27/05/2026

WEDNESDAY | MAY 27, 2026

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Lembu sado emerge as prized attraction in Kelantan

tourism, hospitality, retail and transport. He added that Malaysia hosted more than 400 concerts in 2024 alone, generating over RM553 million in tourism and economic impact, while the industry is projected to contribute close to RM1.7 billion to the national economy this year. He also said fans from neighbouring countries including Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, Taiwan, Hong Kong and the Philippines were increasingly travelling to Kuala Lumpur specifically for concerts, reflecting the city’s growing influence within the regional live entertainment landscape. He said the newly-launched KL Headline Season 2026 was created to place the city firmly on the global touring map and position it as a premier entertainment capital in Asia. – Bernama RM90 million to develop Orang Asli settlement CYBERJAYA: The Selangor State Development Corporation has allocated nearly RM90 million for a cluster-based solution to develop and relocate the Bukit Baja Orang Asli Community. State Housing and Culture Committee chairman Datuk Borhan Aman Shah said the initiative aims to ensure the welfare of the Orang Asli community remains protected amid the development of the Cyber Valley area. He said the state government and the corporation had considered various factors, including the duration of community settlement on the land, before deciding on the compensation and relocation arrangements. “As I have said before, we have carefully considered the interests of the Orang Asli community, including how much of the land they have worked on and how long they have been living in the area. “Among the support provided are RM7,000 for relocation and demolition costs, a 1,000-square-foot house and a RM100,000 cash goodwill payment,” he told reporters after the cheque presentation ceremony for settlers of the Bukit Baja Orang Asli village yesterday. Borhan said the corporation would also provide a special RM3 million contribution to set up a customary fund, an education fund and a village committee fund for the benefit of the Kampung Bukit Baja Orang Asli. He said in addition to the land, residents’ crops and farms were also evaluated, with compensation of up to RM200,000 per acre, depending on the size of the land and the type of crops. “I believe that from the outset, all the recipients, and the Orang Asli community more broadly, have been satisfied with the system and process we have carried out, as the calculations were done fairly.” Meanwhile, Selangor State Development Corporation deputy group CEO (Strategic Partnership) Md Kamarzan Md Rais said the corporation understands that any change involving people’s homes and way of life is never easy. – Bernama

o Colossal cattle prove boon to state livestock ecosystem and agrotourism

Today, he keeps several breeds including Charolais, Limousin, Belgian Blue, Brahman and Angus cattle. He said breeders are able to produce hybrid calves locally using imported semen straws from France for artificial insemination, with prices starting from RM60 per straw depending on breed and quality. He added that hybrid cattle could reach more than 500kg within two years, making them commercially attractive compared with traditional village breeds. However, he also said rising feed costs remain a major challenge. Zulkifli said cattle feed now costs between RM40 and RM100 per sack, while Bravo alone consumes about 6kg of bran daily in addition to grass. To manage costs, he relie on grass grown and collected around the farm. “Feed is one of the main costs. At my shed, I use more grass to offset high costs.” Beyond the Aidiladha season, Zulkifli believes lembu sado should be developed further as an agrotourism and education asset rather than purely livestock for meat production. His farm regularly receives visitors including families, school groups, veterinary teams and Universiti Malaysia Kelantan students seeking hands-on exposure to cattle rearing. Visitors have also come from Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia and several Arab countries, many drawn by videos of Bravo that were circulated online. Certain Indonesian visitors had even expressed interest in bringing his cattle into their country but logistical costs made it impractical. “The price is one

Ű BY FAIZ RUZMAN newsdesk@thesundaily.com

BACHOK: Weighing up to a tonne and fetching prices as high as RM60,000, Kelantan’s famed lembu sado are no longer just Aidiladha korban cattle but have also become prized attractions driving a booming culture of breeding, competitions and agrotourism. At a farm in Bachok, Kelantan, breeder Mohd Zulkifli Ali has already secured bookings for 22 of his giant cattle weighing between 550kg and one tonne ahead of this year’s Aidiladha season – a demand he says reflects the growing commercial and cultural value of the animals. He added that the cattle now represent far more than seasonal korban supply, forming part of Kelantan’s premium livestock ecosystem that includes breeding, livestock competitions, farm tourism and social media visibility. At the centre of attention is Bravo, a nearly one-tonne Charolais hybrid bull that has become both the pride of Zulkifli’s farm and one of Bachok’s most recognisable lembu sado attractions. Four years old and built like a boulder, Bravo responds calmly to commands from his owner, drinking on instruction, walking back into his stable when told and standing still as he is groomed. Zulkifli said the award-winning bull is his most prized animal, having won several lembu sado competitions.

