One of the workers at the ‘gula apong’ production site adds firewood.
BELAWAI: It was a fruitful, albeit brief, stop for the Borneo Post Adventure Team (BAT) at Kampung Tambak in Pusa yesterday.
At the village touted as the largest ‘gula apong’ producing village in Sarawak, BAT members learned what is involved in the making of this dark and fragrant palm sugar unique to the state.
Locals regard it as a better alternative to ‘gula Melaka’, which is derived from the sap of the coconut tree.
Anggat Jamil, one of the palm sugar producers in the village took the team to his production site and briefed them about the process.
“During the peak season, we have to increase production (by) using five big pots. When the demand is good, we are able to generate around RM500 a day. We can make it through, as long as there are buyers,” said Anggat yesterday.
It was reported recently that the Sarawak government aimed to develop the ‘gula apong’ industry by launching ‘Niah Agro-Park’ and allocated RM2 million for the setting-up of a one-stop centre for collection, processing and packaging of the palm sugar at Kampung Tambak.
The BAT team left Pusa around noon yesterday, passing Tanjung Manis — an upcoming industrial port city and a key element in Malaysia’s global halal hub strategy — en route to Belawai.
The journey to Belawai took about five hours along the Pan Borneo Highway, before the team boarded a ferry to cross the Rajang River.
Along the route between Sibu, Tanjung Manis and Belawai, the team crossed a total of 25 bridges — including the 1.24km Lebaan Bridge.
The team called it a day at Iftitah Restaurant and Resort here yesterday, anticipating more adventures along their way today.
It is time for refuelling, as BAT members continue their journey to Belawai.
The team travels to Tanjung Manis along the Pan Borneo Highway.