MUKAH: Lemang Pewaris produced by a family in Kampung Tutus Ulu, here is much sought after especially in the days ahead of Hari Raya Aidilfitri.
Having started out small in 2015, Mohamad Badrul Zaidi, 31, said, it has now grown into an annual business for the celebration.
“In the beginning, we only sold during Hari Raya Aidilfitri, but since 2019, we have also been selling it during Hari Raya Aidiladha.
“During other festivals we also accept bookings but need to be informed at least two weeks in advance,” he told Suara Sarawak.
He said near the end of Ramadan many people purchase it, including those who stop by the side of the road from where they sell the lemang, some 80 to 120 tubes of it.
Many tend to buy lemang after the announcement of Hari Raya, he said, adding they often also receive orders from Oya, Igan, Dalat and Matu.
“There are also customers from Miri and Sibu, but we are unable to fulfill their requests because of the worry that the lemang will get stale on the way there.
“But, if they themselves take the lemang, it’s no problem.
“The same goes for customers outside Mukah. If they take it themselves, it can be considered,” he explained.
On the challenges his family faced in running this lemang business he revealed that he has help from all family members divided into two groups, namely men and women, to carry it out.
“The challenges faced by each group are different. For the women’s group, they need to carefully place the banana leaves into the bamboo tube so that the leaves do not roll up and reach the bamboo segments.
“They also need to ensure the leaves are always neat so that the process of putting glutinous rice and coconut milk into the bamboo goes smoothly.
“The glutinous rice that is placed must always be in the leaf roll, so that it does not burn,” he explained.
As for the men’s group, the challenge is in terms of dealing with the embers.
He said, the embers must always be controlled and they need to focus so that the lemang does not burn.
In addition, they also need to focus and ensure it the quality of the lemang is maintained.
According to Badrul each bamboo tube of lemang is sold for RM16, at a higher price now than previously.
“There is no doubt that the cost of living has affected the price of lemang because the raw materials are quite expensive.
“Although we have our own coconuts, it is not enough to meet customer demand and I hope customers will understand the price increase this time,” he said.
As for the supply of bamboo, Badrul said they have no problem getting it because they have friends who sell bamboo to them.
He hopes they can keep their Lemang Pewaris business going in the years ahead.
