A Malaysian lawmaker says Borneo’s rare Durian Merah, also known as red durian, could become a major agro-tourism attraction and commercial crop if it is properly developed.
Kuamut state assemblyman Datuk Masiung Banah urged Sabah’s Agriculture Department to carry out deeper research into the fruit’s nutritional value and explore modern technology to produce high-quality seeds, making large-scale cultivation possible, The Star reported.
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Durian Merah is an exotic fruit native to Borneo Island. Photo by Pexels |
He suggested that the state Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Industry (Maffi) begin by developing improved hybrids, including shorter and more shaded trees that are easier to harvest compared to the traditional tall varieties currently found in the wild.
Masiung noted that Durian Merah has long been a traditional food among the ethnic Sungai community in several northern Sabah districts, and has also gained popularity among exotic fruit lovers across Sabah and Sarawak.
He added that the fruit’s red flesh is often sautéed with spices to make a distinctive sambal (a type of chill-based sauce), a dish that remains highly popular in northern Sabah and could potentially appeal to wider Asian markets.
Calling for research into grafting techniques, Masiung said the goal should be to domesticate the fruit and turn it from a seasonal wild heritage plant into a key modern agricultural product in Sabah.
He also expressed confidence in Maffi Minister Datuk Jamawi Jaafar, saying his experience in durian farming could help promote Durian Merah as a valuable traditional crop with strong commercial potential.
Masiung highlighted that the fruit is currently difficult to harvest because it does not fall when ripe, meaning pickers must climb tall trees to collect it.
“The unique thing is that the Durian Merah fruit will not fall even when ripe. The big and tall trees must be climbed to pick the fruit,” he said, describing the bright red flesh as having a less pungent smell, a drier texture and a less sweet flavor profile compared to normal durians.
