Pahang declares Raub village as home of Musang King

Sungai Ruan named as home to the country's 'king of durians', as part of Visit Pahang Year 2017 promotion.

PETALING JAYA: Who knew that the durian would put a village in the town of Raub, Pahang on the map for those who love the fruit in Malaysia, as well as among people from Singapore to China.

Sungai Ruan has now been thrust into the limelight not just for having a good crop of durians, but it has been officially named as the home of the country’s “king of durians”, the golden Musang King durian, Straits Times reported.

This is the recognition from the Pahang state government as part of its Visit Pahang Year 2017 promotion of eco-tourism destinations in the state.

Raub is already famous for its durian orchards, and this accolade only enhances the reputation further, for the good of the state as well.

Last Saturday, at a special ceremony in Raub, a Chinese envoy based in Malaysia told the media that Chinese President Xi Jinping had sampled the Musang King in 2013 during his official visit to Malaysia and found the fruit “tasty and extraordinary”.

“This species of durian definitely has the potential to go big and create a niche market in China,” Chinese economic and commerce attache Shi Ziming was quoted as saying by the Singapore daily.

Meanwhile, MCA vice-president Chew Mei Fun was also reported to have said that the income of durian farmers in Raub has grown tremendously over the past several years with the price of the Musang King increasing from about RM5 to RM12 per kilogramme, to as high as RM100 per kg now.

“The Musang King will now be an icon for Sungai Ruan to attract more visitors,” Chew was quoted as saying by ST. - FMT