In 1958, with just RM3,800 and an unwavering desire to provide a better life for his family, Datuk Haji Habib Mohamed Abdul Latif took a bold step that would eventually reshape Malaysia’s jewellery industry. What began as a modest venture on Pitt Street in Georgetown, Penang, has today become one of the country’s most beloved luxury brands: HABIB Jewels.
Starting Small, Dreaming Big
The story starts with Datuk Haji Habib Mohamed Abdul Latif, a determined man with big hopes for a better life after World War II. He once worked as a canteen staff at the post office near the very street his future business would stand. He began his jewellery journey not by making grand designs, but by buying old gold items from pawnshops, cleaning and restoring them, and then reselling them to goldsmiths. This hands-on, grassroots approach allowed him to learn the ins and outs of the trade.
In 1958, with a business capital of RM 3,800, he opened Kedai Emas MA Habib Mohamed. He had no formal training, no business mentors, and no roadmap. What he had was perseverance.
“At the beginning, I didn’t even have a role model. I just wanted to earn a living, that’s all.”
He didn’t imagine the shop would grow into anything significant, he simply wanted to put food on the table. But fate had other plans.
Pushing Forward Through Failure
As his business began to grow, Habib opened two more branches at a hotel on Burma Road, hoping to tap into the tourist market, especially American soldiers on leave from the Vietnam War. Unfortunately, these branches failed to thrive and were eventually shut down.
This could have ended everything. But it didn’t. Instead of giving up, Habib re-centred his focus, refined his vision, and began to craft his own unique jewellery using raw materials, diamonds, and gemstones.
He noticed that many Malay customers were being underserved in the diamond jewellery market, and he saw an opportunity to fill that gap with designs inspired by Malaysian culture: floral brooches, kerongsang, and traditional buttons.
Building a Brand, Brick by Brick
Throughout the 70s and 80s, Habib built his brand on integrity, affordability, and customer care. His jewellery wasn’t just about luxury; it was about celebration, family, and heritage.
In 1986, his only son, Datuk Seri Meer Sadik, joined the business after returning from university in the US. Meer had grown up in the business, living above the Pitt Street shop and helping out after school. He brought fresh ideas, and a bold spirit.
“It was just that I grew up watching my parents work very hard, and I wanted to give them a break. I thought of coming back, and helping them out and then think about what’s next. I was very single-minded about that. I remember when I first touched down from the US at 6am in the morning, I started working right after. That was January 1986. Haven’t stopped until today!”
One of his first innovations was to create a showroom at Semua House in Kuala Lumpur, designed without the traditional metal grilles that separated sellers from customers. The open concept invited conversation and trust, which quickly became a trademark of HABIB’s customer experience.
Meer also invested heavily in advertising, making HABIB the first local jeweller to appear on radio, TV, and billboards, a huge move at a time when most gold businesses relied on word-of-mouth.
Weathering Storms, Making History
The late 90s brought a massive milestone, and a new challenge. In 1998, HABIB became the first publicly listed jewellery company in Malaysia, right in the middle of the Asian Financial Crisis.
The timing couldn’t have been worse. The ringgit crashed, the market shook, and underwriters began pulling out. But Habib, now led by Meer, pushed forward.
“We became listed during the worst possible time. But we beat our profit projections. That gave us the courage to keep going,” shares Datuk Seri Meer Sadik
Despite the achievement, Meer wasn’t comfortable with the constant focus on sales targets and shareholder expectations. In 2005, he made the bold decision to buy back the company and take it private again.
“After becoming the first publicly listed jewellery brand, I became very uncomfortable. It was all about pushing sales, profit forecasting, making announcements, missing your profit, and having to explain… so many different things. I did not enjoy that. We subsequently sold our listed vehicle, bought back our company, and became private again.”
Giving Back and Building for the Future
True to its founder’s values, Habib continues to give back. The company supports initiatives in education, healthcare, and community development, and runs HABIB Learning in Ampang, a training centre for future jewellers and retail professionals.
In 2022, another dream came true: the construction of the Habib Mosque in Penang. It was a long-held wish of the late founder, now realised as a symbol of faith and gratitude.
Apart from that, Habib has launched Harta (Habib’s Action for Revival of our Traditions and Arts) Space, which aims to celebrate Malaysian culture, heritage and art. Located in the brand’s showroom in Ampang, the 8,000 sqft space houses a gallery, museum and cafe, which is managed by Meer’s youngest son, Mirsham Meer.
Today, Meer’s children are active in the business, making HABIB not just a brand, but a living legacy.
“I have a very strange way of looking at success. I look at it this way: if I am personally successful, that’s because it is my parents’ success. So then, to me, if my children are successful in life, that means I have succeeded,” he shares.
A Jewel of a Story
More than 60 years on, HABIB Jewels isn’t just a jewellery company. It’s the story of a man who refused to quit, a family who stayed grounded through success, and a brand that honours tradition while embracing the future.
From a small shop to a nationwide empire with international acclaim, HABIB proves that resilience, purpose, and heart can turn even the smallest dream into a timeless treasure.
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