TASEK GELUGOR: Each time a festive season approaches, the Khabilu family will have their hands full making their famous muruku – an Indian savoury, crunchy snack.

       Khabilu Manufacturing Sdn Bhd managing director Hakimullah Khabilu says the snack is a must-have for all Malaysian festivities.

       The 28-year-old businessman said for the upcoming Thaipusam and Chinese New Year celebrations, they had received orders not only from individuals but also big companies.

       According to him, Khabilu Manufacturing was founded by his grandfather M. Shamsudin Ali Mohamed who was a trader from Ramnad, India, 56 years ago.

       “Using a family recipe my grandfather inherited, he started the business by selling an assortment of nuts and muruku using a tricycle cart at the Capitol theatre before expanding it to other cinemas such as Cathay, Paramount and Rex.

       “His snacks were a hit among various races and all walks of life,” he told Bernama at his factory, here, recently.

       Khabilu Manufacturing chief executive officer Ahmad Tahbranni Khabilu said he and his siblings get their business acumen from their father.

       “We were taught to prepare muruku from scratch. We used to help our father sell nuts and muruku at various night market spots and his shop,” he said.

       Ahmad Tahbranni, 26, said prior to operating at their own factory two years ago, the process of making muruku was all done at their home in Ayer Itam.

       “We are grateful that the business is going well for us.

       “We once received orders for 20 tonnes of muruku a week during the movement control order,” he said.

       According to him, his factory is now able to produce one tonne of muruku per day.

       Ahmad Tahbranni said his company planned to further widen the Malaysian-made muruku market after being able to export the product to Dubai last year.