Special 'Tepung Pelita' Fuels Ramadan Earnings For Small Traders

By Bernama Lifestyle Reporter

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 24 (Bernama) -- Ramadan would not feel complete without traditional kuih on the iftar table, and among the favourites is tepung pelita, a soft, creamy, sweet delicacy.

Although many vendors sell this treat, Tepung Pelita Istimewa Paya Jaras is the most sought-after. Popular since 1999, it is made by Wati Abdul Rahman, who is based in Sungai Buloh, Selangor. 

Since the demand for this kuih — made from rice flour, coconut milk and sugar — surges during the fasting month, and to ensure it reaches her loyal customers, Wati has appointed nearly 150 sales agents who operate in various locations in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor.

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One such agent, Nurul Attirah Mohd Radzi, 33, told Bernama she sells this particular tepung pelita to supplement her household income as her family’s breakfast business is forced to close throughout Ramadan.

“My usual business is selling bihun soup, curry noodles and lontong in the morning at a rented space in a restaurant. But when Ramadan begins, I close this business for a month.

“So, during the fasting month, I sell Tepung Pelita Istimewa Paya Jaras, which is the preferred choice of my customers. This is now my fourth year selling it,” she said at her temporary stall in Jalan Gombak Batu 5 here. 

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Nurul Attirah added that her daily routine during Ramadan begins at 2 pm, when she drives about 50 kilometres to the factory in Sungai Buloh, operated by Wati and her husband, to collect her supply of Tepung Pelita Istimewa Paya Jaras before opening her stall at 4.30 pm.

The mother of three said she usually sells between 15 and 18 trays of the kuih a day, with each tray containing about 70 pieces. The quantity is adjusted according to demand to ensure everything is sold.

“I adjust the number of trays daily based on demand to make sure the kuih sells out,” she said, adding that based on her previous years’ earnings, she expects to make about RM3,000 over the course of Ramadan, income that goes a long way towards her Hari Raya Aidilfitri preparations.

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Another vendor, who wished to be known only as Eira, said she has been a sales agent for Tepung Pelita Istimewa Paya Jaras during Ramadan since 2015. 

The 41-year-old homemaker said demand for the brand has remained strong among residents in her neighbourhood in Flora Damansara in Damansara Perdana, despite the availability of a wide variety of other iftar delicacies. 

“Tepung Pelita Istimewa Paya Jaras remains a favourite because of its taste and quality. Even though the price is higher now compared to before, customers still look for it,” she said, adding that she sells between 10 and 16 trays daily.

-- BERNAMA