Suzaina was preparing Chicken Murtabak for the customers.

(Source: Berita DIMENSi / Hanani Sahimi)

KUANTAN: Since the Movement Control Order (MCO) was enforced by the government, various sectors were disrupted by the pandemic ravaging the country including a small family-owned stall in the heart of Pekan, Pahang.

Murtabak Mengkasar Haji Din, located in the royal city of Pekan, Pahang surviving various ordeals even needed to close down several branches in the city.

Famous for being favourites among the royal palace of Pahang, Murtabak Mengkasar has been Sultan Abu Bakar’s choice originating from Datuk Awang Rashid recipe given to Haji Tajudin to start his ventures from 1978 until now.

Murtabak Mengkasar specialty, three layers of meat wrapped with savoury egg mixture.

(Source: Berita DIMENSi / Hanani Sahimi)

Suzaina Ahmad Tajudin, 38, inherited the responsibility of running the stall from her father becoming the second generation continuing her father’s responsibility to run the stall after graduating from university in 2005.

“I was worried about how the pandemic gravely affected the business as there were no customers even on the weekends.

“In my thoughts, I have never experienced such a horrible experience, even though it is a norm in business industries there will be ups and downs but, the pandemic still gave lots of impact towards the business,” says Suzaina when interviewed with Dimensi.

In Kuantan, Murtabak Mengkasar also had open three branches located in Peramu Pekan, Kampung Mengkasar Pekan, and Bukit Sekilau Kuantan, and they serve a variety of murtabaks such as Beef Murtabak, Murtabak Special and one of their specialty, Cheesy Murtabak is worth a shot.

Suzaina expresses her gratitude as her family business can still survive in this pandemic.

(Source: Berita DIMENSi / Hanani Sahimi)

Suzaina continues, she encounters difficulties in running the business when borders were closed while her business stopped to the lowest scrambling to pay her workers salary.

“During those critical moments, I had to use my emergency savings to continue running the stalls and pay my workers because everyone is struggling too,” says Suzaina to Dimensi at her stalls in Kampung Mengkasar.

They said ‘storm makes trees take deeper roots’ after our Prime Minister Dato' Sri Ismail Sabri Yaakob announced the state borders and tourism sectors were opened. It was back on track as sales and demands from customers increased.

We can see a major difference compared to last time. At present customers flock to our stalls even on weekdays and every time we make our frozen murtabak, it will be sold out in mere three days forcing us to restock,” says Suzana to Dimensi.

Suzaina also adds it can be said that towards later stages of the pandemic, things are slowly getting better for her business despite enduring a rough beginning and she hopes everyone who is struggling may find their resolve just like she did.

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