A total of 30 young people from Melaka participated in the 2026 Basic Nail Bag-Making Theory Workshop, organised by the World Youth Foundation (WYF) in collaboration with the Melaka State Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Council. The workshop was held at the WYF Hall in Ayer Keroh, Melaka.
The three-day workshop was officially launched by World Youth Foundation (WYF) Chairman, Datuk Mohd. Ridhwan Mohd Ali, on Tuesday, 12 October 2026. Also present were WYF Secretary-General, Datuk Norsabrina Mohd Noor, and Assistant Manager of Melaka TVET, Nurliana Zulbahri.
During a press conference immediately after officiating the workshop, Datuk Mohd Ridhwan emphasised that machinery assistance provided by the government, which is intended to help recipients establish businesses, is sometimes sold by recipients seeking to make quick profits. He expressed regret over the actions of certain recipients who sell machinery or equipment supplied by government agencies.
According to him, these recipients are wasting opportunities to develop their own businesses through the assistance provided.
“This behaviour can also undermine the trust of the relevant agencies, making it more difficult for the recipients concerned to obtain assistance in the future.”
“When asked about the assistance they previously received, they said it was good and that they had made a profit. That is true! They did make a profit, but when asked how much they had earned, it turned out that they had already sold the machinery,” he said.
He explained that such actions meant the recipients would only benefit financially once.
“They may no longer receive assistance in the future. It is difficult to trust recipients who do not use the assistance as intended. Those who are genuinely committed to running their businesses have the opportunity to receive continued support until they can expand their businesses and become self-reliant,” he added.
He further noted that the irresponsible behaviour of a small number of recipients could result in stricter assistance application procedures, requiring more extensive documentation and additional approval conditions.
He urged workshop participants to apply the skills they had learned to develop their businesses by producing creative products with distinctive features. He also expressed hope that the workshop would serve as a starting point for participants to establish sustainable businesses.
Meanwhile, workshop participant Aisy Imanuddin Jamaluddin, 18, from Muar, Johor, said that joining the workshop provided an opportunity to make productive use of his free time after completing the Malaysian Certificate of Education (SPM).
“I hope the skills I have learned will create opportunities for me to earn additional income in the future,” he said.
At the workshop’s closing ceremony on 14 October 2026, Melaka TVET Council Working Committee Chairperson, Datuk Khaidirah Abu Zahar, said that entrepreneurs should not limit their markets to Melaka alone.
Instead, the Melaka Deputy Executive Councillor for Investment, Industry and TVET Development emphasised that entrepreneurs could leverage digital technology to reach customers beyond their local areas.
“The relatively small population of Melaka should not prevent skills-training participants from expanding their businesses. Do not focus only on customers in Melaka. Look beyond the state, reach Singapore, and one day, you could even ship your products to Australia,” she said.
She made these remarks at the closing ceremony of the Basic Nail Bag-Making Theory Workshop at the World Youth Foundation (WYF) Hall.
Khaidirah said that current technological facilities and digital connectivity enable entrepreneurs to market their products and receive orders from various locations without having to establish physical premises or stalls overseas.
She added that delivering products to international customers was entirely possible through the shipping services available today.
“When we buy goods from China, do we ever think about how they deliver those goods to us? But they arrive, don’t they? So, what makes it impossible for our products to reach them as well? It is certainly possible,” she said.
She emphasised that participants must also master digital marketing skills to ensure their products attract customers and remain competitive in broader markets.
She suggested that participants use platforms such as TikTok and Instagram to promote the nail bags they produce, including by showcasing attractive product photographs to generate orders.
She noted that product-making skills alone were insufficient if participants did not know how to market their products and manage their businesses.
In addition, she said the workshop was part of the Melaka State TVET Council’s efforts to expand skills training opportunities for the community, including individuals seeking to generate income through their own businesses.
The three-day workshop was attended by 30 pioneering participants selected from across all State Legislative Assembly (DUN) constituencies in Melaka. Each participant also received a starter kit to enable them to continue producing nail bags after completing the training.
She explained that TVET development is not solely intended to produce a skilled workforce for the industry, but also to empower members of the community to establish businesses and generate income through the skills they acquire.
