Marjoni Shafflan Marjohan and Nor Fariha Nur working to fill their Hari Raya orders in time.

KOTA BARU: Newly-weds Marjoni Shafflan Marjohan and Nor Fariha Nur are learning an early lesson in mutual support.

For the past week, the couple have been working flat out together to get their orders for Hari Raya cakes and cookies ready in time.

 Marjoni, 29, had left  his family's sawmill business to help his 23-year-old wife in the venture they set up about a month ago in Jalan Padang Tembak. They employ 11 workers in 8-hour shifts to help them.

"Demand has been very good. My wife and I  often have to stay up  till midnight to make sure the orders are ready. It's only a few days till Hari Raya." 

He said he is new to the baking business, but his wife of three months has been been helping an aunt with her Raya cookie business since her school days.

The husband and wife team are baking more than 10 types of cookies, including Mama Almond, London Almond, Hazelnut Balls, Fancy Cream and Star Q-rose. They cost between RM13 and RM20 for a pack of 50.

Marjoni said they had  produced more than 50,000 cookies. They have appointed more than 30 agents in government departments and agencies and in the private sector to sell their products.  

"We would have had more orders but some of  Fariha's old customers didn't realise we were operating here. We've also had some last minute cancellations.  But all in all, it's been quite good."         

Since Thursday, the enterprising couple has stopped producing cookies to concentrate on making cakes at RM30 to RM38 per kg.

Marjoni, a double degree holder, said he and his wife hoped to open a bakery and cafe by November. 

Fariha, a  Politeknik Shah Alam graduate, will receive a RM40,000 loan from Perbadanan Usahawan Nasional Bhd.

"We think the area is suitable for  a cafe as there is a big housing area and many  student hostels around."