THE Penang government expects durian prices to continue climbing as the “King of Fruits” remains popular among visitors, especially Chinese nationals.

Tourists from China are known to fly to Malaysia, including Penang, during the durian season to enjoy the fruit.

State agriculture and agro-based industries exco Dr Afif Bahardin (PKR-Seberang Jaya) said durian prices would continue to be affected due to rising demand from Chinese visitors.

“Right now, Prime Minister Najib Razak is also busy promoting durians overseas.

“The question now is whether locals will still be able to afford the fruit, when ‘branded’ varieties like Musang King and Ang Heh have become expensive.

“Every year, the state allocation for the annual durian fest is never enough. We don’t even have to do much promotion. Many come because the durians are free,” he said during question time at the state legislative assembly today.

R.S.N. Rayer (DAP-Seri Delima) asked if locals could be given the chance to buy the fruit at lower prices compared with foreigners, like how they could buy Penang Hill funicular train tickets at much lower fares that those that international visitors were charged.

He said few could afford to enjoy “branded” durians, adding that the regular kampung variety did not taste as good.

“I blame Najib and the federal government for exporting durians, making the fruit more expensive for locals.

“Everything is already more expensive because of the goods and services tax and the rising cost of living.”

Rayer then suddenly shouted at the Barisan Nasional opposition in the House, saying “kalau berani, bangun” (stand up if you dare), as if challenging them to defend the BN federal administration.

In September, Najib had boasted about his role in getting durians to China.

On Friday, at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation leaders’ summit in Danang, Vietnam, he again spoke of how the nation’s durians had shot to international stardom, especially in China, in explaining how globalisation had benefited Malaysia.

Najib reportedly said durians, which used to sell for about RM4 to RM5 per kilogramme, had become a big hit among the Chinese, who were willing to pay more than RM130 per kilogramme.

“Durian is our form of caviar. It tastes like heaven, smells like hell,” he was quoted as saying in a New Straits Times report.

Pakatan Harapan has long blamed the federal government under BN for the rising cost of living, which the opposition says is due to GST, which was implemented in April 2015.

Now, some of the opposition pact’s reps are also blaming BN for the durian price hike.

Speaker Law Choo Kiang (PKR-Bukit Tambun) immediately told Rayer to sit down when the latter began raising his voice.

“That is enough. I have told you to sit down. Otherwise, I will tell you to leave the House.”

Dr Afif said durians, namely the “branded” and premium ones, were considered a luxury.

“I think it is better to focus our efforts on helping the people (in other more pressing matters),” he said, responding to Rayer’s suggestion.

He said one way to bring down durian prices was by increasing supply of the fruit in Penang.

“Prices are different, depending on location. Some sellers on the island charge more than RM100 per kilogramme for ‘branded’ durians, but you may be able to get them at about half the price on the mainland.

“I believe locals also know not to buy durians from sellers who charge high prices. That is business.” – November 13, 2017.