A total of 96 durian orchards and individual growers took part in this year’s competition.
PETALING JAYA: Malaysia’s reputation for producing world-class Musang King durians has once again been firmly cemented at the World Durian Championship 2025, where Musang King claimed the coveted “King of Kings” title, standing out as the best among a wide range of durian varieties.
Despite strong competition from other celebrated cultivars such as Tupai King, Tekka, Kim Hong, D2 (also known as Dato Nina), and D13 (Golden Bun), Musang King once again stole the spotlight.
The winning Musang King durians came from We Go Farm, which emerged victorious after outperforming top orchards in a fiercely competitive field.
Held at Bangi Golf Resort on Friday (July 11), the 6th BRG Durian Festival and Awards, alongside the prestigious World Durian Championship 2025: World Edition, attracted 96 entries from durian-producing states including Penang, Johor, Perak, Kelantan, Negri Sembilan, Selangor, Melaka, Kedah, and Pahang.
Head judge Eric Chan (right) presenting the “King of Kings” award to winners Lai Yuen Hong (left) and Ng Zi Cheng.
We Go Farm stood out in the hotly contested Musang King category, taking first place ahead of Durianhill Plantation Sdn Bhd and planter Mohd Anuwar Amin Asain.
In the Black Thorn category, Lee Kean Liang took the top prize, followed by Leow Soon Hoe and Ching Mun Chung. The Registered Category saw Chan Kok Leong emerge champion, with Ching Mun Chung and Victor Soon placing second and third respectively.
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Meanwhile, in the Open Category — featuring kampung or non-clonal varieties — Mohd Lokman Hakim Johar took the lead, followed by Mohd Shahir Azmi and Lim Kim Leng.
Head judge Eric Chan Yee Hong described this year’s championship as one of the closest yet, noting that while Musang King retained its crown, the Black Thorn variety came very close.
“Musang King is already a household name,” he said.
Judges evaluated the durians based on flavour complexity, including sweetness, bitterness, floral and alcoholic notes, to determine the best.
“But Black Thorn has tremendous potential — it could well become the next Malaysian variety to win over connoisseurs, both locally and internationally.”
Chan, who is also president of the Durian Manufacturers Association, expects Black Thorn to gain greater prominence on the global stage in coming years.
“Malaysia is home to more than 200 durian varieties. What sets ours apart is not just the genetics, but our unique climate and cultivation expertise. These natural advantages allow us to produce durians that are especially loved by fans around the world,” he said.
He noted that this year’s event attracted a record number of participants — nearly double that of previous years — reflecting growing innovation and enthusiasm within the local durian industry.
Entries were judged by a panel comprising agricultural experts, celebrity chefs and figures from the food industry. Fruits were evaluated based on strict criteria: taste, texture, colour, and aroma.
Particular emphasis was placed on flavour complexity, including sweetness, bitterness, floral and alcohol notes, as well as overall balance. Texture was assessed for creaminess and smoothness, while colour and aroma completed the sensory evaluation.
Orchard owners submitted their finest durians, carefully cultivated for the competition.
The championship was officiated by Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu, who highlighted the growing global appetite for Malaysian durians.
He said local favourites such as Musang King, Black Thorn, and D24 are no longer just popular in Malaysia but are in high demand among durian lovers worldwide.
“If we want Malaysian durians to continue being sought-after globally, we must have strong systems in place. That’s why I stress the importance of enhancing our grading system and quality standards,” he said.
