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Prepared by PR Dept., IV Peas Paradigm Sdn. Bhd.

ABOUT Puan Hajah Zainab Shiyuti Puan Zainab, CEO of Zee’s Industries born in Pasir Mas,

Kelantan in 1961, has been an entrepreneur since the age of 19.

After two years with Singer (M) Sdn

Bhd, she formed Syarikat Indah Hias

Services, an interior decoration

company. In her early years, she worked

for an American-based direct selling

company, which later appointed her as a

“world sponsor” with Matol Indonesia

in Jakarta. She was also the Director of

Pantas Technologies Sdn Bhd, a

telecommunications company registered

with Telekom Malaysia Berhad (1990-

1998).

But it was the food business that she

found her niche. Backed by her years of

experience in business and her

knowledge in accounting and banking

procedures from the courses she had

attended, Puan Zainab opened her first

restaurant in Subang Jaya, Selangor in

1996. The restaurant, called “Zee’s

Special Steaks” was officiated by the

Minister of Entrepreneur Development,

Dato’ Mustapa Mohamed. “Zee’s

Special Steaks” was considered as one

of the pioneering steakhouse in

Malaysia operated by a Bumiputera

Malaysia whilst using quality imported

meats. Her first move as an

entrepreneur was not a success. The

operations of “Zee’s Special Steaks”

had to be shut down in 1998 due to

some unforeseen circumstances.

This was followed by the opening of

another restaurant, called “Restoran

Thai Raachewang” at Plaza Warisan,

Kuala Lumpur in 1997. And again, it

was not a favourable outcome as there

was lacking of customers patronising

the shopping mall. Both of her earlier

days’ failures did not stop her from

moving forward. And in year 1998,

when Suria KLCC at the Petronas Twin

Towers was opened, Puan Zainab

decided to kick-start her business to

Kuala Lumpur. Having surveyed the

food market in Klang Valley, Puan

Zainab believed that Kelantan food

would get good response if the locality

was right. (Cont…)

Puan Zainab’s perseverance, coupled with her natural exuberance and

enthusiasm, have turned Kelantan Delights into a popular stop for food

lovers, as well as among visitors and tourists to Suria KLCC.

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Prepared by PR Dept., IV Peas Paradigm Sdn. Bhd.

Despite the initial skepticism, Puan Zainab’s belief in the

saleability of her products was strong. She was confident that her

products have tremendous potential to make an impact among food

lovers who go for authenticity, quality and taste.

(From page 1) By pouring out her life

savings, a new outlet known as

“Kelantan Delights” was born in Suria

KLCC Food Court. Despite the initial

skepticism, Puan Zainab’s belief in the

saleability of her products was strong.

She was confident that her products

have tremendous potential to make an

impact among food lovers who go for

authenticity, quality and taste. It was a

bold decision on her part, but a fruitful

one. Kelantan Delights quickly carved a

name for itself with its signature

delicious dishes such as Nasi Dagang,

Nasi Kerabu and Nasi Lemak Kelantan.

The results have been startling. It is

maiden year for operation, Kelantan

Delights outperformed other more

established operators at the food court,

which reputedly has a traffic volume of

235,000 a week. Sales today increased

almost four-fold since the outlet opened

three years ago. Walk-in customers

have increased from 750 per day in

1998 to nearly 3,000 currently. Among

Kelantan Delights’ corporate customers

are Petronas, Ministry of Finance and

Ministry of Entrepreneur Development.

In addition to that, Harrod’s, world's

most famous luxury department store in

London had invited Kelantan Delights

over for a possible joint venture.

Besides, Kelantan Delights also took

part in the F1 fever by setting up a food

booth with the intention to gain

exposure and acceptance from the

foreigners. And in fact, foreigners love

Kelantanese food. To its customers,

Kelantan Delights is synonymous with

delicious, value-for-money food; a

combination of taste and tradition,

quality and affordability. Good service

and free smiles are the trademarks of

Kelantan Delights. Puan Zainab’s

perseverance, coupled with her natural

exuberance and enthusiasm, have turned

Kelantan Delights into a popular stop

for food lovers, as well as among

visitors and tourists to Suria KLCC.

As a testimony of her efforts, Puan

Zainab has been featured over Astro and

TV3, in the New Straits Times, The Star

and several business and women

magazines. As an entrepreneur since the

age of 19, Puan Zainab believes that the

days of Malay food being served solely

in warungs and small eateries are over.

Malay cuisine has the charm, taste and

diversity to be promoted and given

recognition as international cuisine. She

believes with proper presentation,

emphasis on quality and taste, strong

financial support and good locality,

Malay cuisine can make a real, lasting

impact locally and internationally.

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Prepared by PR Dept., IV Peas Paradigm Sdn. Bhd.

This recently, November

2007, she saw an opportunity

to start a new outlet at one of

the most prestigious shopping

mall in Malaysia, The

Gardens. Belanga, is a whole

new concept of a boutique

café which proves her

creativity in introducing the

local food, perhaps, to the

international level.

Belanga is defined as A

Potpourri of Malay Cuisine.

Belanga has indeed carved a

reputation for its consistent

for quality food with a

myriad of home-style

authentic Malay cuisine,

including popular favourites,

which is very ideal for social

dining with business

associates and with family.

The entire atmosphere is

modeled towards a typical

Malaysian countryside

restaurant that boasts a

collection of traditional hand-

made crafts, and kain songket

which reflects a sense of

elegance and luxury. Belanga

recently won a Gold Award

for the F&B Hospitality

Interior Category of the

Malaysia Society of Interior

Designers (MSID) Interior

Design Awards 2009.

Once again, Puan Zainab

with her new Belanga, shall

create a history which

Malaysia should be proud of.

Belanga: A Potpourri of

Malay Cuisine