Get them while hot: Deen (second from right) serving up his popular lemang to waiting customers at his stall in Taman Putra Ampang in Kuala Lumpur. — Bernama
KUALA LUMPUR: Fans of local police drama Gerak Khas will surely remember Detective Lingam, played by Deen Maidin.
Apart from the popular role, the 60-year-old, who has been acting for more than two decades, is also known for his Gerak Khas lemang, which he used to make and sell during Hari Raya each year until the Covid-19 pandemic set in.
Now, the grandfather of three is bringing back the traditional delicacy, which is made from glutinous rice and coconut milk, and cooked in a hollowed bamboo tube coated with banana leaves for the festival.
Last week, he and three friends opened a lemang stall in Taman Putra Ampang near here and will operate until the end of Syawal.
“The decision to offer lemang was a spontaneous one,” he told Bernama.
“I have not been selling for several years. After the pandemic, I’ve been focusing on my job as a building supervisor as well as acting.
“Age was also a factor that led me to take a break from the business,” said Deen, whose real name is Shamsuddin Maidin.
He said the encouragement of his friends and requests from fans on social media inspired him to restart his business.
Deen said he mastered the art of making lemang from a friend known as Babe.
“Some people may think we boil the lemang, but it is actually cooked using charcoal embers. The main challenge is ensuring the fire remains stable so that the lemang is cooked perfectly.
“In terms of perfecting its quality, I went through the trial and error process.
“On the first day, it was too salty; on the second day, it was less creamy. So, I adjusted the ingredients and found better suppliers until I achieved a truly satisfying taste,” he added.
Deen also said since his lemang carried the name Gerak Khas, he made sure it was first sent to its director Datuk Yusof Haslam.
“I will always remember Datuk’s advice: ‘If you want to sell something, make sure it’s the best’,” he said.
Besides lemang, which is sold between RM16 and RM22 each, Deen’s stall also offers chicken and beef rendang as well as serunding.
As for his acting career, he said he would remain active in the entertainment industry as long as his services are still needed.
