Monday June 18, 2012

2,000 partake in 7,500kg durian feast

PETALING JAYA: About 7,500kg of durians were snapped up by crowds eager for a sampling and all for a good cause.

The fruit, which was specially brought in from the foothills of Negri Sembilan for the event, had to be lifted from lorries with cranes.

The annual JOM Durian fest event helped raise RM113,000 this year for the Children's Wish Society (CWS) of Malaysia.

The society helps to fulfil the wishes of children stricken with life-limiting and terminal illnesses, while raising awareness on the plight of the children.

Yummy: Norhilman Danish, six, and Norazhar, 41, helping themselves to durians at the event in Subang Parade.

Mohammad Zafar, 70, who attended the event with his son Ibrahim, described it as his Fathers Day gift this year.

“How can you resist the tender fragrant flesh of this precious fruit?” he asked at the event at Subang Parade here yesterday.

About 2,000 people came and they were allowed to eat as many durians, mangosteens and rambutans as they wanted for an hour.

They had to pay a RM20 fee, which would be given to the society for its activities.

Ibrahim, 29, said he was not only glad to make his father happy by attending the event but also helping the terminally ill children.

Nishant Suthesh Arul, 20, and his family also could not resist eating the durians.

He brought his grandfather as his father is in Sarawak.

“In a way, my grandfather is also a father figure to me because he watched me grow up and guided me. I just want to show my appreciation for him,” he added.

CWS president Tan Sri Ramon Navaratnam said the society would continue to organise the event.

He said volunteers from the Subang Jaya Fire and Rescue Department and Subang Jaya police helped to open the durians for the public.

More News