Madani) programme. It is now managed by 15 women, many of them housewives and single mothers, producing a variety of traditional snacks.

“Among the favourites are pumpkin chips, ginger crisps, green pea crackers and kuih tiram,” said JPKK chairperson Ebby Shaifullah Yussof.

Speaking to reporters at the awards ceremony here today, he said the team plans to use the funds to upgrade their workshop and secure full halal certification for their products.

JS Licious currently brings in about RM6,000 in monthly revenue, with earnings rising to RM11,000 during festive seasons.

What began as a small local effort has since expanded beyond Perak. Their snacks are now sold nationwide, including in Kelantan, Melaka and Johor, via online platforms such as TikTok Shop and Shopee.

“We’re very grateful for this recognition and would like to thank the state government, the district office and the local village head for their support,” said Ebby.

The Sejati Madani initiative, part of the Unity Government’s push to stimulate local economies, awards eligible communities between RM50,000 and RM100,000 to support grassroots enterprises.

In his 2025 Budget speech, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced a RM1 billion allocation for the programme, which supports initiatives in agriculture and food, tailoring and crafts, herbs and wellness, tourism and hospitality, as well as environmental activities such as recycling.

-- BERNAMA