Hari Raya delights: Traditional dishes prepared with palm oil.
(March 29)Festivity and Palm Oil: A Tradition of Taste and Togetherness
Ah, the memories! I can still picture it like it was yesterday — a little boy, heart racing with excitement, squished in the seat of the bus as we made the long journey along Federal Highway from bustling Petaling Jaya to the quiet charm of Pandamaram. Destination — to my paternal grandpa’s house. It wasn’t just a journey; it was the road to a treasure chest of memories. The bus smelled of oranges, and the kind of laughter that only a family reunion at Chinese New Year can bring. The aunties gossiping in the kitchen, uncles bragging about their latest ventures, and the elders telling stories that seemed to dance with magic.
It is a warmth I know many of our Muslim Malaysian friends will soon experience as they embark on their own journey home, heading back to their families for Hari Raya this year. It’s the same familiar roads, but this time, they’re not echoing with the familiar buzz of Chinese New Year. No, now it’s the symphony of Hari Raya, with families crisscrossing the highways, reunion stories being written and traditions unfolding like a well-worn tapestry. The air is thick with excitement, like a pot of rendang just about to boil over.
But wait — here’s the twist: amid all this heartfelt celebration, there’s a true unsung hero in the mix — yes, palm oil. As we gather to share stories, laughter and delicious food, it’s important to remember the ingredients that make our traditions truly special. Palm oil, a key ingredient in many of our favourite dishes, brings people together and enhances the joy of the season.
Yes, that humble, golden elixir that quietly makes everything better. The magic behind every crispy keropok, every mouth-watering sambal, and every fragrant ayam masak merah. It’s the secret ingredient that’s been sizzling away in the background, making sure every dish tastes like a little piece of heaven. Whether you’re deep-frying kuih, stir-frying meehoon, or just cooking up a storm in the kitchen, palm oil’s the one that’s been helping to cook, crisp and make the magic happen. It’s like that quiet cousin at the family gathering — you might not notice them at first, but once they step in, everything is better.
Palm oil, the humble ingredient, often overlooked in its role, is as intrinsic to Hari Raya as the laughter of loved ones gathered around the dinner table. For centuries, palm oil has been a symbol of Malaysian ingenuity. Like the anticipation before the first burst of fireworks during Hari Raya, palm oil has quietly worked behind the scenes, powering everything from the delicious delicacies that grace the Raya festivity to the very soap and candles lighting up the celebrations. Palm oil is more than just a product; it’s a testament to the dedication and resilience of Malaysia’s smallholders. It’s woven into the fabric of the nation’s economy, like a golden thread that connects the people, the land and the spirit of togetherness that Hari Raya represents.
Picture this: a grandfather and his granddaughter sitting together, as he shares the story of how the journey of palm oil mirrors the very spirit of Hari Raya. It’s a tale of growth, of persistence and of community. In this story, the oil palm tree is not just a crop, but a symbol of resilience, love and sustainability. It is a reminder that, like the family bonds strengthened during Hari Raya, everything that grows, thrives, and sustains us requires care, time and unwavering support.
After all, isn’t that what Hari Raya is truly about? It’s the union of past and present, tradition and innovation, and, yes, even the unexpected connections — like the one between palm oil and the joy of the season — that make the journey home worth every mile.
Grandfather and His Granddaughter
As the sun dipped below the horizon on the eve of Hari Raya, a golden glow bathed the small village nestled among Malaysia’s vast oil palm plantations. The sky, painted in hues of orange and pink, mirrored the flickering lights of the pelita lamps that lined the dirt paths leading to Grandpa Ahmad’s wooden kampung house.
The air was thick with the scent of freshly baked kuih, the slow simmering of rendang, and the fragrant aroma of lemang roasting over an open fire. The rhythmic pounding of the pestle against the mortar as spices were ground mingled with the joyful chatter of family members catching up after long months apart.
Laughter echoed from within the house, where cousins reunited, aunties and uncles exchanged stories, and children darted between the kitchen and the dining area, drawn in by the delicious sights and smells. The warmth of family, the anticipation of the food and the spirit of togetherness filled the night like the gentle glow of the full moon that now illuminated the oil palm trees swaying in the breeze.
Grandpa and His granddaughter ‘sembang-sembang’ (chat) on palm oil.
Before the family indulged in the feast, Grandpa Ahmad, a man of wisdom and quiet strength, called his granddaughter to the porch. His face, lined with years of toil and experience, carried the warmth of a storyteller who held the wisdom of generations.
“Come Aminah, sit next to Atuk,” he said, his voice steady yet filled with emotion. “Tonight, we celebrate not only the joy of Hari Raya and the end of Ramadan but also the rezeki that has sustained our family and our nation for decades.”
