KUCHING – The ‘Sense of Malaysia’ platform, operated by CENTEXS Commercial, has received royal endorsement with a unique proposal from Her Royal Highness the Queen of Pahang, Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah, who suggested that prison-made products be included in the showcase.
The Queen made the suggestion during her official visit and the launch of the exhibition space at Kuching International Airport on Sunday.
She highlighted that items produced by prison institutions, such as curry puffs and traditional Malay cakes, could add value to the platform while supporting social empowerment programmes for inmates.
General Manager of CENTEXS Commercial, Mohamad Shahren Mohamad Yusri, welcomed the idea, noting that it would broaden product variety and strengthen rehabilitation initiatives by giving inmates’ skills greater visibility. “Her Royal Highness sees this as an excellent opportunity to promote these items,” he explained.
Since its establishment more than a year ago, ‘Sense of Malaysia’ has shown strong performance. According to Mohamad Shahren, overall sales have surpassed RM1 million in 2024, with daily sales averaging RM3,000 and peaking at RM13,000 during weekends.
He credited Sarawakian entrepreneurs for improving packaging and product quality, which has boosted consumer confidence.
The platform currently features 25 Sarawakian entrepreneurs across three categories: crafts and accessories, food, and textiles. It has become a hub for showcasing local talent and promoting Sarawak’s diverse cultural heritage to travellers.
Looking ahead, CENTEXS Commercial is exploring expansion opportunities. Discussions are underway to bring the ‘Sense of Malaysia’ concept to KLIA 1 and KLIA 2, potentially extending Sarawak’s artisan reach to Peninsular Malaysia.
“We want to bring Sarawak products out of Sarawak. If everything runs smoothly, we will be expanding this platform to airports in the Peninsular,” Mohamad Shahren said.
During her visit, the Queen expressed appreciation for CENTEXS Commercial’s efforts in gathering a wide range of local products under one roof. She personally purchased several items, remarking that Sarawakian products are of high quality and should continue to be diversified.
The proposal to include prison-made goods adds a new dimension to the platform, combining cultural promotion with social rehabilitation, and reinforcing the MADANI government’s emphasis on inclusivity and empowerment.
