Jom Jelahah Koperasi, Kelantan, 27 June 2014

Thursday, October 9, 2014

Jom Jelahah Koperasi, Kelantan, 27 June 2014

Day 2, 27 June 2014

The highlight of the Let’s Explore Cooperative Kelantan (Jom Jelajah Koperasi Kelantan) organized by Gaya Travel Magazine, Malaysia Co-operative Societies Commission (SKM - Securiti Koperasi Malaysia) and Koperasi Pasir Kelang Berhad is “Kenduri Raykat” held at Kampung Pasir Kelang. This is a great opportunity to see how the locals welcome the holy month of Ramadan where the community commune to cook and feast on this special occasion.

Koperasi Pasir Kelang Berhad Is the first cooperative in the country that operates ferry services to 15,000 people from 10 surrounding villages to cross the Kelantan River to Kuala Krai town. This project is largely financed by MCSC with a loan of RM 333,000.00. Prior to this ferry services, the villagers used wooden boat for its motorcycle and passengers to cross the 250 meters wide Kelantan River. The cars are parked at the river banks and prone to theft.

The Koperasi Pasir Kelang Bhd ferry - Seri Kelang 1

The 5 minutes ferry journey across the Kelantan River

The journey only takes about 5 minutes per way. The ferry services starts as early as 7.00am and ends at 11.00pm. During the monsoon season, the ferry will stop operation if the water level is high and / or the water current is too fast. The fees are such empty big lorry RM 15.00, loaded big lorry RM 30.00, empty small lorry RM 10.00, loaded small lorry RM 15.00, empty Hilux RM 5.00. loaded Hilux RM 8.00, car RM5.00, motorcycle RM 1.00, passenger RM 1.00, uniformed school children RM 0.50, heavy machine RM 30,00to RM50.00. Police car, ambulance, fire truck and funeral van are complimentary. The Koperasi Pasir Kelang Bhd’s ferry is manned by 6 staffs, 4 captains working 2 shifts and 2 technicians.

The village-style (no crash helmet!) motorcycle ride

There are more motorcycles at Kampung Pasir Kelang

Upon arrival at the Kampung Pasir Kelang, I was taken on a motorcycle, without helmet, by a local village girl to the activity center, a secondary school. The first meal of the day is the renowned Nasi Kerabu, blue-colored rice eaten with battered fried fish, salted egg (telur masin), stuffed chill with grated coconut and fish meat filling (lada sumbat / solok lada), sliced raw vegetables (long bean, cabbage and Vietnamese coriander - daun kelsom), coconut floss (serunding kelapa), pickled garlic (jeruk bawang putih), raw bean sprouts and fermented fish sauce (budu).

The different condiments for Nasi Kerabu

The fermented fish sauce (Budu)

My all time favorite Nasi Kerabu

After the satisfying breakfast of Nasi Kerabu, I helped to cook Beef Curry cooked in a cauldron (Gulai Kawah Lembu) with the villagers. We, the participants of JJK Kelantan, were briefed by the committee of the background, memberships and activities of Koperasi Pasir Kelang Berhad.

Me stirring the Beef Curry

Cauldrons with beef curry

The lunch was superb with chicken curry, beef curry, stirred fried beef, salad fern shoots (kerabu pucuk paku), blanched vegetables (cucumber, long bean, eggplant, baby corn and Parkia - petai) and hot chili sauce (sambal)


The lunch at Kampung Pasir Kelang

The villagers having their lunch

In the evening, we played games with the villagers. 1^st is a lawn-bowling-like game (forgot the name!) played amongst the ladies. 2^nd is football game played by the men from the participants and villagers. The last game is tug of war. After the prize giving ceremony, we ate delectable steamed glutinous rice with durian (pulut durian)