KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 21 – Silent Teddies, a social enterprise empowering the deaf community through its bakery and café business, should be seen as a national model for inclusive economic development, Malaysia’s Minister of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives, Ewon Benedick, said on Thursday.
He said Silent Teddies not only provides job opportunities and skills training for persons with hearing disabilities, but also integrates them into the country’s economic mainstream.
“I am proud to see such initiatives focusing on marginalised groups, as they foster a sense of belonging and strengthen their participation in the national economy,” he told reporters during a visit to the Deaf Community Service Centre in the capital.
Silent Teddies, which has been accredited as a Social Enterprise by the ministry, currently trains 15 young deaf entrepreneurs under its Teenager Entrepreneurial Development (TED) programme. The enterprise, which holds halal certification, produces a range of bakery products including cookies and pineapple tarts, while more than 100 individuals from the deaf and B40 communities have received training at the centre.
Ewon said the development of social enterprises remains a key priority under Malaysia’s 13th Development Plan (RMK-13), supported by incentives, market access initiatives, and public-private collaboration.
Malaysia will also host the 8th ASEAN Inclusive Business Forum (ASEAN IB Forum 2025) on Sept 11–12 at Sunway Resort Hotel, followed by the ASEAN Inclusive Business and Social Enterprise Showcase 2025 from Sept 11–14 at Sunway Pyramid. Silent Teddies has been selected to showcase its products at the regional event.
Also present were SME Corp. Malaysia CEO Rizal Dato’ Nainy, National Entrepreneurship Institute (INSKEN) CEO Viviantie Sarjuni, and Silent Teddies founder Cindy Leong.
