A Father’s Hustle, A Son’s Legacy

From Survival to One of Singapore’s Trusted Halal Food Suppliers

Pondok Abang is one of Singapore’s trusted halal food suppliers today. But it did not begin as a business. It began with a father trying to survive.

A Second Shift After Work

In the 1980s, Hasan’s father worked as a refuse truck driver. The job was physically exhausting, with long hours that drained him both mentally and physically. For most people, the day would end there. They would go home, rest, and reset for the next shift.But for him, the work did not stop.After his shift, he would get on his motorcycle and ride out to Tuas, where he sold curry puffs to factory workers. These were late nights with uncertain demand and no guarantee of income.There was no brand. No system. No structure.Just a small setup and a responsibility to provide.

Growing Up Inside the Business

Hasan grew up in this environment. From as young as seven years old, he was already helping out, serving food, clearing plates, and assisting wherever needed.While other children spent their time playing, he was working alongside his father.To him, it never felt like work. It was not called business. It was simply life.Without realising it, Hasan was learning everything.He observed how his father interacted with customers, managed money, and showed up every single day, regardless of how tired he was. These were lessons that could not be taught in school.

Choosing a Different Path

Despite this upbringing, Hasan never intended to take over the business.He saw firsthand how difficult it was. The long hours, the uncertainty, and the physical toll.So he chose a different path.He went on to serve National Service as a firefighter.That experience shaped him. It built discipline, resilience, and the ability to stay calm under pressure. These qualities would later influence how he approached challenges in life.

Stepping In When It Mattered

As the years passed, his parents began to grow older, and something shifted.That sense of responsibility came back.He did not want his parents to continue working under such demanding conditions. He wanted them to be able to rest.In 2011, Hasan made the decision to step in.

Transforming the Business

Hasan did not just continue the business. He transformed it.He understood that growth would not come from working harder alone, but from building systems.He restructured operations, introduced digital processes, and implemented automation.What was once manual and unpredictable became efficient, scalable, and reliable.Step by step, the business evolved.

From Motorcycle Sales to Manufacturing Scale

What began as curry puffs sold off a motorcycle grew into a full halal food manufacturing operation.Today, Pondok Abang produces and supplies over 200 products across Singapore daily, serving a wide network of customers and businesses.

Never Forgetting Where It Started

Despite the growth, one thing has never changed.The story.Inside the facility, there is a wall filled with milestones and memories. It is not there to impress, but to remind the team of where everything began.Because this business was never just about food.It was about continuing what his father started.

Building a Legacy Beyond Singapore

Today, Hasan is taking that legacy even further, with ambitions to grow beyond Singapore and build a global halal brand.Some founders start with ideas.Some start with capital.Hasan started with responsibility.And built everything on top of it.