Mak Besar bazaars are now a staple of Singapore’s event scene, drawing tens of thousands to venues like Suntec City, Singapore EXPO, and Our Tampines Hub. But behind the vibrant lights and festive atmosphere is the heartwarming story of Haryani Othman — a former TV personality who transformed her passion for happiness and connection into one of Singapore’s most beloved events brands.
A Life of Creativity and Service
Before founding Mak Besar, Haryani Othman had an eclectic career. She worked as a legal executive, comedian, television actress, and producer. Her diverse experience gave her a deep understanding of people, storytelling, and what truly makes an event memorable.
Despite her success in media and law, Haryani always felt drawn to doing something that could bring people together in a joyful way. That’s how the seed of Mak Besar was planted — not as a business idea, but as a calling.
The Birth of Mak Besar
In 2018, after a difficult experience with an events company, Haryani decided to start her own business. With encouragement from friends and family, she teamed up with long-time collaborators Firdaus “Fid” Faisal and Lina Liyana Samsi to launch Mak Besar — a name that affectionately refers to a “beloved big aunt” in Malay, and also Haryani’s nickname.
The first event, Grand Bite at Grandstand, was a food bazaar featuring over 100 vendors. It drew a crowd of more than 50,000 people and proved to be the breakthrough they needed.
“The people who worked for me for free – we got to pay all of them from what we earned, and more,” Haryani proudly recalled.
Community First: The Mak Besar Philosophy
Mak Besar isn’t just about stalls and sales. Haryani sees it as a platform to uplift Singapore’s small businesses and home-based entrepreneurs, especially from the Malay community.
Mothers selling handmade cookies, youths launching fashion labels, and fathers running food stalls — all find a place at a Mak Besar event.
“The Malay community is full of entrepreneurs. I wanted to give all of them a platform,” she said.
Resilience During the Pandemic
When COVID-19 hit in 2020 and Ramadan bazaars were cancelled, Mak Besar pivoted quickly. Haryani and her team launched Mak Besar Garage, an e-commerce and livestreaming platform where vendors paid a small fee to have their products promoted live on Instagram and TikTok.
Haryani streamed for 12 hours daily, sampling food and trying on clothes to support vendors during lockdowns. Her efforts helped many businesses stay afloat and even thrive.
Growth and Innovation
Today, Mak Besar has a team of 10 full-time staff and over 20 part-timers. It has hosted more than 15 major consumer events since 2019, each drawing 60,000 to 70,000 visitors.
Recent highlights include:
- Grand Market at Suntec (Jan–Feb 2025)
- Ramadan Bazaar at Our Tampines Hub (March 2025)
- FUNWORLD (May 2025) – a family-themed bazaar with bouncy castles, live youth performances, and interactive activities for children.
Each event is unique, guided by real-time feedback from visitors and vendors.
“To some people, a bazaar is just a bazaar. But to me, Mak Besar is always evolving. I’m constantly listening and adapting to what the community needs,” said Haryani.
Final Thoughts
Mak Besar is more than an event brand — it’s a movement powered by joy, resilience, and community spirit. Through her leadership and empathy, Haryani Othman has proven that when you lead with heart, success follows.
For Singaporeans looking for their next festive fix, a Mak Besar bazaar is more than a shopping trip — it’s a celebration of community.
