Empurau - the most expensive fish in Sarawak

A  mere 2 kilo empurau fish cost RM1,400? But when I went to Kapit, I can’t even see it as the fish do not sell in retail markets.

Neither have I had yet to see Borneo Ironwood or Belian, is a rare timber tree native and the most famous and well-known durable hardwood timber tree of Sarawak, which comes from the family Lauraceae. There are two species of Belian, i.e. Eusideroxylon zwageri and Potoxylon malagangai. 

The empurau, King of fish or Wang Bu Liau as Sarawakian calls it, is the most expensive fish in Sarawak. It is highly prized for its sweet, tender flesh and smooth texture.  A 2 kilo empurau fish cost as high as RM1, 400 and only special retail agent can get it and sent to big city soonest possible to get a good profit.

Claiming that, this wonderful fish has a fairly dedicated tender texture and a sweet flavor with special aroma.

 

An expensive freshwater fish native to Sarawak, the empurau can be found in swift, clear, cool and clean rocky-bottomed streams rivers with sufficient dissolved oxygen in Kapit, Song and Belaga.

It also can be found in Bakun but Kapit produces the best quality fish. It eats wild fruits like the engkabang (illipe) and ensurai (Dipterocarpus oblongilofolius), leaves, flower and algae which grow by the river bank. 

Engkabang, a large Bornean Dipterocarp Shorea macrophylla (Illipe nut)locally known as Kawang, Engkabang Jantong, Kawang Jantong aand Tengkawang Hantelok. It’s a medium sized to large tree with a known record of 5 m tall and 4m girth in Borneo. The wood is one of the lightest in the Red Meranti group.

Empurau?

                                                              Small fresh Empurau?

                                                                     Small wild empurau?

Sold in market

                                      Wild fruits engkabang 

                                                                             Kapit Jetty

                                                             Kapit Chinese Chambers Of Commerce

                                                             Express boats at Kapit Jetty

IRIM set a record in the Malaysian Book of Records by planting 20,200 mangrove seedlings

IRIM created a record in the Malaysia Book of Records when successfully planted 20,200 mangroves tree in Dayang Bunting Forest Reserve, Langkawi, Kedah.

Two mangrove species - Rhizophora Apiculata (Bakau Minyak) and Rhizophora Mucnorata (Bakau Kurap) were planted in less than 2 hours.

A total of about 1,500 volunteers from Pulapol Langkawi, Malaysia Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA), PSDT NRE-iM4U, Forestry Department of Peninsular Malaysia, Sarawak Forestry Department and Sabah Forestry Department has worked hard and successfully deleting records that have been recorded before.

The presence of 300 participants from the ‘Ship for South-East Asian Youth Programme’ (SSEAYP) in 11 countries joining the planting activity made the event truly memorable. SSEAYP is in its 40th year, and is a programme between Japan and Asean countries to promote understanding among youths while sailing on board a cruise ship.

Also present were Vice Minister of the Japanese Cabinet Office, Kazumichi Sakamoto, His Excellency Khamphan Anlawan, the Ambassador, LAOS Embassy of the Lao People's Democratic Republic and other ASEAN embassy representatives.

This successful new Malaysian Book of Record is even more meaningful as it was achieved during the last two tree planted by Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, former Prime Minister of Malaysia and his wife Tun Jeanne Abdullah, in the event organized by the Malaysian Institute of forester (IRIM) in Kg. Selat Bagan Nyiur, Langkawi, Kedah.

In collaboration with the Forestry Department of Peninsular Malaysia and Kedah Forestry Department, IRIM has renewed the current record in Perlis in 2011 with the planting of 11,111 mangrove trees.

 

“This is an incredible achievement and the result of the joint effort between the the Institute of Malaysian forester, Forestry Department of Peninsular Malaysia and Kedah Forestry Department,” said project director and IRIM honorary secretary Mohd Yussainy Md Yusop.

“The planting of the 20,200 mangrove seedlings are intended to preserve the coastal natural hedge and to reduce the destruction caused by natural occurrences. It prevents soil erosion as well as preserving and restoring the biodiversity of the Coastal Ecosystems,” he said.

The sponsor Oleon Sdn Bhd and Petro Teguh Sdn Bhd as well as the District Officer Langkawi, Langkawi Pulapol, Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency, Langkawi Development Authority (LADA) and other government agencies involved directly and indirectly for making the program a success.

 

Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, former Prime Minister of Malaysia and Dato’ Prof. Dr. Hj Abd. Rahman, Director-General of Forestry Peninsular Malaysia at the 20,200 mangroves tree planting ceremony

Why do airline meals taste so bad?

Regardless of fish, chicken or sauces, the food served taste bad. It seems focusing on the food as a way to attract more passengers is the best marketing strategy.