PAPAR: Using his family secret recipe and support from various government agencies, a young entrepreneur from Kampung Biau, Bongawan, here is able to market his traditional fried sambal pickled fish which he sells to supermarkets around the state.
Ramli Patera, 30, who founded Syarikat Ma’Kalas Food, said in the beginning, he only planned to produce the pickled fish for his family and his villagers but later decided to expand his market.
When he first came up with the idea in 2013, Ramli, who was assisted by his sister and parents, faced difficulties in marketing his products in huge quantities as he had limited equipment.
However, he said the production increased drastically after his company received two frying machines worth RM10,000 from Fisheries Development Authority of Malaysia (LKIM).
"The demand for our product continued to increase but we were not able to meet the market until we got help from LKIM.
"One of the frying machines can produce Spicy pickled fish and the other, the Non-spicy flavour. Through this assistance, we are able to produce 1,000 bottles of the pickled fish a month, " he said.
Apart from LKIM, Ramli said the Sabah Industrial Development Ministry (MIDS) through the Partnership and Outsourcing Service Programme (SSO) also helped for his products to be sold in a wider market throughout Sabah.
He said since the ministry has assisted most small-and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) his product is now available in several supermarkets and leading hypermarkets in Sabah, including G-Mart, Golden Dragon City and Bataras.
"Now, Ma’Kalas Food products are sold throughout the state, not just because of my family's continuous efforts to develop the business but also beause of the assistance given to develop local entrepreneurs," he said.
Ramli's success also received the attention of the Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek and Foreign Minister and Kimanis Member of Parliament, Datuk Seri Anifah Aman last year.
Both leaders visited the company's production centre in Kampung Biau, Bongawan, last year to see its potential to be sold nationwide and internationally.
The Ma’kalas Sambal pickled fish weighing 150 gram to 200 gram comes with three types of flavour which are traditional, spicy and original which can be served for 15 people.
For his long-term plan, Ramli said his company will focus on efforts to increase production and expand his market.