Zulkifli with his prized Bravo at his agrofarm. – FAIZ RUZMAN/THESUN

or competitions could fetch between RM20,000 and RM30,000 depending on breed, size and quality. He also said Bravo has been valued at RM60,000, with offers even higher already made. Despite this, Zulkifli has no plans to sell the bull he raised from birth. “One reason people choose lembu sado for korban is because there is a lot of meat. When there is a lot of meat for Aidiladha korban , they feel it is worthwhile. “For those who (are able to) afford it, they do not only look at money. They look at satisfaction.” Zulkifli began cattle breeding in 2019 before moving seriously into hybrid cattle production in 2021. He started with seven Kedah Kelantan cattle before transitioning to Charolais and Limousin beef hybrids. His farm has since become a reference point for other breeders and agriculture agencies.

Bravo also drew large crowds at the Malaysian Agriculture, Horticulture and Agrotourism Exhibition (Maha) 2024, where visitors gathered to see the gentle giant that has also gained traction on TikTok. “If you treat them (well) every day, they feel happy. They feel they have a companion. They may not reply with words, but when they understand us, that is their communication. Their behaviour makes us feel calm,” he told theSun when met at his agrofarm in Kampung Panjang, Perupok. Zulkifli said demand for larger cattle remained strong during Aidiladha as they produce more meat for distribution in korban sacrifices. He added that korban shares at his farm are usually priced between RM1,000 and RM1,200 per portion. However, he said premium lembu sado reared for breeding, exhibitions

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thing, but the animal itself becomes the passion.”

KL set to be leading player in regional entertainment circuit KUALA LUMPUR: Kuala Lumpur is set to emerge as a leading player in the regional entertainment circuit, with the government committed to slashing red tape and accelerating approval processes for international events. She highlighted the massive economic impact of live events, citing the recent Water Festival in Kuala Lumpur, which generated RM320 million for the economy in a single weekend. venues throughout 2026. It is expected to attract an estimated 500,000 fans from Malaysia and across the region, with a lineup that includes major international acts such as Post Malone, The Weeknd, BTS, Laufey and LANY. Meanwhile, Live Nation Malaysia He added that Malaysia’s live entertainment industry must also work together to strengthen the international perception of Kuala Lumpur as a reliable concert destination.

He also said the issue was not solely about facilities, as the city already had the necessary infrastructure to host large-scale productions, although some venues required upgrading to meet current fan and production expectations. “Fans are paying a lot for tickets today. They expect better seating, better views and proper facilities. So, venue maintenance and upgrades are important.” Paramananthan said the live entertainment industry should no longer be viewed purely as entertainment, adding that concerts generated significant economic spillover across sectors including

“The return for our Malaysian economy came in from international visitors, about 100,000 of them for the Water Festival, and they spent about RM255 million just for that weekend. For our local guests, 150,000 of them spent about RM64 million.” She added that to further lower the barrier for organisers, the government has already reduced and slashed deposits for local shows, concerts as well as stage and cultural performances. Live Nation Malaysia in collaboration with PR Worldwide, Tourism Malaysia and CelcomDigi, is expected to bring 25 international music performances across six major

Federal Territories Minister Hannah Yeoh said she has directed Kuala Lumpur City Hall to facilitate and speed up applications to ensure the capital remains a preferred destination for global industry players. “Time is money, speed is the currency. And this is how I want to drive City Hall forward in facilitating approvals when they’re dealing with applications. We cannot just sit and wait for things to happen, we have to facilitate and move the file,” she said at the launch of KL Headline Season 2026 held at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre on Monday.

managing director Paramananthan Rajagopal said Kuala Lumpur already possesses many of the key elements needed to become a major touring destination in Asia, including infrastructure, passionate fans and a strategic location, but improvements in coordination, venue readiness and industry support remain crucial. “Actually, Kuala Lumpur has everything. Maybe even more than some other cities, but what we need now is coordination. “Events cannot be done by one person alone. Everybody has to coordinate to make a show happen.”