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🇸🇬 Singapore /Elections & Politics

Johor polls: Durian makes delightful appearance in election campaign

From The Straits Times · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Durian, the 'king of fruits,' is making a unique appearance in the Johor election campaign in Malaysia, served at political rallies and community events.
  • Events featuring durian have drawn large crowds, with hundreds of kilograms distributed at some gatherings, including those attended by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.
  • Johor is a significant contributor to Malaysia's durian industry, accounting for over one-third of the country's cultivation and production.

The 'king of fruits,' durian, is adding a distinctive local flavor to the ongoing Johor election campaign in Malaysia. The pungent fruit has become a surprising draw at political rallies and community events across the state, delighting attendees.

I came with my friends to listen to the speeches and I was surprised that durian was served. It made the evening even more enjoyable.

— Shelah NadarajanA local resident expressing her delight at being served durian at a political rally in Jementah.

In Jementah, Segamat, a Barisan Nasional ceramah (rally) surprised some 1,000 attendees by serving approximately 300kg of durian. "It made the evening even more enjoyable," said local resident Shelah Nadarajan, who was treated to the fruit at a political gathering for the first time. Another attendee, M. Mano, called it a "pleasant surprise."

I came for the ceramah but getting to enjoy durian was a pleasant surprise.

— M. ManoAnother attendee at a political rally in Jementah, commenting on the unexpected offering of durian.

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim also joined a "Jom! Makan Durian" (Let's Eat Durian) session in Segamat, following the launch of a Madani Kita program. Hundreds flocked to the gathering, eager to sample the fruit. Durian has also appeared at Pakatan Harapan ceramahs, with local traders sponsoring the fruit for attendees. Deputy Agriculture and Food Security Minister Chan Foong Hin highlighted Johor's importance to the nation's durian industry during one such event.

Johor contributes more than one-third of Malaysia’s durian cultivation area and production, making it one of the country’s most important agricultural states.

— Chan Foong HinDeputy Agriculture and Food Security Minister Chan Foong Hin speaking about Johor's significant role in Malaysia's durian industry.

Johor contributes more than one-third of Malaysia's durian cultivation area and production, according to Agriculture Department figures. This makes the state a crucial player in the industry, often overshadowing the perception that Pahang is the largest producer. In Johor Baru, a durian fest for BN's Puteri Wangsa candidate Teow Chia Ling saw about 300 people turn up for 1.1 tonnes of fresh durians, including popular varieties like Musang King, D101, and Red Prawn.

Malaysians love durian, so we decided to share the king of fruits with them and I took the opportunity to chat with them.

— Teow Chia LingBN's Puteri Wangsa candidate Teow Chia Ling explaining the rationale behind hosting a durian fest during her campaign.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by The Straits Times. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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