Abang Johari (second left) checking durians on display during the event. — Photos by Muhammad Rais Sanusi

KUCHING: Sarawak should come up with its own brand of confectioneries based on durians, suggested Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg.

Abang Johari showing an opened durian during the event.

Inspired after eating durians dipped in local Malay snack known as ‘sagon’ when attending a durian eating event with the people at Kampung Temedak, Jalan Patingan here yesterday, he said durian-based confectioneries would be a good product.

A local seen opening a durian during the event.

“Durian for example tastes better when eaten with ‘sagon’ which shows that it makes good ingredients for confectionaries.

“I hope Sarawakian entrepreneurs and companies will come up with a way to make confectionaries based on durian in the future,” he said when speaking to reporters during the event.

He added that the durian-based confectionaries should have the right ingredients and not be too sweet.

Women seen making the sagon during the event.

Abang Johari informed that the state government is constantly finding ways to export its agricultural products through research and development.

“We have research and fruits collection centres around the state.

“We are serious in wanting our fruits to be well-known outside the country,” he said.

During the event, Abang Johari took time to mingle with the locals while eating durians together with them.

A local seen enjoying durians offered during the event.

Those who came to the event enjoyed free durians but were not allowed to bring the fruits home.