Rayer lightens mood at Penang Legislative Assembly with durian issue

GEORGE TOWN: There was a light moment at the Penang Legislative Assembly today as assemblymen bantered about the King of Fruits.
RSN Rayer (DAP – Seri Delima) started the ball rolling when he urged the state to address the issue of Penang grown durians being exported out.
He said “containers full of durians” were being sold to outsiders leaving only those which were not so good for locals.
“This issue needs to be addressed,” he said to some laughter when Penang Tourism Development Committee chairman Danny Law was winding up the debate on the motion of thanks.
Rayer also joked with Law about not inviting him to attend durian festivals together where they can enjoy the King of Fruits as those listening laughed.
Law then said Soon Lip Chee (DAP – Jawi) was a better person to ask about good durians as laughter rippled around while Soon quipped they could discuss the matter during tea break.
In replying to Rayer notwithstanding the mirth, Law said there was not enough Penang grown durians to be exported.
He said these durians were from other places as the Penang supply of durians was only sufficient for consumption within the state.
“We only have enough for our own people and for visitors visiting Penang,” he added.
On tourism in the state, Law said the Penang International Airport (PIA) received 6.684 million arrivals in 2016 compared to 6.258 million arrivals in 2015, an increase of 6.79%.
“According to a USM study, people are attracted to visit Penang because of the Unesco heritage site and the good food,” he added.