Kuala lumpur: The Dapur Digital programme has been expanded to an additional 10 People’s Housing Projects (PPR) and Public Housing (PA) areas in the Federal Territories, building on its successful impact in empowering the B40 community as the initiative enters its second year. Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories) Datuk Seri Dr Zaliha Mustafa highlighted that the first phase, implemented across five PPR areas, reported over RM1 million in total sales last year.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the new locations include PPR Seri Semarak, PPR Hiliran Ampang, PPR Seri Alam, PPR Raya Permai, PPR Kampung Muhibbah, PPR Taman Mulia, PPR Beringin, Pangsapuri Sentul Utara, PA Sri Kedah, and PA Seri Perlis II. The initiative, under the Usaha Jaya Insan programme, aims to strengthen the local economy through a public-private partnership model. This model involves industry players, non-governmental organisations, and key implementation partner Pepper Labs, with support from private companies, media, and other stakeholders.
This entrepreneurship platform offers culinary training and equips participants with digital marketing and financial management skills. All training sessions are conducted near the respective PPR communities, as stated by Dr Zaliha during the 2025 Dapur Digital key presentation ceremony at Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL).
Dr Zaliha also mentioned that, apart from modern kitchen facilities, the programme provides a food processing centre, e-commerce hub, lifelong learning and skills training centre, and a platform for community activities. The programme assists participants in obtaining key certifications, such as Halal certification from the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM), the ‘home-based food’ certificate, and the BeSS certification from the Ministry of Health.
She noted that Pepper Labs has been tasked with helping participants secure these certifications to enhance their market presence and maintain competitiveness. Meanwhile, PA Seri Perlis 2 Residents’ Association chairman Latiff Abu Hassan emphasized that the initiative has created income-generating opportunities for women, particularly single mothers and senior citizens, within the housing community through home-based food businesses.
Dapur Digital is Malaysia’s first public-private-philanthropic partnership of its kind, supported by the Ministry of Finance, the Federal Territories Department, DBKL, and Yayasan Hasanah.