BY ESZRYEEN KRIS
KUCHING: A joint venture initiative has set the ball rolling on the establishment of Gardenia Bakeries (Sarawak) Sdn Bhd in the state.
A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to put this into effect was signed here Monday (July 13) between Kim Teck Cheong Consolidated Berhad (KTC), through its subsidiary Gardenia and Sanjung Etika Sdn Bhd, a subsidiary of Yayasan Sarawak, and the Sarawak government.
The joint venture aims to combine Gardenia’s manufacturing expertise with Yayasan Sarawak’s human capital and community development initiatives to establish a modern bakery facility in Sarawak.
Under the agreement, KTC has committed an initial investment of RM30 million and applied for a 7.56-acre site from the Sarawak government to build the Gardenia bread manufacturing plant, which is expected to create 500 job opportunities for local graduates and skilled workers.
The parties are expected to proceed with the Joint Venture (JV) Agreement and Shareholders’ Agreement within the next three months to formalise the establishment and operations of the company.
Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Prof Dr Sim Kui Hian, who witnessed the MoU signing welcomed Gardenia’s decision to establish its presence in Sarawak, describing it as a reflection of investors’ confidence in the state’s workforce and business environment.
“Gardenia’s investment would also enhance Sarawak’s appeal as a destination for businesses and investors, who often consider factors such as healthcare facilities, international schools and quality of life,” he said.
The MoU was signed by Kim Teck Cheong Consolidated Berhad Group Managing Director Datuk Lau Kok Sing and Sanjung Etika Sdn Bhd Director Datuk Hatta Solhi.
Dr Sim added that Gardenia products manufactured in Sarawak would feature a special packaging edition with yellow, red and black colours, distinguishing it from the usual blue packaging available elsewhere in Malaysia.
Meanwhile, Sanjung Etika chairman Datuk Dr Mohamad Junaidi said the collaboration reflected a shared commitment to advancing Sarawak’s economic transformation through strategic public-private partnerships.
He said the joint venture would establish a competitive and halal-certified bakery manufacturing enterprise, strengthening local supply chains, encouraging innovation and supporting the growth of Sarawak’s food manufacturing sector.
The partnership would also focus on talent development through internships, industrial training, knowledge transfer and skills enhancement to develop a future-ready workforce, he added.
KTC executive director Datuk Dexter Lau said the company currently employs 400 Sarawakians, representing 32.5 per cent of its total workforce, after starting operations in the state 10 years ago with no employees.
He said the achievement reflected Sarawak’s strong human capital development, education system and supportive business environment.
Lau added that KTC’s total investment in Sarawak had reached RM300 million, generating an annual return of RM400 million, with assets, operations and trade management valued at RM140 million.
He said the new bakery facility would further strengthen the company’s manufacturing and supply chain operations in Sarawak.
KTC currently records a group turnover of RM1.3 billion annually and employs about 1,500 workers across Malaysia and the region, he added.
