KUCHING: A 25-year-old Sarawak entrepreneur is turning heads at the Borneo Games Kuching 2025 Sales Carnival with his innovative D’Vaaw Perfume brand, crafted using gula apong (nipah palm sugar) and local fruits.
Founder Demanic Chupong said that his products are 100 per cent alcohol-free and have already attracted strong demand, especially from students.
“Nine out of 10 of our customers are students, and most of them are repeat buyers.
“They like that the perfume lasts up to 72 hours and is skin-friendly, unlike many inspired perfumes which can cause sensitivity,” he explained.
The business currently offers 23 fragrances developed through research and innovation under the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development Sarawak’s (MYSED’s) SY Start Up programme.
Demanic, who was once unemployed after completing his studies in Early Childhood Education, credited the programme for giving him the platform to begin his venture.
“Through SY Start Up, I was given guidance and opportunities, including being sent to Penang where I won champion at the Sarawak Entrepreneurs Showcase 2025,” he said.
To ensure accessibility, D’Vaaw adopts a competitive pricing strategy.
“A 10ml bottle is RM18, which is still affordable for students, while our exclusive 35ml bottle is RM49.90 with premium packaging,” he said.
He added that standing out in a crowded market has been a challenge, but the team continues to innovate.
“We are the only entrepreneurs using gula apong as an alcohol substitute and we recently introduced blends made with red ginger and black pepper.
“I am grateful that more than 2,000 bottles have been sold in just a short time,” he said.
Demanic said the use of local raw materials such as bambangan fruit skin and langsat fruit reflects his vision for the brand.
“We know we can’t just compete on price alone. Our uniqueness is in highlighting Sarawak’s natural resources while creating quality perfumes,” he stressed.
He also expressed gratitude for MYSED’s support.
“Our success comes from research, hard work and the guidance we received from MYSED. We want to keep showcasing Sarawak’s uniqueness through our perfumes,” he added.
