Dato Seri Ashraf Bakar is the Founder and CEO of Aliyah Rizq Holdings, a Singapore-based agribusiness that operates across Malaysia, Indonesia, and beyond.
His company is known for its large-scale ‘qurban’ services (ritual animal sacrifice during Eid al-Adha) and commitment to ethical, sustainable farming.
His Journey to Success
Dato Seri Ashraf Bakar’s journey began with responsibility. At just 17, following his parents’ divorce, he became the sole breadwinner for his sick mother and three younger siblings.
To make ends meet, he tried his hand at various jobs: selling healthcare products, and later managing a restaurant at 19.
By his early 20s, he had already become a subcontractor in Malaysia’s construction sector, involved in large township projects.
But his biggest turning point came from an unlikely place: his own backyard.
From Construction to Farming
Dato Seri Ashraf Bakar had a fondness for unusual pets, including sheep. When the herd began to grow, it was his mother-in-law who suggested turning the hobby into something more.
That suggestion led to the birth of Aliyah Rizq Farm in 2015, starting with just 30 sheep on a two-acre plot in Mersing, Johor.
A Business Model Built on Curiosity
It was not long before curious friends and strangers started asking if they could “own” a sheep, while he looked after it.
This sparked an idea: “Shepherding as a Service,” according to Catalist Malaysia.
The concept allowed customers to invest in livestock without managing the animals themselves.
Today, the farm spans over 200 acres, housing not only sheep but also cattle, horses, goats, and even alpacas.
A Regional Farming Network
Aliyah Rizq has since grown into a regional network operating in seven countries, including Malaysia, Indonesia, and Kenya.
- In 2018, he launched PT Aliyah Rizq Agriculture in Medan, Indonesia, a social enterprise aimed at empowering underprivileged farmers.
- In 2023, he set up Aliyah Rizq Africa Limited in Kenya to breed and trade livestock while opening access to markets in the Middle East and Asia.
The network now includes over 300 contract farmers, a quarantine facility, and four partner farms.
To date, the company has helped bring over 5,000 sheep into Malaysia the right way: through legal, traceable channels, hoping to offer a cleaner, safer alternative to the country’s ongoing issues with livestock smuggling.
Record-Breaking Achievements
In 2019, Aliyah Rizq was recognised by the Malaysian Book of Records for “The Largest Number of Sheep Slaughtered for Korban” in Johor.
The company continues to provide ‘aqiqah and qurban’ services to Muslim communities, especially during festive seasons.
Educating the Next Generation
Beyond livestock, Aliyah Rizq also runs training programmes to nurture new farmers.
These initiatives focus on sustainable practices, ethical treatment of animals, and improving the livelihoods of smallholder breeders.
All animals are raised with free grazing, no chemicals or forced feeding, and traceability from farm to consumer.
Looking Ahead
From a modest backyard to a $34 million (approx. S$43.5 million) farming empire, Dato Seri Ashraf Bakar now has his eyes on even bigger markets: China, India, and the Middle East, hoping to expand his model of ethical, socially-driven agribusiness to the world.
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@catalistmedia.my Dato Seri Ashraf Bakar turned backyard chaos into a $34 million livestock empire spanning 7 countries! At 17, he was thrust into adulthood—supporting his sick mother and siblings after his parents’ divorce. By 19, he was juggling businesses from selling cars to running a café—then struck gold with a bizarre problem: his backyard sheep kept multiplying. In 2015, with 30 sheep and 2 acres in Johor, he launched @AliyahRizqFarm. His genius move? “Shepherding-as-a-service”—letting people invest in livestock he raised for them. By 2025, he’d scaled to a 200-acre mega farm with 100,000 animals—camels, horses, cows, sheep—and expanded to 7 countries. Now valued at $34 million, Ashraf’s empire is heading for China, India, and the Middle East. ℹ️ All image rights belong to their respective owners; we do not claim ownership. #SuccessStory #Malaysia #AliyahRizqFarm #CatalistMedia
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