Participants of the First Cohort Entrepreneurship Skills Programme for Year 2025 signed their letters of acceptance at a ceremony following the programme’s official launch at the PGGMB building in the capital yesterday.
Among them was 45-year-old Masrinawati binti Haji Abu Bakar from Kampong Mengkubau, a full-time housewife and home-based seller who bakes cakes and biscuits for festive orders. With her selection for the programme, she now hopes to expand her business into a sustainable daily income source, easing her husband’s financial burden while supporting their four school-going children.
Grateful for the opportunity, Masrinawati is eager to enhance her business knowledge, particularly in managing profits and marketing strategies.
“I am really thankful to be selected. This programme will help us improve our livelihood and financial stability. Where there is a will, there is a way. I will not waste this opportunity and will work hard to upgrade my skills to meet future demand,” she said.
Meanwhile, 32-year-old Mohamad Zulhilmi bin Ajak, comes from an underprivileged background and hopes to establish his own business upon completing the six-month training programme. Currently employed in the private sector, he believes the initiative will help young people achieve financial independence.
“I am truly grateful to be selected. This platform will guide us in starting our own businesses, and with the right product, it can benefit us in many ways,” he said.
For now, Zulhilmi is focused on expanding his mother’s prawn cracker business, with aspirations to penetrate the regional market. He remains open to exploring other ventures if needed.
For Pengiran Noraini binti Pengiran Sabli, selection for the programme was the result of a decade-long wait. The over-50-year-old entrepreneur has long dreamt of growing her banana chip business, which she started by selling pisang otel to local sundry shops.
“When I got the call saying I was selected, I was overjoyed. My prayers have been answered. Now, I can finally expand my business, and hopefully, one day, I’ll have my own shop or a high-demand product, Insya Allah,” she shared.
Since 2010, Pengiran Noraini had applied for assistance under the Pengupayaan Asnaf Zakat (PROPAZ) programme. Over time, her business grew from supplying five shops to over 40 across the country. With this programme, she plans to introduce another variety, pisang saba, as banana crackers.
“At my age, learning new skills is a challenge, but I won’t let that stop me. I will push forward,” she said. – Lyna Mohamad
