In a factory located at Batang Kali, about 50 km away from the Kuala Lumpur city center, Oh Chee Keong, 52, has been stirring the gooey maltose concoction incessantly until it becomes thick. It is just one of the complicated procedures in producing traditional confectioneries named "Mua Lao" and "Lao Huei."
This year, with a much relaxed COVID-19 Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) and joining the Taobao Chinese New Year sales, Oh's Swee Len Food Industries has received overwhelming orders for "Mua Lao" and "Lao Huei."
Oh said inheriting the family business has not been easy for him.
When first being taken over, the business did not make much progress and was unstable.
Together with his wife Loh Wai Yee, Oh has taken a great effort to rebrand "Mua Lao" and "Lao Huei" crackers.
Remaining true to the handicraft tradition, the couple strives to retain the authentic tastes of the traditional confectioneries.
Bak Kut Teh is another renowned specialty of Malaysia.
It is a savory fragrant dish with pork ribs cooked with a complex broth of herbs and spices for hours and is often served with a bowl of shallot-scented rice.
It is believed that the dish was invented by the early Chinese immigrants mostly from China's Fujian Province, who largely settled in Klang, Malaysia.
Pandamaran New Village in Klang is brimmed with more than 30 Bak Kut Teh restaurants.
Standing out amongst the competitors, Samy Bak Kut Teh has become a staple breakfast spot for Klang residents.
Like many other diners, the restaurant was affected by multiple COVID-19 lockdowns last year.
To cope with the impact, the restaurant launched a self-heating Bak Kut Teh pot.
Spotting the surging trend of shopping online for Chinese New Year goods, Alibaba has collaborated with the local Selangor state government.
As a result, Swee Len Food Industries and Samy Bak Kut Teh are among the brands that are sold on Alibaba's Taobao.
The selected Good New Village Products being marketed on Taobao have received overwhelming support, with a sell-out rate at 90 percent during the five-day Chinese New Year sales.
Produced by Xinhua Global Service
