Lee Biscuits to Shut Pontian Plant as Group Shifts Away from Snacks

Lee Biscuits Malaysia Sdn Bhd announced that its Pontian biscuit factory will halt production by the end of this month, triggering layoffs for its workforce. The decision is part of a broader restructuring by the Lee Group, which is exiting the snack-food sector to focus on core businesses such as rubber and palm oil. Notices of the production stop were sent to suppliers and customers in the previous month.

This closure follows the November 2023 shutdown of the Lee Pineapple cannery in Skudai, marking the second Lee Group food plant in Johor to close in three years. The brand, founded by Lee Kong Chian in 1934 and known for Marie biscuits and other snacks, originally started in Singapore before moving production to Tampoi in 1955 and later to Pontian. Pekan Nanas assemblyman Tan Eng Meng confirmed the news when approached for comment.