Alor gajah: For bamboo hunters, the arrival of Ramadan each year brings an opportunity to increase their income as demand for bamboo used to make lemang rises sharply ahead of Aidilfitri. Mohd Alias Mohd Hashim, 51, from Felda Hutan Percha, said he has received orders for about 500 bamboo sticks from customers across the state to prepare lemang for the First of Shawal celebration.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Mohd Alias mentioned that orders usually come in before Ramadan, prompting him and a friend to start searching for bamboo in forests around Alor Gajah and Tampin to ensure an early supply to meet demand. He typically heads out in the morning to look for bamboo and returns in the afternoon before storing it at home.

Mohd Alias, who is also a rubber tapper, stated that customers who placed orders typically begin collecting their bamboo about a week before Ramadan. He sells the lemang bamboo at RM2 per stick and can earn between RM1,000 and RM1,500 during the Ramadan period.

In addition to supplying bamboo, he also sets up a stall selling lemang, particularly three days before Hari Raya Aidilfitri, with prices ranging from RM12 to RM16 per stick depending on the size. His wife prepares ayam kampung rendang with maman leaves, which they sell at RM10 per pack to complement the lemang served to guests.

During those three days, they work hard to prepare the bamboo, lemang, and rendang for customers, and they may continue selling on the second day of Hari Raya if there are additional orders.