Malaysia
Singapore
Thailand
I bring sad tidings. For those born in the 90s and earlier, you are probably very familiar with Lee Biscuits. You might know their most famous confectionery, the Marie biscuits, simple biscuits perfect with a nice cup of coffee. Their factory at Pontian, Johor, will close by 31 Oct 2026. While their treats will still be in circulation, we don’t know for certain how long. China Press reported that the factory has no other production plans.
How about a brief history of the man behind the biscuit? Founder Lee Kong Chian was known as a philanthropist. He spent a large chunk of his fortune funding better education, social welfare and medical research. He ran the brand in Singapore for 21 years before production moved to Malaysia in 1955. Their biscuits catered to the young and the old. In fact, one of my favourites was the iced gem biscuits. That crunchy, sweet swirl at the top with the buttery biscuit base was oh-so-addictive.
On the other hand, some of my aunts and uncles would have shelves full of Marie biscuits. They would dip them in their, often super sweet, kopi or Milo. Some of their other biscuits include the lemon sandwich biscuits, which have a sweet lemon-flavoured filling. The cream cracker is also a crowd favourite. This might seem gross, but as a kid I microwaved American cheese between 2 cream crackers, which was surprisingly good in a pinch.
While this is truly sad news, it comes as no surprise. Suppliers and customers were reportedly told in Sep 2026, and China Press reported that staff are being laid off. Reports from the New Straits Times also mention that the move is part of a restructuring. The group will reportedly focus on core holdings like rubber and palm oil.
Regardless of where they’re headed, Lee Biscuits have cemented their legacy as a brand that gave us affordable, tasty and nostalgic treats. They kept us going throughout the day. I have worked in many a warehouse, and let me tell you, there is at least 1 tin from Lee Biscuits in every one. While they are still on the shelves, I intend to buy some for old times’ sake.
