04/06/2025

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Durian season draws crowds over school break in Penang

Bountiful yields from marine fisheries in 2024 PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia’s marine fisheries production reached 1.42 million metric tonnes last year, supported by 112,344 marine fishermen, while aquaculture yielded 510,315 metric tonnes from 20,557 farmers. The Fisheries Department said 9,565 inland fishermen contributed 7,497 metric tonnes last year. It also said the overall fisheries industry contributed 0.7% to Malaysia’s GDP, with total production reaching 1.94 million metric tonnes and valued at RM17.9 billion. “Malaysians consume an average of 44.7kg of fish per person annually, more than double the global average of 19kg,” it added. The country’s fish self-sufficiency rate stood at a high 90.7%, underscoring fish as the primary source of animal protein in the Malaysian diet. In a statement marking the 25th anniversary of its collaboration with WorldFish, the department said the partnership has enhanced technical expertise, driven innovation and bolstered Malaysia’s position as a global leader in the aquatic food sector. “Among the major milestones of this collaboration is the implementation of the Genetic Improvement of Farmed Tilapia project, which has positioned Malaysia as a global hub for the species,” it said. The initiative has enhanced the resilience and productivity of tilapia, contributing to national food security and aligning with Sustainable Development Goal Two: Zero Hunger. – Bernama Sufficient livestock for Aidiladha rites PUTRAJAYA: A total of 38,804 cows and buffaloes, along with 30,167 goats and sheep, will be available for ibadah korban (sacrificial rituals) during Aidiladha, according to the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry. The ministry yesterday said the estimated demand for sacrificial rituals is 34,451 cows and buffaloes, and 22,453 goats and sheep. It expects the livestock supply for this year’s Aidiladha celebration across Malaysia to be sufficient. Based on statistics from the Veterinary Services Department as of March, the local supply of cows and buffaloes stands at 35,581, with an additional 3,223 being imported. “For goats and sheep, local stocks amount to 26,845, supplemented by 3,322 imported animals,” the ministry added. It said for the purpose of sacrificial slaughter during the Aidiladha celebration this Saturday, the department has issued licences to 40 private abattoirs across Peninsular Malaysia, in addition to operating 27 government-run facilities. It said individuals intending to conduct slaughter in mosques, schools, residential areas or other public spaces are required to obtain a slaughter permit and submit the necessary documentation. – Bernama

tourists from within and outside the country, including Singapore, where school holidays have also begun. “Visitors start queueing at Penang Hill as early as 6am although the funicular train service only starts at 6.30am. The number of visitors has also doubled – 8,183 on Saturday and 9,396 on Sunday – compared with around 4,000 on regular days.” Apart from the congested roads to Balik Pulau, the Penang Bridge and major roads around the island, especially in George Town and Batu Ferringhi, also faced heavy traffic, Bernama reported. Locations such as Chew Jetty (also known as Tan Jetty), a small fishing village built over water, Armenian Street, Penang Hill and Padang Kota are among the major tourist hotspots in Penang.

some hotels even offering durian feast packages at orchards or in open-air settings on hotel grounds. “The price for durian feast packages at orchards is cheaper, between RM80 and RM100 per person, because the hotels collaborate directly with orchard owners, allowing tourists to enjoy durians at the farms or in open areas at the hotel, such as by the beach or poolside,” he said. Tourists are also taking the opportunity to enjoy other attractions on the Pearl of the Orient, such as nasi kandar , street food, beaches and popular resorts. State Tourism and Creative Economy executive councillor Wong Hon Wai said Penang, especially the resort area of Penang Hill, continues to draw crowds of

Rohaimi, 38, said she and her family travelled from Negeri Sembilan to Penang over the weekend to enjoy the “king of fruits” in Balik Pulau. She said the taste of Balik Pulau durians is distinctive, with a softer texture and richer flavour compared with durians from other states, and her three children love the fruit. “Coming directly to Balik Pulau is more satisfying because you get to enjoy really fresh durians, some of which just fallen from the trees, with unique flavours. They are cheaper and more authentic than those sold in other states,” she said. Malaysian Association of Hotels Penang Chapter chairman Datuk Tony Goh said hotel bookings across the state have been near full capacity since Friday, particularly in Batu Ferringhi and George Town, with

GEORGE The much-anticipated durian season, falling during school holidays, has once again made Penang a magnet for crowds. Thousands of visitors from across the country, as well as foreign tourists, have been flocking to the state since Thursday, the first day of the school break, with the numbers increasing steadily. A Bernama survey found that not only were roads leading to Balik Pulau, an iconic destination for durian lovers in Penang, heavily congested, nearly all major tourist spots, such as Penang Hill, Padang Kota and Batu Ferringhi, were also packed with visitors. According to durian seller Ahmad Salim Suhaimi, 45, the season for the “king of fruits” in the state began earlier this month and will last until August, with Balik Pulau continuing to be a hotspot due to its reputation as a producer of premium-quality durians. “Since Thursday, we have been receiving durian lovers, with the peak occurring from Saturday until Monday. More visitors, both from within the country and from abroad, particularly Singapore, have come here to buy and eat durians, causing traffic congestion from Balik Pulau to Teluk Bahang. “Although the durian season has started, the supply is yet to be in full swing. We expect the supply to increase in the next one to two weeks. Still, many are visiting now because of the long weekend and school holidays,” he said, adding that he is able to sell hundreds of premium durians daily. Durian lover Siti Hasmuna congestion from Balik Pulau to Teluk Bahang TOWN: o Local and foreign tourists flock to island, causing traffic

Siti said the taste of Balik Pulau durians is distinctive, with a softer texture and richer flavour compared with durians from other states. – ADIB RAWI YAHYA/THESUN

More rural markets to be built in Sabah, Sarawak KOTA KINABALU: The Entrepreneur and Cooperatives Development Ministry will construct more tamu desa (traditional rural markets) in Sabah and Sarawak this year to enhance rural market facilities and empower entrepreneurs in both states. 98 tamu desa across Sabah and Sarawak. This year, with an allocation of RM20 million, I hope the same number or more can be built,” he said in a statement. mothers and small entrepreneurs who conduct business weekly. They not only provide a more comfortable space for selling, but could also be used for various community activities,” he said. According to him, the requirements for tamu desa

carried over from last year that could not be implemented. The amount did not include applications from Sarawak. “Although our budget is limited, what is important is the continuity of what was implemented last year. What we started last year will be continued and expanded this year. I am confident that this programme would be among the key inputs of the ministry in the 13th Malaysia Plan (2026–2030),” he said. The tamu desa initiative was part of the government’s commitment to pay special attention to the needs of rural Sabah and Sarawak, in line with the nation’s inclusive development agenda, he added. – Bernama

He was speaking after officiating at the Kampung Pinasang Tamu Darat Kaamatan Festival in Kota Belud and launching the village’s tamu desa on Monday, which was completed this year at a cost of RM250,000. Ewon said 14 tamu desa were built in the Kota Belud area, part of the 98 premises completed across Sabah and Sarawak last year. “I have been informed by village leaders that these premises greatly benefit the residents, especially

development vary depending on the location and scope of work determined by the district office, whether for new construction or upgrading, involving costs of between RM100,000 and RM300,000. He said as of May, applications for new construction or upgrading of tamu desa premises in Sabah reached RM40 million. “This included applications

Its minister Datuk Ewon Benedick said the Madani government, through the ministry, has allocated RM20 million to implement the Tamu Desa Development Project this year. He added that this included an additional RM10 million announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim at the Madani Rakyat Programme in Tawau last month. “Last year, we built and upgraded