By Suhaila Shahrul Annuar
SEPANG, Nov 17 — The state government, via the Selangor Malay Customs and Heritage Corporation (Padat), has been recognised by the Malaysia Book of Records (MBOR) for the largest participation in a punten dining session, involving 2,954 participants.
Punten, a traditional Javanese dish from Tanjung Karang, Kuala Selangor, resembles compressed rice and is made with coconut milk, grated coconut, salt, and pandan leaves, served with green sambal and anchovies.
The record was achieved during the Selangor Heritage Food Festival 2024 at Pantai Bagan Lalang and officiated by the Tengku Permaisuri of Selangor Tengku Permaisuri Norashikin today.
State executive councillor for culture and housing Datuk Borhan Aman Shah said the festival aims to highlight and promote Selangor's diverse food heritage, which is increasingly forgotten.
“Younger generations are becoming less familiar with traditional heritage foods, so this programme seeks to raise awareness about Selangor's wide array of traditional dishes and the importance of preserving and appreciating local culinary culture.
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A dish of punten served for visitors during the Selangor Heritage Food Festival at Pantai Bagan Lalang in Sepang, on November 17, 2024. — Picture by AHMAD ZAKKI JILAN/MEDIA SELANGOR[/caption]
“This programme also supports heritage food entrepreneurs and practitioners, positioning traditional cuisine as a tourist attraction,” he said in his speech at the festival.
Borhan added that this year’s festival introduced a new concept with heritage food pavilions representing each district, organised by the 12 local authorities in collaboration with the District Offices across the state.
“Each pavilion featured popular traditional dishes from their respective districts, served free of charge to visitors. A total of 36 menus were showcased, including lemper, balungan hayam, tat bengkulu, bebotok, kelemai, lontong, lo mai gai, Kajang satay, nasi ambeng, and many more,” he said.
Speaking after the event, Borhan said that in conjunction with Visit Selangor Year next year, the festival will be planned on a larger scale, and is expected to showcase heritage foods from various ethnic communities in Selangor, including the Bugis, the Banjar, the Minang, and the Bangkahulu.
“This ensures that Selangor’s food heritage is strengthened across generations and not forgotten,” he said.
Earlier, Tengku Permaisuri Norashikin witnessed the presentation of the MBOR certificate to Borhan by MBOR representative Mohamad Nazrul Hafizi.
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Visitors thronging the pavilions during the Selangor Heritage Food Festival at Pantai Bagan Lalang in Sepang, on November 17, 2024. — Picture by AHMAD ZAKKI JILAN/MEDIA SELANGOR[/caption]
