KUANTAN, Various creative methods are being used to express love for the country, especially throughout this National Month. Baker Arni Azreen Che Arifin, 33, has chosen to engage the public through butter cookies decoration.
Through her small-scale home-based business, marketed online via Instagram @cookieandcelebration, she introduces the ‘Merdeka Edition – Paint Your Own Cookie’. This interactive concept allows customers to participate in decorating the cookies themselves.
Notably, the Merdeka Edition, which started last year with the motif of the Jalur Gemilang, has now expanded its range following a positive reception. It includes new designs such as the hibiscus flower, a figure of independence leader Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj, the Petronas Twin Towers (KLCC), and the traditional wau kites.
‘Typically, during Merdeka celebrations, activities like colouring the Jalur Gemilang are done on paper, fabric and so on. To make it special, I created cookies with white fondant icing that customers can c
olour themselves using the food colouring provided.
‘This activity allows children to indirectly learn about the correct arrangement of the national flag’s colours and its meaning, as well as recognise the Jalur Gemilang or any other national-themed motifs alongside their parents,’ she told Bernama.
One might assume that she is a full-time entrepreneur, but interestingly, Arni Azreen is a lawyer based in the capital city. She does not let her busy court schedule prevent her from contributing to National Day celebrations.
For her, Jiwa Merdeka, which is the theme for National Day and Malaysia Day (HKHM), is universal and each individual has their own way of expressing it. Therefore, her approach through the ‘Merdeka Edition – Paint Your Own Cookie’, which is interactive, is particularly appealing to young people.
‘Orders from August to September are focused on the Merdeka Edition, and we have our hands full working on them. Each customer who buys the Merdeka Edition receives a brush for painting and a colo
ur palette made from edible ink,’ she said.
The business, which she started in 2022, is also supported by her husband, Muhammad Hafiq Norzan, 32, an entrepreneur himself.
She hopes to expand her business further by obtaining halal certification from the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM).
Her meticulous approach in creating various butter cookie designs has also caught the attention of major corporate companies.
‘I didn’t expect such a positive response. I learned from the Internet and initially only shared with friends and from there, the business grew. Working at a family-owned law firm also helps me balance my time well between my career and business,’ she added.
Source: BERNAMA News Agency