KUCHING: This Malaysia Day, patriotism comes alive not only through public celebrations but also in the form of sweet, colourful and edible creations made in kitchens across the city.
From Royal Icing cookies to cheese tarts and Instagram-worthy cakes, the city’s homegrown bakers are turning desserts into miniature tributes to the nation.
Among them are Siti Aisyah, founder of Aisyahartiqa Enterprise, Nur Aina of Ladyaina Homebaker, and Adhar Ibrahim, founder of Abg K’ju Cake House – entrepreneurs whose desserts are capturing attention and winning over taste buds.
Royal Icing cookies that tell a story
For Siti Aisyah, Royal Icing cookies have been a decade-long passion. She began honing the craft in 2014 before officially establishing her company, Ummu Craft Cookies by Aisyahartiqa Enterprise in 2020.
“My interest led me to learn everything from YouTube, and it is passion that made it all possible.
“Since they originated in the West, there were only a few of us in the city who started doing it,” she told Sarawak Tribune.
Her National Day-themed cookies, produced consistently over the past five years, have become highly sought after during festive seasons.
The idea, she recalled, came from a customer who once asked if she made cookies themed around Independence Day.
“From there, I began exploring ideas and creating designs inspired by Malaysian culture. The designs usually include clothing like baju kurung, baju Melayu, as well as flags and official logos,” she said.
Each cookie features her signature flavour which is Butter Nestum Cookies, made with buttermilk and Nestum cereal.
“The flavour is simple, but the designs carry the message. Colour and shape are paramount,” she said.
To Siti Aisyah, baking itself is relatively quick, enabling her to produce up to 1,000 pieces in a day, if necessary, but it is the intricate decoration that sets her work apart.
On a typical day, she can complete about eight jars of decorated cookies, with each jar containing around 50 pieces.
“For door gifts, I can manage 200 to 300 pieces daily, but larger orders, such as 500 pieces, can take two to three days to complete.
“But decorating takes time and finding skilled workers is a challenge as drawing on paper is different from decorating cookies – it takes patience and practice,” she said.
Despite the challenges, the response from customers makes it all worthwhile.
Schools, teachers and semi-government events often place large orders, and the excitement from children is palpable.
“Merdeka cookies really help boost patriotic spirit, especially among children aged seven to nine.
“They get very excited about the designs. I once gave Merdeka-themed cookies to my child’s classmates, and they became even more enthusiastic about celebrating National Day.
“It brings them closer to the meaning of Merdeka, in their own special way,” she said.
Beyond design, Siti Aisyah is determined to keep her cookies affordable. Prices for door gifts start at RM1 per piece for 5-cm cookies and RM1.50 for 7-cm cookies, with a minimum order of 30 pieces.
“My focus on affordability is about making Royal Icing cookies more accessible because I want people from all walks of life to enjoy them.
“That is my motivation and spirit in doing this business. Since 2014, my aim has been for this craft to last long and for everyone from all walks of life to enjoy it. That is what matters to me,” she said.
Cheese tarts that bring Malaysians together
If cookies tell stories, then cheese tarts by Nur Aina of Ladyaina Homebaker add flavour to the celebration.
Originally from Perak and now based in Kuching, Nur Aina began baking five years ago after the COVID-19 pandemic as a way to support her family.
What started as a homemaker’s side hustle quickly grew into a beloved small business.
“Every year, there’s demand for Malaysia Day-themed desserts. Children love bringing them to school and offices order them too.
“Desserts decorated with patriotic themes help foster national identity and unity. They create a festive atmosphere, which boosts patriotism,” she said.
Her Malaysia Day creations, often adorned with miniature Jalur Gemilang designs, instantly spark patriotic joy.
Other offerings include cupcakes decorated in vibrant colours and national motifs, paired with familiar flavours such as chocolate, kiwi, mango, strawberry and blueberry.
“I keep the flavours simple because people love what they’re familiar with. What excite them most are the colours and designs. For designs, I usually use last year’s theme as a reference but adapt to the current year’s official theme.
