Raya cookie-maker battling challenges
KUALA TERENGGANU: The cancellation of orders for 600 jars of Hari Raya Aidilfitri cookies is among the many challenges faced by kuih raya entrepreneur Munirah Mansor during the Movement Control Order (MCO) period.
The 31-year-old, who is the founder of “Cookies dan Popia Cik Mun Kudapan Gila Bayang” said the Covid-19 pandemic was the biggest challenge she had faced in her five years of business.
Apart from order cancellations, the mother of three said she also had to cope with difficulties in sourcing for supplies since the MCO began on March 18.
Munirah said when orders initially opened in January, she had an initial order of 2,500 jars of Raya cookies. This eventually dwindled to 1,900 jars.
“Every year, I take in orders early for Raya with the help of three assistants before the cookies are made and distributed to clients, agents and stockists.
“However, the cancellations began coming in as clients could not go back for Raya, and are hard-hit financially.
“It’s sad but I accept that no one is spared from the effects of the MCO.
“I see this is as a test during this holy month,” she said when met at her home in Kampung Gong Pauh, here.
However, she now faces manpower problems as her assistants’ movements have been limited during the MCO, leaving her to bake mostly alone.
“I work from 8am to 6pm daily to prepare nine types of kuih raya.
“These include chocolate chip, pineapple and blueberry tarts, semperit as well as almond chip.
“Due to the MCO, my children are home so that has also hampered my working process somewhat,” said Munirah, who said this meant she could only complete 20 jars daily instead of the usual 50.