Dato' Sri Meer Sadik Habib

Malaysia has many bright spots on the world map, and the local jewellery brand Habib has not only won attention with its sparkling jewelry collections but also set an admirable example of national brands with its perseverance. In this edition of NOBLE Celebrity Magazine's interview series, we engage in an in-depth conversation about jewellery with Dato' Sri Meer Sadik Habib, CEO of Habib, as he speaks in a language as dazzling as a diamond.

As Malaysia's first jewellery brand to successfully go public, Habib's illustrious journey began with a low-key but firm beginning. Initially focused on the diamond wholesale business, the brand was initially a small shop on Bit Road in Penang, but it quietly laid the foundation for its future international expansion. In January 1986, Dato' Sri Meer Sadik Habib returned from the United States to complete his business administration studies and did not hesitate to join the family business founded by his father. From that moment on, Habib's development reached a whole new turning point. He took over not only a jewelry brand, but also a mission that carries ideals and inheritance.

Recalling the scene of that year, Dato' Sri Meer's eyes lit up. He recounted the challenging and breakthrough years: "At that time, Penang was still a free port, attracting merchants from the United States, Vietnam and other places to trade by sea. We caught up with this wave of dividends of the times, and the business was very prosperous for a while. However, I am more eager to open up the market, change the old model, and inject new vitality than to keep it. "It is this dedication to innovation and growth that has injected Habib into a unique brand DNA and transformed it from a small shop into a well-known jewellery kingdom in Malaysia today.

"I have always been keen on communicating with people, and through face-to-face dialogue, I can more truly grasp the first-hand feedback and market dynamics of customers on products." Dato' Sri Meer admits that he cherishes every opportunity to interact with customers because these exchanges not only help him understand the needs and expectations of consumers, but also make him realize that many customers' knowledge of jewelry actually comes from word of mouth, which is often mixed with misleading and misinformation. In an in-depth conversation with customers, he was deeply aware that there is a lot of information circulating on the market that is difficult to distinguish between true and false, which can mislead consumers if not careful, which is a great challenge to a brand's integrity and professionalism.

Dato' Sri Meer recalls that there was one thing that had a profound impact on him and completely changed his attitude and sense of responsibility towards the jewellery industry. Shortly after he started his jewelry business, he sold a batch of sapphires to a merchant from the United States. At first, everything seemed to be going well, but about a week later, he received a call from the other party who told him that the sapphires were actually "industrial gemstones". The so-called industrial gemstones are gemstones that are artificially synthesized by high-temperature technology using the same chemical elements as natural gemstones, although they are similar to natural gemstones in appearance and composition, but their physical properties and values are very different.

The call made him feel like a slap in the face, and he described how he felt extremely ashamed because it not only damaged the trust of his clients in him but also shook his confidence in his expertise. "I really felt that I was deceived because I didn't have enough knowledge, but it also betrayed the trust of the customers and the trust they placed in us." He said.

It was this experience that made him deeply realize that as a jewelry merchant, you should not only be satisfied with buying and selling but also have solid professional knowledge and moral responsibility. Therefore, he made up his mind to return to the classroom and study systematically again. He resolutely enrolled in the famous jewelry appraisal professional courses in the United States, from gemology, cutting technology, composition analysis to authenticity and falsehood, he rebuilt his professional foundation bit by bit. He believes that only by truly understanding the essence of jewelry can we give customers the most real commitment and the most professional protection. Although this experience was difficult, it also became a key turning point in building the professional credibility of the Habib brand in the future.

After returning to China after completing his studies again, he did not hesitate to devote himself to the family jewelry business and immediately assisted his father in reforming and expanding at all levels. That year, he bravely ventured into Kuala Lumpur alone, resolutely stepped out of his comfort zone, and committed to opening up a new market territory. He not only redefined the brand's image in the city, but also innovated more boldly, cooperated with TV and radio stations, actively participated in media platforms, and was often invited to participate in talk shows to share jewelry-related professional knowledge and market insights in simple terms.

He knows that only by improving the knowledge level of consumers can they have the ability to distinguish between authenticity and falsehood in the face of mixed market information and no longer be easily deceived. Therefore, he regards the dissemination of correct jewelry awareness as a responsibility and a brand mission. To this day, he is sincerely relieved to see that many customers can take the initiative to ask professional questions and show clear judgment before making a purchase - this is exactly what he hopes to see after years of hard work.

Dato' Sri Meer said affectionately, "As Malaysians, we should fully support local brands. This is not only a responsibility, but also a manifestation of a sense of honor. Unfortunately, I often see many Chinese people flocking to foreign brands but ignoring the value and uniqueness of local brands. Whenever this happens, I can't help but feel a little lonely and helpless in my heart.”

He continued: "This phenomenon has also indirectly led to some local high-end shopping malls preferring to leave the most conspicuous and golden position to international jewelry brands rather than local brands when attracting investment. This is not because our products are not good enough, but because we ourselves have not given due attention and affirmation.”

"For Malaysian brands to compete for their place on the international stage, we must first build confidence in our culture and brand. Only by stopping self-dwarfing and truly identifying with and supporting our brand can we shine our own light in the global market.”

Jewelry is small but has extraordinary power, as it records vows, carries emotions, and bears witness to important moments in life. The power of jewelry lies not in size, but in the story and meaning behind it. Dato Sri Meer says that jewellery is a very pleasant business because it is always associated with festivities or festivals. And these days will become the most precious memories in life.

"The light of jewelry is a visual shock; And its power is the weight of emotions, and every piece of jewelry is radiating its own light, and it also contains the power to support the soul. What Habib pursues is a process that can emit light and a memory that empowers people. It is a gentle and firm force, which becomes deeper and more precious over the years. Wearing a piece of jewelry is like quietly wearing a power of your own, reminding yourself that no matter where you go, you are radiant. When I see a customer wearing our jewelry and full of confidence, I feel as if I see the extraordinary power in her, which is what makes me happiest the most.”

Source: Noble