Traces of Malaysian culture in tiffin carrier designs

KUALA LUMPUR: The use of bright colours with the concept of classic and traditional elements such as batik and kebaya motifs on the stainless steel tiffin carriers makes the traditional food container look more unique and sophisticated.

The hand-painted patterns and motifs symbolising the identity of Malaysian art and culture using non-toxic dyes also make the tiffin carriers or 'mangkuk tingkat' look more special, luxurious and not outdated.

Founder of a social enterprise, JEiWA Global Resources Ina Fadilah Mohamed Nizar said her experience of enjoying food served in tiffin boxes in 2018 during a train ride gave her the idea to start a business producing exclusive hand-painted stainless steel tiffin carriers.

"It was like reminiscing the good old memories and I thought it would be more interesting if the container is decorated with patterns and colours.

"Coincidentally, I am looking for a business idea to raise funds for JEiWA Power House, an integrated community centre, aimed at empowering women, especially survivors of domestic violence," she told Bernama.

Ina Fadilah said for each carrier, the drawing and colouring process will take about 30 minutes to an hour depending on the work of art, before being dried.

Apart from the tiffin carriers, the brand also offers various types of food containers of various sizes and shapes from the same material and concept starting from RM269.

The former diplomatic administration officer said the goal of establishing the Tiffin JEiWA brand was not just for profit but to make an impact and create an ecosystem to help raise the living standards of the community with marketing and training support.

"The objective is, among others, to provide employment opportunities to artists including calligraphy and mural artists as well as talented senior citizens and single mothers," she said.

The company is now able to produce about 1,000 products a month and most of the profits are channelled to its integrated community centre in Johor which offers various facilities such as event space, training rooms and counselling rooms aimed at creating a supportive environment for women.

Ina Fadilah said the brand also offered woven bags using high quality polyvinyl chloride (PVC) fibre material produced by Sarawak's Penan women.

"My mission is to help the less fortunate or rural people, who are using their existing skills to produce better-value products and provide more lucrative income," she said.

She added that the tiffin carriers had also been sold in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Qatar, Dubai, Japan, France and China.

-- BERNAMA