07/05/2026

THURSDAY | MAY 7, 2026

/thesuntelegram FOLLOW / Malaysian Paper

ON TELEGRAM m RAM

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Harumanis ripe for take-off

lifestyle rather than any specific health regimen. She has long favoured dishes like singgang fish (oil-free fish soup or broth) and ulam , which she has eaten since childhood. “We know singgang is nutritious because it uses healthy ingredients like fish, turmeric, ginger and asam keping (dried tamarind slices). “It’s simply boiled, so that may be one reason I’ve stayed healthy. “But above all, my health is a gift from God, and I’m grateful for it every day.” – Bernama 75,000 families receive aid from Zakat Selangor SHAH ALAM: Lembaga Zakat Selangor (Zakat Selangor) recorded zakat distribution totalling RM1.33 billion last year, with more than 60% channelled to the hardcore poor and poor, involving over 75,000 families across the state. Zakat Selangor said in a statement that the performance was supported by zakat collection amounting to RM1.31 billion, enabling assistance to be delivered continuously through various structured interventions. It also identified more than 14,000 hardcore poor and poor families as the new asnaf (recipients of zakat), following the strengthening of assessment processes and expanded outreach to groups previously unidentified. According to the statement, the determination of asnaf s tatus is based on the had kifayah (adequacy limit) calculation, a minimum sufficiency threshold that takes into account basic household needs such as food, shelter, education, healthcare and current cost of living. In a related development, it said more than 2,800 families exited the cycle of poverty through continuous intervention programmes, reflecting the effectiveness of a distribution approach that not only provided welfare assistance but also emphasised long-term empowerment. “The Petaling district recorded the highest number of hardcore poor and poor families with nearly 13,600 families, followed by Klang with more than 12,600 families and Hulu Langat at around 11,700 families, reflecting the concentration of poverty challenges in densely populated areas. “This situation reflects urban socioeconomic challenges that require more comprehensive and targeted intervention approaches, in line with Zakat Selangor’s ongoing efforts to strengthen support for those in need,” the statement said. Zakat Selangor said it would continue to enhance the distribution of basic aid while expanding development initiatives such as skills training and income enhancement programmes to help the asnaf escape poverty sustainably. The institution also reaffirmed its commitment to carrying out zakat collection and distribution with transparency and integrity, in line with Islamic principles, while supporting the state government’s efforts to empower asnaf development. – Bernama

o Growth potential for premium mango strong despite fake fruits and seasonal limits, says entrepreneur

Ű BY QIRANA NABILLA MOHD RASHIDI newsdesk@thesundaily.com

PETALING JAYA: Malaysia’s prized Harumanis mango industry is poised for significant growth over the next decade, driven by surging demand and vast untapped export potential even as supply struggles to keep pace and counterfeit products threaten consumer confidence. Industry players say the premium fruit, synonymous with Perlis, remains underexploited in both domestic and international markets, signalling strong headroom for expansion. Harumanis entrepreneur Muhammad Abqari Yusof, 33, said demand is expected to rise sharply over the next five to 10 years, underpinned by the fruit’s distinct flavour and limited availability. “At present, the fruit has not yet been exported on a large scale and even local demand has not been fully met. This indicates that the market opportunity ahead remains wide and promising,” he said. However, he warned that the long-standing issue of counterfeit Harumanis continues to undermine trust in the market. “Customers often ask about the differences and why fake products exist. Some dishonest sellers take advantage of the situation.” Muhammad Abqari said two main forms of deception persist. The first involves mislabelling where imported mangoes from countries such as Thailand and Cambodia which are similar in appearance are falsely marketed as Harumanis from Perlis. The second involves quality manipulation, where unripe fruits are harvested and sold prematurely. “This results in a sour taste, leading to complaints and damaging the reputation of genuine Harumanis, as consumers may believe they have been misled.”

Noor Asyikin said product diversification is key to unlocking the full commercial potential of Harumanis beyond its short harvest season. – ADAM AMIR HAMZAH/THESUN

He added that such practices have left some consumers sceptical, underscoring the need for stronger public awareness and industry-wide efforts to educate buyers on identifying authentic Harumanis. Muhammad Abqari also explained that the fruit’s premium pricing reflects its labour-intensive cultivation process. “Unlike more common varieties, Harumanis requires meticulous management – from maintaining soil health and nurturing trees to ensuring quality flowering and producing high-grade fruit. The process is labour-intensive and incurs high costs.” Compounding the challenge is its highly seasonal nature. Harumanis is harvested only once a year, typically between March and May, with a production window lasting about two to two-and-a-half months. “Harumanis does not have overlapping harvest periods in other

are faster and more cost-effective than traditional methods. Despite her demanding routine, Jawiah manages her time well, balancing farm work with household responsibilities and caring for her husband, who has several health issues. “In the mornings, I tap rubber until nearly noon. After asar prayers I head to the padi fields and vegetable garden. After zohor or at night, I give massages if there are customers.” Remarkably, Jawiah remains free of major illnesses and credits her simple year,” she said. Noor Asyikin said she began her business in 2023 with cordial and juice products before expanding into other offerings, driven by encouraging customer response. “The products are made using pure Harumanis mango, which contributes to their strong aroma and distinctive flavour. “However, prices are slightly higher than market alternatives due to the high cost of raw fruit, with some products such as jam priced at nearly double,” she said. Currently, the products are distributed mainly within Perlis through hotels, retail outlets and online platforms. “Sales have been very positive, showing steady and encouraging growth year after year,” she said, adding that Harumanis-based products hold strong potential for expansion both domestically and internationally.

she has no intention of slowing down as long as she remains fit and able. “If I choose to stop, my husband, Noh Ismail, 89, and I can still get by with support from our children. But I don’t want to depend entirely on them. They have their own families and responsibilities.” Jawiah said she handles most of the work herself, including cultivating a two-hectare padi field and tapping rubber on a 1.4ha smallholding. However, over the past two years, she has hired workers to maintain the farms using drones, which she says regions. Once the season ends, consumers must wait until the following year,” he said. Looking ahead, he urged industry players to raise quality standards to safeguard the fruit’s reputation, while calling on consumers to remain vigilant against counterfeit or substandard products. Meanwhile, C’Manis Marketing entrepreneur Noor Asyikin Osman, 52, said product diversification is key to unlocking the fruit’s full commercial potential beyond its short harvest season. She said value-added offerings such as Harumanis chilli sauce, jam and cordial are gaining traction among consumers. “The inspiration came from its seasonal nature. Harumanis is only available once a year, so consumers can enjoy it only for a limited period. “By developing value-added products, customers are now able to enjoy Harumanis throughout the

Great-grandmother works three jobs to keep active JERTIH: The tireless work ethic of 71 year-old Jawiah Abd Rahman, fondly known as Mok Teh Semek, continues to inspire her community, especially the younger generation. keeps herself busy because she believes staying active is the key to remaining healthy and energetic in her later years.

“I started taking on all these jobs after my first husband passed away when I was 45. At the time, I had to work hard to support my 12 children. Over time, I grew used to working and even came to enjoy it. I’m not the type who can sit still – if I don’t work, I feel unwell, like I have a fever or body aches.” Jawiah acknowledged that her children often worry about her and have urged her to stop working, but

A resident of Kampung Tok Has, she says “rest” has never been part of her vocabulary. Since her youth, she has taken on a range of jobs – from cultivating padi and tapping rubber to growing vegetables and working as a masseuse – and remains active to this day. The grandmother of 45 and great grandmother of six adds that she