KUCHING: An innovative lecturer from Sarawak has introduced an instant version of the beloved indigenous dish, linut, redefining convenience food while preserving cultural heritage.
Siti Mardinah Abdul Hamid said making linut from scratch involves labour-intensive preparation, with pounded rice as the core ingredient.
Looking at the complicated procedures to prepare a dish loved by almost everyone, she found a way to make it accessible to a wider audience without compromising on its essence.
Although her 3-in-1 linut product does not entail complicated steps to be prepared, she said traditional ingredients are used, ensuring the dish retains its authentic taste and cultural significance.
“In each of our packages, there are three packets that consist of linut flour, linut’s water and sambal.
“Aside from its speciality of bringing convenience to everyone who wants to eat it, what makes our product special is our homemade family recipe sambal.
“As we know that many are not fond of ‘belacan’, we innovated our sambal with anchovies as its base.
“With that, everyone can now eat and enjoy linut anywhere instantly,” she said when met by the New Sarawak Tribune today.
She stated that her business went commercial back in Nov 2021 just after the pandemic subsided.
“Prior to that, we usually sold it on a smaller scale such as in shops in Kuching, during food fairs and so on.
“But due to its high demand, we started its commercialisation. We have a shop in Metrocity, Matang which also acts as a factory for us to make our products.
“Now, this product can be found at local supermarkets such as E-mart, Farley and so on throughout Sarawak,” she said, adding that her products have a plain and terung asam flavour.
As an entrepreneur, Siti advised those who venturing into business to go for businesses that are uncommon.
“Try to look and venture into businesses that are rare and unique … with the innovation you bring forth, your business will flourish,” she said.
The 3-in-1 linut is now on sale at Agrofest 2023 held at Dataran Perayaan, Jalan Stadium, Petra Jaya here.