“Themes may change and this year we made a different one. The design focuses more on the Malaysian flag,” she said.
Her pricing is accessible, with sets starting from RM33 for 16 pieces and RM53 for 25 pieces, while cupcakes are RM50 for 12 pieces.
“Some even repeat their orders every year. They love the vibrant colours, truly Malaysian,” she said.
Beyond satisfying sweet cravings, Nur Aina sees her tarts as a way of fostering unity.
“Food is loved by everyone, and when it carries patriotic designs, it becomes part of the celebration. From school children to office workers, it brings people together,” she said.
For Nur Aina, this Malaysia Day-themed dessert trend is a boon for home-based bakers, while enabling them to showcase their designs.
“It’s good for small businesses like homemakers, as it generates some income and for me as a homemaker, this count as a side income,” she said.
Flavours of unity, colours of the flag
For Adhar Ibrahim, better known as Abg K’ju, cakes are more than just desserts – they are his canvas of patriotism.
The 37-year-old pastry chef and owner of Abg K’ju Cake House has spent nearly a decade redefining the art of kek lapis Sarawak while carving out a reputation for bold, creative designs.
Adhar’s baking journey began in 2010 from his home kitchen, where he honed his talent in baking before upgrading his entrepreneurship to night markets in 2016.
A year later, he opened his own cake shop located at Kota Samarahan where he continued to grow his business despite facing stiff competition from long-established bakers.
This Malaysia Day, his creations take on a deeper meaning – cakes that do not just taste good but tell a story of unity, culture and pride.
“I believe food is not just for eating; it can be a medium to celebrate identity and history.
“Malaysia Day represents unity, so I try to translate love for the country into the desserts. I want customers to feel proud while enjoying something sweet.
“I combine the colours of our flag which is red, white, blue and yellow into the cake decorations. As for flavours, I choose local favourites such as chocolate, cheese, red velvet and even a touch of Sarawak layer cake as a heritage symbol,” he said.
The designs are often layered with fresh cream to create neat, premium finishes that look as good on a table as they do in a photograph.
Much of his inspiration, he added, comes from childhood memories of traditional kuih-muih enjoyed during celebrations, which he now combines with modern techniques to create premium versions that still connect customers to culture.
Designing patriotic cakes is no small feat with each cake can take between two to four hours to decorate, depending on the complexity of the design.
“The main challenges are time and cost. Alhamdulillah, many customers are excited because it’s different from usual. They like to make the cake a centrepiece during Malaysia Day celebrations,” he said.
Orders usually peak in the week leading up to Malaysia Day, with sales surging two to three times higher than normal.
Families, offices and even schools order his cakes to mark the occasion, proving that a dessert can be more than just a sweet treat.
Prices start from RM12 to RM25 per slice, while whole cakes range from RM40 and above, depending on size and detail.
Most of the designs come from Adhar’s own inspiration, though he remains open to customer requests.
“I just ensure the final product still has the Abg K’ju signature touch,” he added.
For Adhar, patriotic cakes carry social and cultural meaning beyond their visual appeal. He believes food is a universal language that brings people together by breaking down barriers of race, religion and social status.
“Patriotic-themed cakes become a small symbol reminding us of togetherness.
“Besides, younger generations are drawn to unique and ‘Instagrammable’ items, so when they share pictures of patriotic cakes, they are also celebrating Malaysia Day in a modern way.
“At the same time, I retain local traditional elements but present them with contemporary decoration techniques, creating a nostalgic feel while still looking fresh,” he said.
Beyond symbolism, Malaysia Day-themed desserts also strengthen his brand identity.
“They boost sales, but more importantly, they position Abg K’ju Cake House as creative and bold in introducing new ideas.
“People now enjoy celebrating national days or festivals creatively. I believe this trend will continue to rise and bakers here have great opportunities because we are rich in unique local ingredients.
“For me, every cake I bake is more than just flour, sugar and cream. It’s a slice of Malaysia itself, layered with heritage, decorated with pride and shared in the spirit of unity,” Adhar said.