Aminah, his granddaughter, nestled beside him on the wooden verandah, her eyes wide with curiosity. “Atuk, tell me a story,” she said, her voice carrying the eagerness of youth. “A story about our land, our people.”
Grandpa Ahmad smiled, adjusting his songkok. “Ah, my dearest Aminah, let me tell you a story of something close to my heart, our human bond with a ‘pokok’ (tree) — the oil palm trees. They are not just trees but of resilience and a gift that has transformed our lives.”
“How, Atuk?” Aminah tilted her head. “You see, long ago, our ancestors struggled to make a living. Many were rubber tappers, paddy farmers, or fishermen, always at the mercy of uncertain harvests and unpredictable weather. Life was hard. But then, the oil palm arrived in our land, bringing with it the promise of hope and stability. Unlike other crops, it flourished in our climate, providing fruit bunches all year round. It became our country’s golden crop.”
Aminah listened intently, her small fingers tracing patterns on the wooden floor. “So, oil palm changed everything?”
“Yes, my dear,” Grandpa Ahmad said, his voice carrying both pride and nostalgia. “It gave farmers a steady income. It lifted millions out of poverty, including our own family. Your great-grandfather, my father, worked hard on an oil palm plantation so that I could go to school. And because of that too, your father was able to go to university. This halal rezeki has provided for us and for many others.”
“But Atuk,” Aminah asked, “people say palm oil is bad for the environment. Is that true?” Grandpa Ahmad sighed and placed a gentle hand on her shoulder. “Not everything you hear is true, my child. Some who grow other types of oil crops fear our success and spread stories to make palm oil look bad. But let me tell you this — palm oil is the most efficient oil crop in the world. It produces more oil per area planted than any other crop, meaning we use less land and also fewer chemicals to grow it. And now, our plantations follow strict guidelines to protect forests and wildlife. It is all about balance — caring for nature while also caring for the people.”
“People also say palm oil bad for health. Is that true, Atuk?” Aminah questioned. Grandpa Ahmad replied, “Let me tell you a secret — palm oil is one of the healthiest cooking oils. It has a perfect balance of fats, and it’s rich in vitamin A and E, which are good for the eyes and hearts. It also doesn’t have harmful trans-fats like some other oils. Don’t worry. You will learn more about it when you grow up.”
“So it’s good for food?” Aminah asked. “More than just food, my dear!” Grandpa Ahmad chuckled. “Palm oil is everywhere! It’s in the cooking oil and margarine. It’s in the soap we use, the shampoo that keeps your hair soft, your mum’s lipstick, your dad’s car uses biodiesel made with palm oil, and even in medicine”
“Atuk, in medicine too?” Aminah inquired. Grandpa explained, “During the Covid-19 pandemic, palm kernel oil was used in hand sanitisers and cleaning products. It helped keep people safe when the world was struggling from the pandemic. And there are also those health supplements from palm oil vitamins that our family consumes. Very good for health! ”
Aminah’s eyes shone with understanding. “So, palm oil is important not just for us, but for the whole country?” “Yes, Aminah,” Grandpa Ahmad nodded. “Palm oil is the backbone of our economy. It contributes billions of ringgits in revenue, taxes for our government to build roads, schools and hospitals. Even during the toughest times, like the Covid-19 pandemic, it kept our economy strong.”
Aminah looked toward the swaying oil palms, their fronds rustling softly in the night breeze. “That means every bite of rendang, every piece of lemang, and every kuih we eat is made possible because of these trees.”
Grandpa Ahmad chuckled. “Exactly, my dear. Palm oil is in the cooking oil, in all the lauk, it’s in the palm-based margarine of our heavenly kuih-muih, even in the soap we use to cleanse ourselves before prayers. It connects all of us — farmers, workers, traders and families. It is more than just oil. It is our lifeblood. God’s gift to mankind”
The children sat in quiet contemplation as the echoes of the takbir filled the air, signalling the arrival of Hari Raya. The significance of the moment was not lost on Aminah. This was more than a celebration of the end of fasting. It was a celebration of resilience, of progress of the land that had nurtured them for generations.
She turned to her grandfather with a beaming smile. “Atuk, one day, I will tell my children this story, just as you told me tonight.” Grandpa Ahmad patted her head gently. “That is how traditions live on, my dear. Through stories, through memories and through gratitude to God.”
The call to prayer echoed through the village, and the family stood together, preparing to break their fast and welcome the new day with open hearts. The oil palms stood tall under the moonlit sky, silent witnesses to generations of toil, progress and hope.
