DCM: Ikan Buntal shows great marketability as a food, tourism product

KUCHING: Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah has called for a study to be conducted on Yellow Puffer Fish (Xenopterus naritus) – more commonly known as ‘Ikan Buntal’ – to ensure its long-term survival.

According to him, Batang Saribas is well known for its abundance of this fish species during its spawning season from June to September.

On the proposed study, he believes that the findings would make puffer fish become a potential food item slated for export, and also a tourism product for Spaoh and the surrounding areas, in view of this fish being known as a specialty dish especially in Japan.

“We have to know its spawning spots along Batang Saribas so as to not disturb these spots or remove the sand from there.

“If we could do this (the study), the long-term supply could be ensured; we can develop the ‘buntal’ fishing sector as a unique food and tourism product,” he said in his opening remarks for annual ‘Pesta Buntal’ (Puffer Fish Fest) at Kampung Manggut in Spaoh yesterday.

Uggah, who is also Minister of Agriculture Modernisation, Native Land and Regional Development, regarded puffer fish as a very special fish that would require careful preparation to remove the toxin present in its blood vessels and the membranes of the eggs.

“But the locals can do this very well. In Japan, the fish is a specialty dish and people are ready to pay a lot of money just for a taste at high-end restaurants,” he said.

On another matter, Uggah also requested the Public Works Department (JKR) Sarawak to prepare a site more conducive to hosting future ‘Pesta Buntal’.

Later, he pledged an allocation of RM30,000 to the festival committee, set to make it a grander event next year.

Betong MP Datuk Robert Lawson Chuat and Saribas assemblyman Mohammad Razi Sitam, who were present, also topped up the amount with their respective pledges of RM30,000 and RM25,000 in grants.

At the same function, Uggah also launched the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) Roadshow for the Saribas constituency.

In his political message to those present, the deputy chief minister cautioned the people against the presence of ‘outsiders’ coming to discredit the GPS-led Sarawak government and also to disunite the people with their ‘selfish propaganda’.

Later, Uggah presented the prizes to the top teams of the regatta challenge, which was the highlight of the festival.