Mining a different gold

> There’s an infinitely more precious commodity being produced in the once-golden town of Raub – musang king durians

RAUB, about 107km from Kuala Lumpur, is one of the country’s oldest towns, dating back to the 18th century. Its existence then was due to the presence of gold in the area. In its heyday, it even attracted miners from Australia.

Locals say that this precious metal was transported out of town by air from an airstrip to avoid the winding trunk roads then.

When gold mining ended about 60 years ago, the industrious people of Raub turned to planting rubber, cocoa, and oil palm trees.

However, today, the district ‘glitters’ with yet another golden money-spinner – musang king durians!

Thanks to some far-sighted people who started planting durians some 15 years ago, Raub has hit the 21st century jackpot!

The district is now synonymous with the premium grade durian, whose popularity stems from its thick, golden-yellow flesh, which is very smooth, and has little or no fibre.

With a sticky and creamy texture, the flesh has both a bitter and sweet taste all rolled into one.

Originally known as raja kunyit, the durian morphed into its present moniker musang king when it was first popularised in Gua Musang, Kelantan, just two hours from Raub.

The Chinese named it Mao Shan Wang (literally Cat Mountain King), giving a royal ring to what was a fruit with an ordinarily codenamed D197.

By a stroke of good fortune, well-connected Raub local boy Peter Phang, now a successful professional in Kuala Lumpur, recently showed me the multimillion-ringgit musang king durian industry in Klau, one of the subdistricts in Raub.

It was a sight to behold, as I saw an estimated half-a-million-ringgit worth of musang kings moving from orchards to consumers, all within three hours.

I even got to speak to the local musang king wholesaler.

The going rate that day was RM58 per kilo for grade A, and RM47 for grade B.

I wouldn’t have been able to tell grade A from grade B, but I can confidently say that I have wolfed down some grade Cs at fancy durian stalls in Petaling Jaya.

Ten years ago, this durain was selling at just around RM3 a kilo. Today, the highest wholesale price for musang king in Raub this year was RM110 per kilo! I dare not imagine its retail price on the street.

I enquired how the price was determined, and was told that it was based on supply and demand.

I don’t know whether I had asked a silly question, or had been given a smart answer.

The wholesaler finally opened up, and revealed that foreign importers would quote prices daily.

After the price is agreed upon, it will be relayed to orchard owners, who will then collect the fruits for delivery early next morning.

The fruits are quickly put on lorries, after a sorting process to ensure their freshness.

Most of the premium merchandise is exported, because foreigners can afford to pay more.

That brings to mind whether Malaysians should be deprived of our favourite golden fruit.

Should there be an export limit, as suggested by Ooi Chek Jin, a durian lover from Penang?

While orchard owners in Raub are enjoying a boom, Peter points out that it’s not exactly a “durian runtuh” (bonanza) for them – pun intended – as it’s all hard work every step of the way.

Durian farmers have to constantly tend to their prized trees, to ensure that their premium harvest turns out well.

At the same time, I also saw large tracts of idle land in Raub.

I wonder what those owners are thinking now while the musang king windfall rages on around them. Looks like they might have just missed the golden wagonload.

Jeff Yong, after making his mark in the twisty maze of mainstream journalism, has finally decided to enjoy what he does best – observing the unusual and recounting the gleeful. He can be contacted at lifestyle.borak@gmail. com.