SARATOK: It’s fruit galore in towns such as Betong, Spaoh, Debak, Pusa, and especially in Sarikei in recent times.
The most spectacular displays can be found along the fringes of Sarikei.
Even beyond the main intersections, the abundance of fruits is astonishing.
Traveling from Betong to Sarikei, fruits cane be found everywhere—especially now, with prices dropping sharply.
For example, durians can be bought for as low as RM1 each, making it a haven for local fruit enthusiasts.
Suria Azmie, a resident of Kampung Semarang, observed that this year’s fruit season mirrors the abundance seen in 2019.
“The king of fruits — durian — along with rambutan, mangosteen, mawang, dabai, langsat, terap, bananas, and others, have flooded cities and villages alike. Since last December, durian has truly taken the spotlight, making it heaven for mothers like me,” she added.
Suria explained that with durians being so affordable, many people are processing them into preserved foods for future use.
“For instance, I like to make durian jam (serawa durian) and tempoyak (fermented durian). These are perfect for storage and can be enjoyed when durians are out of season. Besides keeping some for the family, others sell processed durian for extra income,” she said.
Meanwhile, Dayang Madinah Abang Yaman from Betong said she buys durians almost every day, sometimes spending up to RM100.
“I usually buy durians around Betong, Spaoh, and Debak because they are so cheap. People often tease me about buying a lot, but I love seeing my family enjoy them,” she said with a laugh.
Dayang added that the fruit abundance at year’s end and the start of the new year is something she always looks forward to.
Similarly, Rohana Julai from Debak prefers shopping for fruits in Sarikei town.
“Anyone who visits the edges of Sarikei in the evening will see how abundant the fruits are. The stalls stretch for about two kilometres, all filled with fruits,” she said.
“It’s truly satisfying to shop for durians there. The prices are affordable, the fruits are fresh and beautiful, and the choices are plenty. The quality rarely disappoints,” she added.
Rohana, a dabai enthusiast, said she is willing to buy up to 4–5 kilograms of dabai at a time.
She also praised the quality of durians from Debak, describing them as just as impressive as those from other areas.
