BANGLADESHIS VENTURING INTO LEMANG MAKING?

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 1 (Bernama) -- Immigrants venturing into the local food
industry is nothing new to Malaysians who are familiar with many of them selling
hawker fares such as "nasi lemak" and "roti canai".

The immigrants are known to have a keen eye for such business, initially
working for the locals but after gaining the experience, branched out to set up
their own eateries.

On this 1 Syawal, therefore, it is not a surprise to discover three
Bangladeshis setting up a stall to sell this Malay delicacy and Hari Raya
all-time favourite, lemang, which is glutinous rice soaked in coconut milk in
cylindrical bamboo casings and cooked over charcoal fire.

This Bernama journalist stumbled upon the enterprising Bangladeshis at a
spot along the Rawang-Batang Berjuntai road.

In order not to attract much attention over their presence, the three
Bangladeshis stood back and let a local teenager to look over the
lemang.

However, their connection was discovered as the teenager pointed to one of
the Bangladeshis when asked the price of each of the lemang sticks.

The Bangladeshi concerned responded with "sepuloh", which means
RM10.

When queried, one of the Bangladeshis who declined to give his name, said
they have been making lemang for the past three years and business has been
good.

So, it seems that immigrants have moved another level up in the Malaysian
cottage food industry.