Durian seems to be a serious affair for Malaysians here in Melbourne.
Over 1,000 Malaysians flocked 555 St Kilda Rd, SP Setia’s picturesque property in Melbourne, to grab a taste of the fresh durian sent in from Malaysia at the Durian Fiesta on last Monday.
The 600 packs of 7 to 8 durian pieces were distributed in plates of 2, one Musang King and one D24, and were all finished in about an hour. The consignment was sent in by the Consulate General of Malaysia to Melbourne with support from the Ministry of Agriculture, Malaysia.
“For Malaysians, durian is more than just a fruit, it is our national delicacy,” said Datuk Seri Anifah Aman, Malaysian Foreign Minister, who also attended the Durian Fiesta.
Anifah was delighted to see such a large number of Malaysians enjoying themselves at the fiesta and thanked the Australian Government for granting market access for Malaysian agricultural produce such as durians.
“The durian is nice but not enough! Should get more!” said Zeeno Yusoff from Kuala Lumpur.
Comments from the attendeess were generally positive, however many of them said that the durian should have been left to thaw before being served.
“They are too frozen, so not much flavour,” said Josephine Foo.
Also at the Durian Fiesta was the Hon. Bruce Atkinson, President of the Legislative Council, Victoria, who tried the durian for the first time in his life.
Hon. Bruce Atkinson trying durian the first time in his life. Photo by Christina Soh
“It’s an acquired taste. I have yet to acquire the taste. Not my favourite Malaysian food,” Mr Atkinson said, adding that he would not be in a rush to try more durian again.
Shah Zakaria from Terengganu enjoyed the durian and said it was a lovely festival and he appreciated the effort by the Malaysian government in providing this to the overseas Malaysians here.
Dato’ Dr. Mohamad Rameez Yahaya, Consul General of Malaysia to Melbourne, said that he would make the Durian Fiesta into an annual event with inclusion of cultural performances from Malaysia.
A day before the Durian Fiesta, a durian eating competition and tasting, also sponsored by the Consulate General of Malaysia to Melbourne, was held at the Melbourne Malaysia festival, which attracted many to go on stage to try the national delicacy.