KLDEX Opens To Share Malaysia’s Durian Story With The World
KUALA LUMPUR, July 4 (Bernama) -- The opening of the Kuala Lumpur Durian Experience Centre (KLDEX), a first-of-its-kind attraction dedicated to the 'King of Fruits', marks a new effort to showcase Malaysia's rich durian heritage while strengthening the country's position in the global premium durian market.
The centre, located near the Malaysia Tourism Centre (MaTiC) in Jalan Ampang, was officially launched by Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing on Saturday at a ceremony attended by industry players, tourism stakeholders and invited guests.
The event featured a durian tasting session showcasing several premium Malaysian varieties, alongside live cultural performances held throughout the centre to celebrate the country’s rich durian heritage.
The launch also marked the opening of the Malaysia Durian Festival 2026, themed “One Durian. A Whole Malaysia,” an initiative designed to promote Malaysian durian as a cultural and tourism icon while connecting farmers, exporters, tourism players, cultural partners, content creators and local businesses.
Developed by MyBolehBoleh, KLDEX was co-founded by Ang Kean Wee and Edison Ang Wei Phang.
The 20,451-square-foot centre is supported by the Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry and Tourism Malaysia.
Speaking at the launch, KLDEX co-founder and MyBolehBoleh founder Edison Ang said the centre was established to preserve and systematically document the stories behind Malaysia’s distinctive durian varieties, many of which remain little known despite their international reputation.
“Our vision is to safeguard Malaysia’s durian cultural heritage and systematically document the stories behind distinctive Malaysian durian varieties such as D24, Musang King and Black Thorn.
“Although Malaysian durians are renowned around the world, these precious stories are rarely told in full,” he said.
Edison said KLDEX was conceived not merely as a tourism attraction, but as a platform to present Malaysia’s cultural identity through its national fruit.
He noted that Musang King and Black Thorn have received geographical indication (GI) recognition, reinforcing their Malaysian origins, while the country’s durians continue to gain international recognition for their rich aroma and complex flavour profiles.
Meanwhile, KLDEX co-founder and managing director Ang Kean Wee said the centre was never intended to be merely a place for people to eat or purchase durians.
“We want KLDX to be not just a place to sell durians, but a durian experience centre where people can learn about Malaysian durians and its history, while helping the world recognise that premium varieties such as Musang King and Black Thorn originated from Malaysia,” he said.
He added that KLDEX also hopes to educate visitors on the uniqueness of Malaysian durians, including traditional harvesting practices in which the fruits are allowed to ripen naturally and fall from the tree, unlike the methods used in some neighbouring countries.
According to Ang, preserving these practices is essential in maintaining the quality and distinctive taste that have made Malaysian durians increasingly sought after in international markets.
Looking ahead, Edison said KLDEX will serve as the starting point for taking Malaysia’s durian story overseas through the Malaysia Durian Festival.
“We plan to bring the festival overseas, beginning with five provinces and 10 cities in China,” he said, adding that China remains the world’s largest consumer of durians, accounting for the overwhelming majority of global demand.
KLDEX is billed as Asia’s first and largest integrated durian experience centre, offering visitors an immersive journey into Malaysia’s durian culture through a museum, interactive exhibitions, an immersive theatre, educational programmes, retail outlets as well as food and beverage experiences.
Visitors to KLDEX can explore historical archives tracing the origins and evolution of Malaysian durians, orchard-themed experience zones showcasing local cultivation methods and ecosystems, and performances inspired by Malaysia’s durian culture.
The centre also houses retail outlets and food and beverage venues offering a variety of durian-themed products, while educational workshops and cultural storytelling sessions are designed to provide visitors with a deeper understanding of Malaysia’s durian heritage.
Established in 2023, MyBolehBoleh is a Malaysian durian retail and export company that has actively promoted Malaysian durians internationally while showcasing the country’s rich durian culture and industry.
-- BERNAMA