04/08/2026

BIZ & FINANCE TUESDAY | AUG 4, 2026

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Maker Recipe to strengthen local footing, then go global

JITRA: Local spice producer Maker Recipe Sdn Bhd plans to go global with its traditional spice brand, Cap O, within the next three years with an investment of RM1.7 million. Its CEO, Aimi Syairah Md Zin, said the investment will increase its production capacity and strengthen certification, research, digitalisation and branding, ensuring the company is prepared before commencing exports. The company’s strategy is to build a solid domestic foundation to enable the brand to compete sustainably on the global stage without compromising on product quality or supply capabilities, she said. “We do not want to venture abroad unprepared. When Cap O enters the global market, we want to be ready – from production capacity and certification to the supply chain,” she said at Maker Recipe’s headquarters in the Bandar Baru Darulaman Industrial Area here recently. According to her, RM700,000 of the investment will be used to upgrade production machinery and RM500,000 to improve factory facilities. The remainder will be allocated for research laboratory development, digital marketing, branding, and export preparations. Aimi Syairah said the company’s factory, which produces about 80 tonnes of spices every month currently, has reached its capacity limit. Additional new machinery is expected to enable the company to meet rising demand while supporting its export plans. She said Maker Recipe has established its own research laboratory in collaboration with Universiti Malaysia Perlis to test every product formulation before launch to ensure consistency. This includes adjusting raw material usage without altering the recipe’s original taste. Cap O’s core strength lies in its traditional Malay recipes handed down over more than two decades. This will be preserved even as the company leverages modern technology and innovation in its production processes. “Consumers still seek authentic flavours and heritage. That is why we combine food science with traditional recipes, ensuring that every Cap O product delivers the same taste,” she said. To strengthen its competitiveness, Maker foundation to enable its brand, Cap O, to compete sustainably on international stage o Spice producer plans to build solid domestic

Anuar Ismail takes over as group CEO of Bintulu Port from Aug 17 KUALA LUMPUR: Bintulu Port Holdings Bhd has appointed Anuar Ismail ( pic ) as its group CEO, effective Aug 17, succeeding Datuk Ruslan Abdul Ghani, who will relinquish the post following his appointment to another Sarawak government-linked company. In a Bursa Malaysia filing yesterday, the company said Anuar, who holds a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from Case Western Reserve University, the United States, has extensive experience in the oil and gas industry. His extensive career with Petroliam Nasional Bhd (Petronas) includes serving as head of state relations (senior general manager) under group strategic relations and communications, and as head of integrated hydrocarbon management (senior general manager) at Malaysia Petroleum Management. He also served as head of Sarawak assets (senior general manager) at Petronas Carigali Sdn Bhd, and chairman and country head (senior general manager) of Petronas South Sudan. Meanwhile, the company said Ruslan joined Bintulu Port on Sept 1, 2022, first as group chief executive designate for six months, before assuming the role of group CEO on March 1, 2023. Following an organisational restructuring, he then assumed the expanded role of president and group chief executive officer on Dec 1, 2024. Ruslan began his career with Petronas Carigali Sdn Bhd in 1990 and served Petronas for 32 years until his retirement in July 2022, holding various senior leadership positions across Malaysia’s upstream operations. – Bernama SunCon bags KUALA LUMPUR: Sunway Construction Group Bhd’s (SunCon) wholly owned subsidiary, Sunway Construction Sdn Bhd, has accepted a letter of award from a multinational technology corporation headquartered in the United States for the mechanical, electrical and plumbing fit-out works for a data centre development in Johor worth RM1.02 billion. In a filing with Bursa Malaysia, the company said the work is targeted to be completed by the fourth quarter of 2027. The contract is expected to contribute positively to SunCon Group’s earnings for the financial year ending Dec 31 2026, onwards. As of yesterday, SunCon Group has secured RM5.8 billion in new orders during the current financial year, including this contract. Its total outstanding order book currently stands at RM10.4 billion. – Bernama RM1.02 billion data centre job

Aimi Syairah says Maker Recipe has established its own research laboratory in collaboration with Universiti Malaysia Perlis to test every product formulation before launch to ensure consistency. – BERNAMAPIC

Cap O is marketed at over 3,600 outlets nationwide currently. It began as a small enterprise founded by Che Olah. It was later acquired, along with its heirloom recipes, by the family behind Maker Recipe, who saw its expansion potential. Aimi Syairah noted that the company has received interest from several Middle Eastern countries, including Saudi Arabia. Its current priority, however, is to secure international certification and to strengthen its position locally. “Our strategy is to become a leader in the local market before venturing overseas. Our goal is not merely to export spices, but to share the heritage of traditional Malay recipes globally,” she said. – Bernama

Recipe is also accelerating its digital transformation by adopting an integrated management system that connects operations across Jitra, Bukit Kayu Hitam, Ipoh, Pagoh, and Rawang. At the same time, it will utilise technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), real-time inventory systems, Google Analytics, and GPS based delivery scheduling to enhance operational efficiency. The company has also established a digital marketing department to expand the brand’s reach, particularly among the younger generation, while leveraging social media to build closer relationships with consumers and gain insights into current market trends, she said.

Foreign investors back to net buying with RM11.1m KUALA LUMPUR: Foreign investors returned to net buying after the previous week of net selling, recording RM11.1 million in net inflow, MBSB Investment Bank Bhd (MBSB IB) said. inflows from foreign institutions were financial services (RM216.5 million), followed by healthcare (RM148 million) and transportation and logistics (RM107.4 million). MBSB IB said local institutions returned to net buying after a three-week streak of netselling, recording RM48.1 million in net inflow.

“Retailers reverted to net-selling after the previous week’s net buying, recording net outflows of -RM59.1 million,” it said. The investment bank also said average daily trading volume increased across the board, with the average daily trading volumes of foreign and local institutions rising 29.9% and 3.6%, respectively, while that of retailers declined 5.6%. – Bernama

“However, foreign outflows were recorded on Tuesday at -RM167.8 million and Wednesday (- RM29 million), with Tuesday registering the largest daily net outflow. “The top three sectors that recorded net foreign outflows were industrial products and services (-RM191.7 million), technology (-RM164 million), and plantation (-RM32.8 million),” it said.

In its weekly Fund Flow Report, the investment bank said foreign institutions were net buyers on three out of five trading days during the week, with the largest inflow recorded on Friday at RM131.5 million, followed by Thursday (RM76.2 million) and Monday (RM200,000). It said the top three sectors that recorded net