YOUNG PWD ENTREPRENEUR FINDS SUCCESS WITH MOTHER'S PEKASAM RECIPE

By Sarinah Mat Kasim

PORT DICKSON, 13 Nov ( Bernama) -- Langkah berani seorang pemuda orang kurang upaya (OKU) di sini menceburi perniagaan hampir 10 tahun lepas dengan tekad untuk tidak hanya bergantung kepada bantuan bulanan Jabatan Kebajikan Masyarakat (JKM), ternyata membuahkan hasil.

PORT DICKSON, Nov 10 (Bernama) -- With RM350 from the Social Welfare Department (JKM), Mohd Alias Abu Bakar, a person with disabilities (PwD), took a bold step by launching his line of pekasam (fermented food) products, using his mother’s traditional recipe.

Starting his business in 2015 by selling products under the brand name “Alias Pekasam” by the roadside, the 34-year-old entrepreneur is now able to rent a stall from the Port Dickson Municipal Council.

He sells various types of fermented food products including fish, meat and squid eggs, with prices ranging from RM13 to RM16 per packet.

His business has since grown, recording a net profit of nearly RM7,000 annually.

“Alhamdulillah, with experience and my mother’s traditional recipe, our pekasam products sell out quickly at the stall and on e-commerce platforms. My products are also available at the Halal Valet in Johor Bahru, and I am now working on selling through TikTok,” he told Bernama recently.

Mohd Alias’ dedication to managing costs and developing effective marketing strategies demonstrates his strong determination to succeed. The support from various government agencies has further enhanced the competitiveness of his micro-enterprise

A native of Port Dickson, Mohd Alias expressed gratitude for the various government assistance that has facilitated his business operations, including a one-off Bantuan Geran Pelancaran (BGP) of RM2,700 through JKM’s 2YEP programme, along with a loan from Majlis Amanah Rakyat (MARA).

“I hope to one day sell my products in supermarkets nationwide. Nevertheless, I’m grateful that my products are well-received and a sell-out whenever I participate in sales events,” he added.

Mohd Alias shared that he learned to make the “pekasam” from his mother when he was 10 years old.

“Our family has been making pekasam since my late grandfather’s time. Back then, my grandfather and mother sold pekasam in jars, but I have given them a fresh look with modern packaging,” he said.

Mohd Alias became a PwD following an accident when he was 17 years old, which resulted in a fractured skull and affected the left side of his body.

His resilience exemplifies that success is attainable for anyone who dares to pursue their dreams with courage, regardless of any personal limitations they may face.

-- BERNAMA