JOHOR BARU: Two months after Singapore’s general election, durian businesses in Johor are drawing a steady crowd of visitors from across the Causeway.
This post-election trend is a consistent revenue booster for the state, according to Johor Tourist Guides Association chairman Jimmy Leong.
“It is usual for Singaporeans to go on durian tours every year, but the number of groups goes up by about 30% after an election in the island republic,” he said.
Leong said these durian tours are a popular way for Singaporean MPs to express gratitude to their communities and party members for their election support.
“Each group could comprise as many as eight to 10 buses,” Leong added.
For instance, Jalan Kayu MP Ng Chee Meng recently promoted a “Musang King durian tour to Johor Baru” on Facebook.
The S$110 (RM364) day tour included transport, an all-you-can-eat Musang King lunch, and an eight-course dinner.
“Back by popular demand! You asked and we listened, so let’s go get some durians,” he wrote.
A Singaporean mother of three, Nina Farah Ain Borhan, said she had seen such durian tours being organised by a Singapore political representative.
“There are posters displayed next to the lift lobby (of my residential building),” she said, adding that she had not participated in it.
“But I do travel to Johor myself frequently for durians,” said the 31-year-old.
Durian seller John Chew, 60, said the durian season began early this month, and since then, business has picked up significantly, especially over the weekends.
“Singaporeans make up about half of our customers,” said Chew, who runs a stall near a mall here.
He said that Musang King remains Singaporeans’ top choice, although Malaysia has around 200 durian varieties.
“The prices vary depending on the grade. Grade A can go for RM60 per kilogramme, while grade B ranges from RM30 to RM40,” he said.
Durian seller Mohamad Amirudin Tono, 22, also reported brisk sales, particularly during weekends, with customers arriving from all over the country and Singapore.
“The price of the fruit has also been going down this season.
“This has helped attract more customers,” he said.
A durian supplier in Pontian, who only wanted to be known as Tok, said demand has been so high he sometimes needs to source from other suppliers to meet orders.
“I also have customers from Singapore arriving in tour buses to my orchard,” he said.
Singaporean Wendy Chua, 42, who was spotted enjoying durian at a stall here, said, “This is probably our second or third time eating durian here. There are some durian varieties available in Johor that are hard to find in Singapore, which makes the experience worthwhile.”
However, the rising prices over the years did not deter Singaporeans, she said.
“We would come for the variety and the overall experience,” Chua added.
