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New Straits Times
29-07-2025
- General
- New Straits Times
'Thorn' to be wild: Penang durian farmer, 'Father of Black Thorn', bags Datukship
KUALA LUMPUR: The Black Thorn, or Or Chee – a durian variety prized for its exceptional flavour – has earned a Penang farmer a Datukship. Renowned durian grower Datuk Leow Cheok Kiang was conferred the Darjah Setia Pangkuan Negeri (DSPN), which carries the title 'Datuk', in recognition of his pivotal role in promoting the Black Thorn durian in Penang and across Malaysia. He officially received the honour at Dewan Sri Pinang yesterday, in conjunction with the 84th birthday celebration of Penang Yang di-Pertua Negeri, Tun Ahmad Fuzi Abdul Razak. Leow expressed surprise and gratitude at the recognition, saying: "I didn't expect it. I'm just a small farmer planting Black Thorn durians, and to be recognised like this – it's a great honour." Now 65, Leow began working in the durian trade at the age of eight, under his father's guidance. He manages several farms and sells more than ten durian varieties – including Musang King, Red Prawn, and D14 – but says Black Thorn remains his "crown jewel" and best-seller. Leow shared that his fruits, particularly from older trees, continue to attract customers from all over the world. "My Black Thorn is well-known for its sweetness and quality. Even without much promotion, word of mouth has brought in loyal customers," he said, adding that the variety has been patented and registered with a recognised identification number. Although considering expansion – including opening a new branch in Penang – Leow remains grounded despite the honour. "Durian farming today is more challenging with climate change and pests. Expansion requires care, good manpower and the right conditions," he said. Despite growing competition from other varieties like Musang King and Tupai King, Leow is confident in Black Thorn's standing. "Different people have different tastes. The market will decide, but I believe in letting the fruit speak for itself." He also downplayed using his new Datuk title for promotional purposes. "Earning a Datukship is nice, but I want the durian to be the focus." Leow expressed thanks to the Penang state government for the recognition and to his loyal customers for their support. "It's been a long journey, and I've been blessed with good people around me. I just want everyone to enjoy good durians and be happy."
The Star
17-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Star
Getting the inside scoop on rare durian at annual treat
THE leafy surrounds of a pocket garden in George Town provided the perfect backdrop for Penang's pressmen to indulge in durian. About 50 of them tucked into well-loved varieties such as Red Prawn, Green Skin and Hor Lor during the treat organised by Batu Lancang assemblyman Ong Ah Teong. Cheers erupted when hyped variants like Musang King and Black Thorn were brought out by the vendor at the fruit stall along Jalan Anson. By the end of the event, the guests devoured over 90kg of the fruit. Fruit stall proprietor Ang Hock Leng said he also served up two equally good but less well-known varieties on the day – the Big Red and Puppet King. He said the Big Red, better known by its Chinese moniker Da Hong, got its name from its orangey-coloured flesh. 'It has a bitter but complex flavour with thick, custard-like flesh,' Ang explained, adding that it should not be confused with the Little Red or Xiao Hong which is sweeter and creamier. Ang said the Puppet King or Kong Zai Wang is actually an old cultivar previously known as Jantung. 'It was rebranded recently and even finished second in a competition last year, behind Musang King,' added the vendor who has been operating on the site since 1979. He also urged durian lovers to indulge within these few weeks as harvests will hit their peak before tapering off in the latter half of the month. Ong said this was the third year his office organised the gathering. 'These few weeks are said to be the peak of durian season in Penang, so what better way to get together? 'It's great to see everyone tucking in and enjoying themselves,' he added. Nanyang Siang Pau reporter Wong Soon Eng said, 'These are nice occasions for us to have a good time together, and the durian fruits are specially picked so the quality is there.'
