Jom Jelajah Koperasi, Pulau Pinang, 18 April 2014

From 18 – 21 April 2014, I was once again invited by Gaya Travel Magazine and SKM (Securiti Koperasi Malaysia) or Malaysia Co-operative Societies Commission (MCSC) for their Jom Jelajah Koperasi (JJK) or Let’s Explore Co-operative to Penang.  I was fortunate to experience the following Cooperatives:-

1. Koperasi Pandai Besi Darat Seberang Perai,
2. Koperasi GDW Mengkuang Pulau Pinang Bhd
3. Koperasi Pasar Aneka Taman Selat Butterworth
4. Koperasi Homestay Sg  Chenaam Seberang Perai Bhd
5. Koperasi Sri Aman Pulau Aman Bhd
6. Koperasi Sek. Men. Keb (P) St. George Pulau Pinang Bhd

Day 1,18 April 2014

Koperasi Pandai Besi Darat Seberang Perai has been existence since 1841 for anyone who were skilled in making iron tools such as Malay dagger (keris), Machete (parang), knife, betel nut cutter (kacip) and much more. In Malay, these people are known as “pandai besi” (clever in making iron), the reason behind the name. With the help of the Cooperative, the process of making the various iron tools has been upgrade from using traditional utensils and manpower to new machine. 

Machete (Parang) & Knife

Malay dagger (keris)

The next stop is Homestay Mengkuang Titi who owns Koperasi GDW Mengkuang Pulau Pinang Bhd. Address: 679, Mukim 19, Mengkuang Titi, 14000 Bukit Mertajam, Seberang Perai Tengah, Pulau Pinang, Tel: 04-370 7587. Fax: 04-399 7589. 

The welcome reception

The "Silat", malay martial art

A homestay house at Kg Mengkuang Titi

The Cooperative runs a small business enterprise such stingless bee honey or “Madu Lebah Kelulut”, “Muruku” snack and “Bedak Sejuk”. The latter is directly translated as Cold Powder which my late grandmother used on her face in the evening. She said it is very soothing and act as anti-acne. She used 3 or 4 droplets, added some water and patted on the face to let it dry. The process of making ‘Bedak Sejuk” is also simple; soak the rice for a month, change the water daily, grind it to a smooth paste, use a cone-shaped banana leaf with a small opening at its tip to form droplets on top of a clean linen cloth and let the droplet to dry for a week before storing it in the air tight bottle. 

Anchovies Fingers (Jejari Ikan Bilis)

Me sucking the honey of the Stingless Bee

Cold Powder (Bedak Sejuk)

During the stay at this homestay, I played traditional games such as “Tarik Upeh” where one person sits on a Betel nut leaf pull by another person, “Pancing Botol” where I need to lift a bottle using a bait of small twig (I learned the trick to do it!) and “Lari Dalam Guni” ie running in a sack. The highlight of the stay is the typical Malay dinner with its specialty Curry Papaya and the traditional performance which originated from Penang “Boria” 

Dinner

"Bersila" seating arrangement

"1Malaysia" dance

To be continued ….