As the Ahmad family looked out at the oil palm trees under the moonlit sky, they saw more than just rows of trees — they saw the future of Aminah, their family and Malaysia. A future where harmony, sustainability and prosperity continued to thrive. They understood that each bite of food, each dish prepared with palm oil, was a testament to the power of unity, the strength of community, enabling policies by their government and the promise of a bright, sustainable future. Through palm oil, Malaysia had not only transformed its landscape — it had transformed lives.
And at the heart of it all, the golden gift of palm oil would continue to play a pivotal role in shaping the nation’s success for generations to come – including for Aminah, her children and grandchildren.
Hari Raya Aidilfitri: A celebration of faith and gratitude for all ages
Raya Blessings: A Poem for All Celebrating Hari Raya
As you celebrate Hari Raya, may your ketupat be perfectly shaped,
And your palm oil-cooked rendang be finger-licking great.
May your generous duit raya be shared overflowingly,
Like the gravy on your palm oil-cooked nasi lemak, so richly
May your Raya celebration be sweeter than your kuih raya,
Filled with lots of lemang, and colourful as your baju Raya,
May your Raya be as bright as the lights on your pelita,
And as joyous as the sound of the kompang in the air.
May your Raya open up new opportunities and blessings,
Just like how the ketupat reveals its treasures inside,
Even as you dip your satay into palm oil-cooked sos kacang,
May prosperity and abundance continue to shine.
Palm oil here, there and everywhere,
Nature’s gift to Malaysia, Malaysia’s gift to the world,
From kitchen to table, in every dish we cherish,
Palm oil fulfills each Raya wish, in every bite we relish.
Palm oil’s golden touch in rendang and sambal,
In every meal, a story to recall,
From the fields of oil palms to the markets grand,
Palm oil’s bounty nourishes our land.
In harmony’s warmth, we all unite,
Under palm trees swaying in soft moonlight,
From Johor’s shores to Sabah’s hills,
In every state, joy and laughter fills.
This Raya, as we feast with joy and cheer,
Let’s celebrate the gift of palm oil, so dear.
Rich in palm Vitamin A, for sight so clear,
And Vitamin E, for heart so sheer.
And so, Malay, Chinese, Indian and more,
All hands together, we celebrate and soar,
In Muhibbah’s spirit and palm oil, we rise as one,
Our strength in diversity, second to none.
So here’s to a Raya, full of light,
With palm oil’s goodness, shining bright.
May your days be healthy, your heart be strong,
With palm oil’s nourishment, all year long.
Hari Raya: A Celebration of Faith, Unity and Sustainable Growth
Hari Raya, a celebration of faith and gratitude – marks the end of Ramadan, a month of fasting, reflection, and spiritual growth. It’s a time to renew our commitment to God and one other, much like Malaysia’s palm oil sector, which focuses on sustainability, responsibility and economic growth.
Traditions like ‘balik kampung’ bring joyful reunions, while ‘Duit Raya’ symbolises generosity. The first day begins with prayers, visits to cemeteries and family gatherings for forgiveness and gratitude. ‘Beraya’ continues with sharing festive meals, featuring palm oil-prepared dishes.
With pride and perseverance, we envision a future where the oil palm industry leads globally in excellence and shared responsibility. As in breaking fasts, celebrating and gathering with loved ones, let’s remember how the industry supports many families locally and globally.
Let’s also celebrate the achievements of the oil palm sector this Hari Raya, acknowledging its transformative role in many lives. Palm oil not only enhances the flavours of the dishes but also supports local farmers and provides a sustainable solution to meet the growing demand for vegetable oils. Through unity and shared prosperity, we continue paving the way for a brighter future, creating opportunities and positive change for generations.
More than food and festivities, Hari Raya celebrates spiritual growth, forgiveness and unity in Malaysia’s Muhibbah spirit amid its cultural diversity. Selamat Hari Raya — may we continue to thrive together, with palm oil as a vital part of our journey. Safe travels and may the road ahead be clear!
My Malay side of the family, uncle Razak and Dato’ Roza Alsagoff, along with the entire Alsagoff clan, extend our warmest wishes for a joyous Selamat Hari Raya to all!
Note from columnist
Dear cherished readers. After crafting 37 articles in the past four months, I think it’s safe to say my keyboard is ready for a vacation and honestly, so am I. I’m incredibly grateful for all your kind words — they’ve truly meant the world to me. I’ll be back soon, recharged with fresh inspiration and a new sense of purpose. Until then, stay curious and take care!
The post The Golden Gift: A palm oil story for Hari Raya appeared first on Borneo Post Online.
