Kuala lumpur: The Setiu district made history with the longest battered dish, measuring one kilometre, which was officially listed in the Malaysia Book of Records (MBOR) today.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Setiu district officer Yusaini Amir Mohamad Nor said that the iconic programme, organised by the Setiu District Office, took place at Laman Seri Rhu Sepuluh, Penarik. The event was successful with the participation of 21 individuals comprising batter-fried prawn traders from Pantai Penarik and Kampung Rhu Sepuluh.
He explained that the record was achieved through the arrangement of 547 tables and the use of one tonne of prawns, equivalent to about 100,000 prawns. The prawns were donated by local prawn farmer, Blue Archipelago, and fried by the participating vendors according to their own recipes and cooking methods before being served along the beach. The event was attended by Terengganu State Financial Officer Datuk Tun Ahmad Faisal Tun Abdul Razak and State Tourism, Culture, Environment and Climate Change Committee chairman Datuk Razali Idris, who witnessed the handover of the MBOR recognition certificate.
Yusaini Amir noted that there are approximately 40 active batter-fried prawn traders in Pantai Penarik and Kampung Rhu Sepuluh. He expressed hopes that the programme would continue to promote the food tourism products of the Setiu district, boosting the local traders' economy.
"This programme is expected to attract thousands of tourists from within and outside Terengganu, thereby increasing the occupancy rates at homestays and nearby budget hotels," he remarked. He also highlighted the potential for local entrepreneurs in downstream products such as keropok lekor, chili sauce, and handicrafts, aiming to position Pantai Penarik as the country's main gastronomic tourism hub.
The MBOR recognition was the highlight of the Setiu District Cultural Town Carnival 2026, which spanned three days from June 25 until today. The carnival featured various activities, including the Penarik Beach Run with around 1,000 participants, a Beach Clean-Up Programme, the planting of 2,000 Casuarina Trees for environmental conservation, and exhibitions involving government agencies.
The carnival was organised to promote Setiu district as a tourism destination focused on heritage, culture, and gastronomy, while also enhancing the economic activities of the local community.