SEJATI MADANI LIFTS KG HILIRAN JEJAWI’S ECONOMY; SANTAN, KERISIK SALES HIT RM40,000 A MONTH

By Balqis Jamaludin

KUALA TERENGGANU, Nov 14 (Bernama) -- The efforts of a group of Kampung Hiliran Jejawi villagers who run a ‘santan’ (coconut milk) and ‘kerisik’ (toasted grated coconut paste) business under the Sejati MADANI initiative have borne fruit, with the group recording monthly sales of up to RM40,000.

Kampung Hiliran Jejawi Federal Village Development and Security Committee (JPKKP) chairman Nor Azman Md Nor said the coconut milk and kerisik business was started by him as the project leader, together with three other participants, in November last year, using an RM82,000 grant provided by the federal government through the Sejati MADANI initiative.

He said the group chose to venture into the coconut milk and kerisik business because the two coconut-based cooking ingredients are consistently in high demand, regardless of time or season.

“I see the coconut milk and kerisik business as low-risk because people use these ingredients - especially coconut milk - throughout the year. Even more so during festive seasons. That is why during the fasting month and Aidilfitri, we recorded sales of up to RM40,000.

“In addition, we also supply grated coconut, particularly during the monsoon season, to traditional food entrepreneurs who make ubi tonyoh, a delicacy available only during the rainy season,” he said when met by Bernama at the shop, Kedai Santan & Kerisik Lerang Jawi, here.

The success of the villagers’ coconut milk and kerisik enterprise also caught the attention of Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, to the point that the Prime Minister highlighted the project during the tabling of Budget 2026 in Parliament last month.

Nor Azman said the RM82,000 grant received through the Sejati MADANI initiative was fully utilised, including for the purchase of a coconut grating machine, a coconut milk extractor and other essential equipment, as well as for the upkeep of the premises - a roadside shop near Kampung Hiliran Jejawi rented at RM400 per month.

He said that every day they manage to produce and sell nearly 100 kilogrammes of coconut milk and kerisik, using between 1,000 and 2,000 coconuts delivered by suppliers every three to four days.

“In addition to sourcing coconuts from local suppliers, we also have to purchase coconuts from Indonesia because the local supply is often insufficient. One of the reasons is that many local coconuts are bought by young coconut water sellers, so the coconuts do not have enough time to mature for producing coconut milk and kerisik,” he explained.

He added that the encouraging sales have enabled the three other participants involved in the business - all of whom are women, including single mothers - to earn an income of around RM900 per month.

In addition, he said that during festive seasons, they employ about 10 additional villagers as temporary workers to meet the surge in demand for coconut milk and kerisik.

Nor Azman expressed gratitude that the project has not only benefited the residents directly involved but has also contributed to the wider village community through various social responsibility programmes and activities.

“Alhamdulillah, through the Sejati MADANI initiative, we are able to channel our profits to help residents in need, such as providing beds and wheelchairs for the elderly and financial assistance for those requiring medical treatment. For the younger generation, we also organise various activities, including bowling competitions and others.

“That’s not all. We also use income from the sale of coconut milk and kerisik to repair damaged village roads and to assist residents affected by floods during the past monsoon season. When we have our own funds, we can also repair village infrastructure or carry out programmes without having to wait for government allocations,” he said.

He said the group also plans to open a branch of the Kedai Santan & Kerisik Lerang Jawi in a residential area near Kuala Terengganu city to increase profits, which can then be channelled back to benefit the villagers.

Meanwhile, one of the project participants, Siti Rohaya Derahman, 53, said that after spending many years as a housewife, she is grateful to now earn RM900 a month and help ease the burden on her husband, Wan Zaidi Wan Sulung, 56, who works as a fish deliveryman with an uncertain income.

“I have two daughters in Form Two and Year Four, so by working here, I can help support our family’s finances and ensure my children can go to school,” said the mother of six, aged between 30 and 10.

-- BERNAMA