Juniper
[From left] Leong Ven Luan, Nutritionist Nestlé Malaysia and Mentor of WCB Season 4, Ms Chuah Jia Wen, Head of Industry, Google Malaysia, Alleena Abdullah, WCB Mentor, Mr. Juan Aranols, Chief Executive Officer, Nestlé Malaysia, Anne Idris, WCB Mentor, Yang Berusaha Dr. Faridah Binti Awang, Deputy Director-General, Department of Women’s Development, Ms Ivy Tan Link Cheh, Business Executive Officer of MAGGI® Malaysia and Singapore, Nikhil Rolla, General Manager for Malaysia and Regional Strategic Account, TikTok, Chef Naem, WCB Mentor, and Ida Faizura binti Megat Muhaiyadin, WCB 2023 alumni – celebrating the continued success of the programme made possible through strong collaborations and shared commitment to empowering Malaysian women
As MAGGI® celebrates over 50 years of nourishing Malaysians, its flagship empowerment programme, Wanita Cukup Berani (WCB) enters its fourth year, continuing its mission to empower Malaysian women to discover their true potential, embrace new opportunities, and take fearless steps toward personal and community growth through food.
Rooted in the spirit of Tak Kenal, Tak Cinta, WCB has built a strong support ecosystem offering mentorship, digital and business training, and community networks to help women continue growing beyond the programme. To date, over 4,000 women across Malaysia have been empowered, with a goal to reach 10,000 women and nurture at least 20 new food entrepreneurs by 2026.
According to Hon. Dato’ Sri Hajah Nancy Shukri, Minister of Women, Family and Community Development, WCB reflects national priorities to empower women, reduce inequality, and enhance digital literacy. “I am proud to see how MAGGI® ’s Wanita Cukup Berani brings this vision to life, with skills training, consistent encouragement, and the chance to try something new. Once women discover what they are capable of, they begin to love their own journey, and they find the courage to go even further.”
She commends MAGGI® for opening the door wider by partnering with organisations like Google, TikTok, and the Ministry of Health in advocating healthier eating: “It reminds us that real change happens when we work together—government, private sector, and the community – walking side by side, hand in hand.”
Mr. Juan Aranols, Chief Executive Officer, Nestlé Malaysia, reaffirms its wider corporate purpose of enhancing quality of life and contributing to a healthier and more sustainable future; recognising that brands have a responsibility to the betterment of the society by going into the heart of communities. “Wanita Cukup Berani is an example of this belief in action, specifically focused on women empowerment. We are proud to partner with Google and TikTok, whose platforms and expertise open up digital opportunities for women in ways that were once unimaginable. These alliances demonstrate how public–private partnerships can create initiatives that are not only impactful but also sustainable and scalable.”
As MAGGI® celebrates over 50 years of nourishing Malaysians, WCB marks its evolution from being a trusted kitchen companion to becoming a true empowerment partner. “Good food and cooking have always been at the heart of MAGGI®’s story. Food is never just food. It is the love that strengthens family bonds. It is creativity expressed in flavours and textures. And yes, it can also be a source of self-worth, and even a pathway to income – as we have seen with WCB alumni members,” says Ms. Ivy Tan Link Cheh, Business Executive Officer of MAGGI® Malaysia and Singapore.
She adds: “When we launched WCB four years ago, we realised many women already had the skills, creativity and determination. What they often needed was encouragement and a boost of confidence to try something new. That is why WCB exists: to help women realise that they are indeed cukup berani-brave enough to try, learn and take that next step. The success of WCB is made possible through our dedicated mentors, and this year we are honoured to have Anne Idris, Alleena Abdullah, Chef Naem and Ven Luan guiding participants through both online and offline modules. With knowledge, mentorship and opportunities, WCB will continue to empower women to build better futures with confidence. To all our WCB participants and our 4,000 alumni members, this movement belongs to you. Thank you for showing us the true meaning of bravery, resilience and love through food.
At the launch, the WCB 2025 panel highlighted how digitalisation, mentorship and skills-building, can transform women’s lives. Through alumni stories and expert insights, the discussion emphasised MAGGI’s commitment to accessible online and offline learning, nurturing women’s potential, and supporting nation-building, proving that when women are equipped with confidence, guidance, and the right tools, they uplift families, communities, and the nation.
