Situated on a boardwalk facing a marina of expensive yachts, The Loaf in Telaga Harbour, Langkawi, was the bakery chain's first outlet, known for its Japanese-style crispy croissants, cranberry cheese buns and tarts.

The brainchild of Malaysian former prime minister Mahathir Mohamad, the 12-year-old lifestyle bakery and bistro was doing a roaring business serving breakfast and teatime crowds before it abruptly closed its doors last week, along with 11 other outlets in Malaysia.