12/08/2025

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Association vows to put M’sian durians on global map

Penang ramps up EV talent push to meet market demand BUKIT MERTAJAM: Penang aims to enhance efforts in developing local talent for the electric vehicle (EV) industry to meet increasing market demand. State Infrastructure, Transport and Digital Committee chairman Zairil Khir Johari said this is important to ensure the industry ecosystem, which requires skilled automotive mechanics and engineers to handle EVs, could be sustained. “We hope that collaboration between government or private skills training centres in the industry would continue to be strengthened so that we could nurture many of our young people in the field. “This is a good effort and would provide opportunities to young people interested in the industry as there are not many training centres of this kind, yet the industry’s demand for such talent is very high,” he said on Sunday. He was speaking after witnessing the signing of a memorandum of agreement between EV PLUS Mobility Solutions and SLC Auto Academy to advance green mobility and talent development. Zairil said the collaboration between the parties is an essential step in positioning Penang towards becoming a green and sustainable state. He said this is in line with the government’s policy to promote EV usage and low-carbon initiatives. “This is crucial as it would provide training and employment opportunities for young people interested in the automotive industry, especially in the EV sector, particularly at a time when Malaysia is actively promoting EV adoption. “I believe it is important for us to develop talent that matches market demand,” he added. SLC Auto Academy marketing manager Shahrirl Anuar Shah Abdullah said their courses for students, who are mostly school dropouts, would enable them to acquire skills in technical and vocational education and training. He said the courses are in various automotive fields, including EV, at the certificate level for two years and diploma level for three years, for students aged between 16 and 23. “In terms of job opportunities, they are indeed wide-ranging and our students secure jobs immediately upon completing their courses. “Some have been offered employment by companies even while still studying due to their high skill levels in the field,” he said. – Bernama 2025 in the Capacity Building category. “The international recognition demonstrates the government’s commitment to ensuring no community is left out of the nation’s digitalisation drive, in line with the Sabah Maju Jaya policy,” he added. During the visit, Fahmi also announced a series of follow-up visits to Pulau Banggi to look into other aspects of development to ensure digital progress in the area could be fully utilised by the local population. – Bernama

o By leveraging the unique taste and quality, members aim to win over international consumers

Ű BY MAHADHIR MONIHULDIN newsdesk@thesundaily.com

PETALING JAYA: From kampung orchards to the world stage, Malaysia’s durian is gearing up for its biggest performance yet and the Durian Manufacturers Association (DMA) wants to make sure the king of fruits wears the crown everywhere. The association has renewed its pledge to put Malaysian durians on the global map, showcasing their diversity while promoting fair trade for the pungent delicacy. DMA president Eric Chan said the association has 18 members, comprising durian farmers and product manufacturers who collectively command 75% of the local market. “Uniting has not been an easy journey but we have persevered. “We understand the importance of nurturing our durian sector not just for personal gain, but also for the nation’s growth. “Former rivals have become trusted allies, working together to advance the industry over the past decade,” he told theSun . Looking ahead, he said DMA is determined to make Malaysian durian a global icon, with five key pillars guiding its efforts. The pillars include empowering growers with knowledge, resources and sustainable practices to ensure premium-quality produce, championing environmentally friendly farming methods and driving global recognition for Malaysian durians. Chan added that DMA advocates fair trade practices, greater consumer awareness, and innovation through research and development. “We are focused on expanding the export market for Malaysian durians. “By leveraging the unique taste and quality, we aim to win over international consumers and cement Malaysian durians as the preferred choice worldwide,” he said. For those selling durian locally, the rewards can be just as sweet. Durian seller Romi-Hidayat Zainintawa, 34, who runs three Durian Rizky outlets, said between 500 and 1,000 customers visit his stores daily, especially in the evenings after work. “I am happy with sales this season but I want improved and better sales for the next season in December.” His stores stock all the local favourites – namely Musang King , Black Thorn , Udang

A group of Malaysian bikers enjoying durian in Thailand. – MASRY CHE ANI/THESUN

Merah , IOI , Hajar Asma , D-24 , Kampung Kahwin and more. Musang King and Udang Merah are customer favourites, with Udang Merah priced between RM25 and RM30 per kilo and Musang King fetching between RM25 and RM45 per kilo. Romi sources five to 10 tonnes of durian daily from farms in Johor, Perak and Selangor, earning between RM5,000 and RM10,000 a day during the season. Out of season, his stores sell durian cendol using frozen leftovers, ensuring nothing goes to waste and keeping customers happy. When asked what makes Malaysian durians special, Romi pointed to Musang King’ s world-class reputation. “Our soil is perfect for growing Musang King. They always turn out rich, delicious and appetising, perhaps even more so than in other countries,” he said. For durian lovers, the passion is personal. Haiqal Ilham expressed hope to see durian continue to thrive as a beloved local treat and gain global appreciation. “I have loved durian since childhood because my whole family enjoys it. We are always first in line when the season arrives,” he said. His top picks are Musang King and Black Thorn , which he says taste fresher and more flavourful here than anywhere else. “I want Malaysian durian to be recognised globally so that people everywhere can appreciate just how amazing it is,” he said.

Sabah information centre boosts digital economic development KUDAT: The National Information Dissemination Centre (Nadi) in Pulau Banggi here would spur digital economic development in rural Sabah, said Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil. efforts to bring Sabah into the digital era by providing internet access, digital skills training and access to information to rural communities that have long been left behind in the development mainstream,” he said when visiting the centre on Sunday. access of up to 100mbps, opening up new opportunities for the local population in the digital economy. “With this facility, the youth of Pulau Banggi no longer need to migrate to Kota Kinabalu or Kuala Lumpur as they could utilise their digital expertise to earn an income here,” he said.

He said the initiative provides high-speed internet access, which would help reduce the migration of local residents to major cities and improve the standard of living of the community. “The centre plays an important role in our

The island is home to some 20,000 residents whose main economic activities are fishing as well as oil palm and rubber cultivation. Fahmi said the Starlink technology used at the centre provides high-speed internet

According to Fahmi, the Pulau Banggi Nadi initiative, which is part of the Nadi Digital Inclusive Project, was named the winner at the World Summit on the Information Society Prizes