GEORGE TOWN: What better way to celebrate early Father's Day than to get your hands on all-Malaysian favourite fruit - durians!
Approximately one hundred people in Seri Delima gathered at the morning market on Saturday (June 14) for the durian feast, enjoying varieties such as Musang King, Red Prawn, Capri, Green Skin and Hor Lor. All the durians came from an organic farm in Balik Pulau.
Among those enjoying the fruits was civil servant Mohd Faiz Mohd Hassan, 32.
"Durians are my favourite fruit. But when you buy them yourself, you can't really sample many varieties in one go unless you spend a lot.
"Events like this are great because you can have a little bit of everything," explained the father of three school-aged children.
Teh Liang Teik, 75, the former chairman of the Island Glades village community management council, who was fond of a good Black Thorn, echoed those sentiments.
He also has three children, all of whom are grown up and have their own families. They often enjoy durian feasts together.
"Such occasions are good for community bonding. Enjoying durians by yourself is nice, but enjoying it with your neighbours and friends is so much better," Teh opined.
Former neighbourhood watch chairman Eddie Lim, 81, was fascinated by a large local durian cultivar nicknamed "Khoong Loong" (which is Hokkien for dinosaur) that the vendor served.
One bite was enough to reveal creamy and bittersweet notes, which he immediately approved of and recommended to his wife.
"I've been attending such durian parties every year for as long as I can remember. It's something we all look forward to," shared Lim, who has two adult children living abroad.
The event was hosted by assemblyman Connie Tan to express gratitude to everyone for their tireless contributions to the neighbourhood and community.
"We have very dedicated pillars of society here who work hard all year round to make Seri Delima a thriving place in Penang.
"Most Malaysians love the King of Fruits. And with it being in season, there was no better way to express our appreciation.
"This being Father's Day weekend made it all the more meaningful since many attending today are also fathers themselves," Tan shared at the session.
