China's Premier Li Qiang arrives at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre to attend the 47th Association of Southeast Asian Nations Summit in Kuala Lumpur on Oct 27, 2025. (Photo: Reuters)
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has promised durian growers in Johor state that he will raise their falling prices with his "good friend" Chinese Premier Li Qiang during a visit to Beijing next month, as a nationwide glut leaves farmers struggling to sell the famously pungent fruit at sustainable prices.Speaking during a political campaign stop in Johor, where a state election will be held on Saturday, Anwar said growers had complained to him during his two-day swing through the southern state that they were being forced to sell durians too cheaply after a bumper harvest across Peninsular Malaysia flooded the market.
"I promise one thing. Li Qiang, the Chinese prime minister, is a good friend," Anwar told the crowd on Sunday. "I will be going to China next month and I want to bring up durian because I see prices are falling. China's standards are very high, but I will try to negotiate."
The prime minister said he had asked Johor farmers to pack their durians properly so he could present them to Li and tell him they came from the state.