New Straits Times
15-07-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
With durian deluge, trader sells spiky gold for a steal
JITRA: An excess of durians has prompted a durian trader to sell the fruit at bargain prices at his stall near the Kubang Lembu petrol station in Jitra. Khairul Anuar Ahmad, better known as Harun Buah Jitra, auctions off kampung durian and hybrid durian varieties every evening at RM50 for three baskets, with a total weight of between 15kg and 20kg. He said the move was necessary to prevent the fruits from going unsold and rotten. Khairul said the auctions are held in the evening to coincide with the after-work crowd, typically around 5pm. "I sell the durians at affordable prices so that everyone can enjoy the fruit during its peak season. "Sometimes, I move up to 10 tonnes of durian a day — all sold out within two hours. Thankfully, the demand has been very encouraging. "There's currently a large supply of kampung durians from Balik Pulau in Penang and Perak, which has led to an oversupply. "That's why I've chosen to hold auctions to clear the stock. People from all walks of life come to buy here," he said. Khairul added that many of his customers also contribute to charitable causes by purchasing durians for donation to those in need. In addition, he donates durians to orphanages and non-governmental organisations to ensure that everyone, regardless of their status, can enjoy the king of fruits. He said he sources between eight and 10 tonnes of durians daily from Penang or Perak for sale at his stall. "If customers buy in bulk, we'll throw in extra fruits, especially if it's for a kenduri or donation. "Besides kampung durian, we also sell other varieties such as IOI, Musang King, Black Thorn, Red Prawn, D2, and D24 — all at reasonable and competitive prices. Most of the durians sold here are locally grown," he said.
The Star
12-07-2025
- Politics
- The Star
130 guests feast on 300kg of durian at CM's annual treat
Chow opening durian at the event. THEY are so good that once you start, it's almost impossible to stop, says Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow about the state's durian. He sampled many of the types laid out by a Balik Pulau vendor, including the much-heralded Black Thorn and crowd-pleasers like Red Prawn, Green Skin and Capri at a durian party with the media in George Town. 'If I have to name my favourite, it would be Red Prawn, which locals call Ang Heh in Hokkien,' Chow said at the event held at Penang Youth Centre Hall in Acheh Street. 'It's sweet, creamy, has a soft texture and is affordable.' The state leader even helped open some of the fruits with the aid of a special tool and served some to the 130-strong crowd. The session also included members of the Village Community Management Council, and within an hour, they devoured an estimated 300kg of durian. Some of the durian-savvy guests were able to handpick the individual ones they wanted from crates based on size, shape and layout of thorns. Others accepted whatever was being cracked open. Chow made the rounds to ensure his guests were satisfied and posed for selfies. 'My office has been hosting these durian parties for many years – starting from when I was Tanjong MP,' he said. Also present were Chow's political secretary Lau Keng Ee and Batu Kawan parliamentary service centre director Ewe Chee Way. – By JEREMY TAN
The Star
10-07-2025
- Business
- The Star
Time to feast on durians
Look at those beauties!: Johan serving Alawiyah Zainol a variety of durians at his stall in Balik Pulau, Penang. — ZHAFARAN NASIB/The Star. BALIK PULAU: In stock market terms, it's a bear market for durians — and prices are dropping. For durian lovers, it appears to be the ideal time to 'invest' and indulge as orchards here are reporting a glut. 'There is an abundant supply of Musang King and Black Thorn varieties this season, especially from orchards in Balik Pulau. They are more affordable compared to previous weeks,' said durian seller Johan Abu Bakar. He said that grade 'A' Musang King durians only cost about RM60 per kg now, down from RM80 normally. The Black Thorn variety is available at RM75 per kg, much lower than the eye-watering RM120 before. Johan, 41, said premium varieties are abundantly available here as the season reaches the halfway mark. A check at several durian stalls here found that prices for Musang King and Black Thorn durians have dropped by about 30%. Johan said that other durian varieties have also become much less expensive. Among them are the Hor Lor, Red Prawn, Green Skin and Capri durians, with prices ranging from RM25 to RM40 per kg. Durian seller Rushisham Md Zin, 43, said the drop in prices for premium varieties was partly due to the fruit being in season in other states as well. 'Supply from Johor, Pahang, Melaka and Perak has reached Penang. So, naturally, the prices of Balik Pulau durians will come down,' he said. Penang Fruit Farmers Association president Kie Kim Hwa confirmed that durian prices have dropped significantly as the fruit season is at its peak. 'There's just so many fruits in the market right now.' Kie said that now was the best time for durian lovers to indulge in the King of Fruits, which are in abundance with 'prices cheaper everywhere'. He explained that durian sellers need to clear their stock fast or risk losing money. 'The season is expected to last until the end of the month.'
