With warm and welcoming smiles, 70-year-old Wang Ah Hie and his 69-year-old wife Karen Lim proudly display a range of locally themed merchandise, including T-shirts bearing the words “Malaysia”, “Johor” and “Air Hitam”.
For the couple, these items are more than just products for sale – they represent their love and devotion to the country.
“When tourists return to their home countries, they take a piece of Malaysia with them. This is our small way of introducing our country to visitors while fostering a sense of patriotism among locals,” Ah Hie told Bernama at his shop.
The couple began modestly in 1980 by selling handmade crafts made by others – such as pottery, vases, fridge magnets and T-shirts – by the roadside in Ayer Hitam.
In the ’90s, they took a big step forward by launching their own products under the “Kampungku” brand. Today, most of the designs for their T-shirts, mugs, jackets, tote bags and caps are created by their eldest son, Wang Sin Ee, 45.
Sin Ee said they opened a branch in 2015 at Senai International Airport catering to foreign tourists who wish to bring home a memento of Malaysia.
“We want them not just to buy our products as souvenirs but also to feel proud when wearing something that says Malaysia. Patriotism isn’t just for locals – it can be shared with others, too,” he said.
He added that the distinctive designs of Kampungku’s T-shirts have drawn strong interest from tourists from Singapore, Indonesia, Vietnam, China, Japan, South Korea, and Middle Eastern countries.
“We come up with more than 20 T-shirt designs every year due to high demand. We make sure every design reflects elements of Malaysia – from the colours to the lettering. That’s what makes them stand out.”
Meanwhile, Yong Peng district council secretary Muhamad Sharul Azmi Kamil describes the family’s efforts in promoting national identity through small-scale entrepreneurship as “extraordinary”.
“Imagine, for over four decades they have tirelessly promoted Malaysia, Johor, and Ayer Hitam to foreign visitors. This is a remarkable example of ordinary citizens helping to elevate the country’s image on the global stage,” he said.