Penang: Authorities in Penang have identified several hotspots selling imported durians, particularly from Thailand, falsely marketed as the famed Balik Pulau variety. State Agriculture, Food Security and Cooperative Development Committee chairman Fahmi Zainol announced that joint operations involving the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM), the Agriculture Department, and the Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority (FAMA) will be launched soon to curb such fraudulent practices.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Fahmi Zainol stated, “We’ve identified two or three hotspots where durians are brought in by truck from Thailand but sold as local produce. We’re just waiting for the right time to conduct raids and issue compounds.” He made these remarks to reporters after officiating the State Interim Report Launch at the Bumbong Lima Agricultural Training Institute. Also present was Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM) Chief Statistician and Agriculture Census 2024 Commissioner Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Uzir Mahidin.

The enforcement efforts follow public complaints and ongoing monitoring by authorities, including a recent roadblock at the Juru toll plaza involving the Malaysian Quarantine and Inspection Services Department (MAQIS) and other agencies to detect non-compliant agricultural products, especially durians. Fahmi emphasized that while durians from other regions are not banned, sellers must not misrepresent them as Balik Pulau durians.

Fahmi also highlighted the implementation of a “Track and Trace” system since June 1. This system tags every durian with a QR code that allows consumers to verify its origin, from farm to table. He encouraged the public to report suspicious sellers and noted that most legitimate durian farmers in Penang have adopted the tracking system to boost transparency and consumer confidence.