Johor Baru business owners are all smiles with return of Singaporean customers

• Published date: 28 May 2022
• Publication title: Malay Mail Online

Like many entrepreneurs in Malaysia, Mohamad Ridwan Mustafa breathed a huge sigh of relief when the country started to transition into the endemic stage from April 1. He had been struggling to keep his restaurant business in Taman Universiti, near here, afloat the past two years.

'It was such a tough time for me and my family... we tried all sorts of things including home deliveries and different operation hours. The business was struggling but I just couldn't give up as it's the only thing that helps to take care of my family.

'Alhamdullilah (thank God), we managed to overcome this big hurdle of lockdowns as well as restrictions and can now look forward to improving the business,' added Mohamad Ridwan when met at his Dapur 3 Dara restaurant.

Right now, the 36-year-old runs the restaurant with his wife Mustika Mohd Rani. They are helped by his sister and one other staff member.

He now helms the kitchen after his chef left but he is optimistic that business will improve with the reopening of the Johor-Singapore land borders.

'It was the second week after the April 1 announcement that Singapore customers started coming in. For me, that was a good sign and hopefully we can fully return to the pre-pandemic days,' he said.

Mohamad Ridwan had quit his full-time job as a pest control technician back in 2020 to fully concentrate on his food business which he first started as a side venture.

A Singaporean favourite in JB

Another business that has been reporting brisk sales since the border reopening is the famous Hiap Joo Bakery on Jalan Tan Hiok Nee.

The small century-old bakery is famous for its banana loaf cakes which have been a perennial favourite of Singaporean customers.

Hiap Joo Bakery's co-proprietor James Lim said since the reopening of the border, sales has been very good.

At present, he said the bakery has maximised its output to 10,000 loaves a day.

'Such is the demand for our banana loaf cakes where a bulk of it is bought by Singaporean customers. Even this isn't enough... the output figure is more than before the MCO where we only maximised our banana loaf cakes to 7,000 a day,' said Lim, referring to the movement control order or lockdown.

Lim also pointed out that Hiap Joo just revised their price list in February and the banana loaf cake is now selling at 20 per cent more.

He said even with the new price of RM12, the banana loaf cake is still popular with both Malaysians and Singaporeans.

However, Lim thinks the sudden spike in sales is just for the short term...