Some Indonesians Claim These Malaysian Brands As Their Own Because They Are So Popular
Meanwhile, Kopiko and Choki Choki are Indonesian brands.
By Yap Wan Xiang — 20 Sep 2024, 06:05 PM
Just as some of us mistakenly believe Choki Choki is a Malaysian product, some Indonesians have also confused several of our local brands as their own
In an Instagram post by Jembar Digital, an Indonesian social media management agency, they highlighted five Malaysian brands that are commonly mistaken for Indonesian.
Titled "Because they 'sell' so well, these Malaysian products are often mistaken for Indonesian products", the agency stated that these brands have dominated the Indonesian market, creating a false impression that they are homegrown companies.
1. Maybank
"From the name and logo alone, it is actually easy to recognize that this bank comes from Malaysia. Maybank is also present in Singapore and the Philippines," wrote Jembar Digital.
According to Maybank's official website, Maybank Indonesia has 337 branches and 765 ATMs as of 2023.
The bank manages 115.5 trillion rupiah of customer deposits and has assets valued at 171.8 trillion rupiah as of December 2023.
2. Fipper
"Many people might think it's from Thailand. Fipper sandals are known for their comfort and simple yet attractive design. These sandals are widely sold in malls and traditional markets in Indonesia," wrote Jembar Digital.
Established by Jack Lim in 2008, the company has a footprint in South Africa, Maldives, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, India, Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia, Indonesia, and many more countries.
According to a report by Vulcan Post published in January last year, Fipper has 40 outlets in Indonesia.
3. Giant
"Giant actually comes from Malaysia and was founded in 1944. Due to tight competition and changes in market dynamics, Giant's popularity in Indonesia has declined," wrote Jembar Digital.
Giant, founded by the late Teng Yew Huat in 1944, expanded its presence beyond Malaysia to Indonesia and Singapore. In 2001, Teng sold all his stakes in the company.
In August 2021, all Giant outlets were closed in Indonesia, with at least five locations being converted into IKEA stores by PT Hero Supermarket Tbk, the brand's owner in Indonesia, reported Indonesia Expat.
4. Mister Potato
"Mr. Potato is a very famous potato chip brand in Malaysia and Indonesia. Many people don't know that Mr. Potato comes from Malaysia, especially considering its very high popularity in Indonesia," wrote Jembar Digital.
Mister Potato is a snack brand under Mamee-Double Decker, a proud product of Melaka. The company was founded by Datuk Pang Chin Hin in 1971.
It was not until 1992 that Mister Potato was born. Many brands under Mamee-Double Decker have a global presence.
According to food suppliers directory iFoodAsia, Mister Potato can be found in 100 countries, with top markets including Australia, Singapore, Russia, Netherlands, Maldives, and the Middle East.
5. AirAsia
"AirAsia’s major promotions are always highly anticipated. This year, CEO Tony Fernandes has decided to establish an office in Jakarta, highlighting Indonesia’s significant market potential for AirAsia," wrote Jembar Digital.
Founded by Tan Sri Tony Fernandes and Datuk Kamarudin Meranun in 2001, the local budget airline quickly grew into an international brand.
AirAsia now operates one head office and 16 service and sales offices across 12 major cities in Indonesia. Today, the airline boasts a fleet of over 200 aircraft and employs more than 21,000 staff across Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines, Cambodia, and other countries.
