NOV 16 — It was him who gave a Name for the durian that was planted in Gua Musang; in the very beginning the fruit was only known as durian gua musang but the late Donald called it “Mau Sun Wong” and that name had gone “viral” across nations, if not worldwide ever since.

Yes the late Donald had told me on many occasions when I spent time with him at his durian stall in SS2, Petaling Jaya that it was him who had given this durian a new name.

You can say it loud and clear that it was also Donald who had got durian lovers to sit down on chairs with tables under big sails like tents to eat the durians instead of having to squat along roadsides in the Sun. He will throw in EXTRAS for free like drink water and provision of a water tap for those who like to wash up after having their durian in his stall. Off and on he will give a free fresh coconut to his customer if he is in the mood. These free give-a-ways were also started by the late Donald.

Apart from this, the late Donald likes to see his customers enjoy eating durians in his stall and to do that he will pick the best fruit, but in the process he had to throw away a few pieces which he reckoned were not duly ripen or when its quality was not up to mark, to open to serve a customer.

So this is a guarantee durian lovers get from Donald’s in SS2, Petaling Jaya.

By the way, he was a generous, charitable, helpful and kind man and that I mean he did not keep all the money he made. In fact, he had run a few durian charities to help raise funds for the handicapped, unfortunate and abandon children and destitute people including handing out goodies to old folks’ homes.

I remember he did one fund-raising charity in SS15 Subang Jaya that brought in around RM11,000 just selling durians in one hour. The whole amount was given out in equal amount to Rumah Charis and Rumah Hope.  Besides, he also held a durian fund-raising event in SS15 Subang Jaya Padang with the former State Assemblyman for Subang Jaya, Dato’ Lee Hwa Beng and raised about RM26,000 in two hours. Patrick Teoh was then the MC for the day. In fact, he did it for free. This amount raised was given in full to Lick Hang School for a building fund.

In 2012 he held a durian feast at his durian stall for abandon and unfortunate children from Prudential Homes in SS2, Petaling Jaya. The boys and girls of mixed races and of different ages, culture and religions were more than happy because they were given fresh whole coconuts as “desserts”.

Now, let’s back track where he had sold durians. He started selling durians in Subang Jaya and had to move out from SS15, Subang Jaya because MPSJ had turned down his application to renew the licence to continue to operate his durian stall by the roadside opposite the SS15 Padang.

That forced him to close his business in Subang Jaya. He eventually got his durian business relocated in the Padang in SS2, Petaling Jaya next to the Glutton Square. After a few durian seasons, then, there was one new durian stall that had emerged over night just next to Donald’s. And that was when he got competition, but to him competition is healthy and encourages him to do better.

The new comer did not last very long and folded up its business leaving the tent behind, sort of abandoned the place. Donald was left alone again as the only durian stall in the area.

In about a year MPPJ gave notice to Donald that he should relocate his durian stall along the SS2 main road, behind the Police Station. He was then the first durian stall there. Yes! He was the pioneer. Today there are about 4 – 5 durian stalls in the area, making the place to be known to the Public as a Durian Street in Petaling Jaya.

Now that he is back with the LORD on Wednesday 13/11/2013, we have lost him, an innovative person, for having started or rather put in place many new ways for durian lovers to enjoy eating durians.

Thank you Donald we will remember you for what you have done for us and durian lovers.   

To friends of the late Donald, and durian lovers who had been to Donald’s durian stall, do say something nice of him in Facebook.

Goodbye! Donald, we know you are now with God.

* Lau Bing reads The Malay Mail Online.

 ** This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the  views of The Malay Mail Online.