Koperwanis elevates bumbu pedas as Sarawak’s signature spice

KUCHING (Jan 10): The Koperasi Perkumpulan Wanita Sarawak Berhad (Koperwanis) has taken the initiative to produce bumbu pedas (spice paste) as the state’s signature product, said its chairwoman Norjanah Razali.

The inaugural Pesta Bumbu Pedas was organised by Koperwanis in collaboration with the Sarawak Federation of Women’s Institute (PPWS), serving as a platform for the members to showcase their talents, skills and local products at Metrocity here.

She explained that the programme also featured a bumbu pedas competition aimed at identifying the best Sarawak Bubur Pedas recipe.

“A total of 10 participants took part in the making of bumbu pedas competition, representing five PPWS branches, namely Kuching-Samarahan, Sri Aman-Betong, Sibu-Sarikei-Kapit-Mukah, Miri-Bintulu and Limbang-Lawas.

“We know that the main component in preparing bubur pedas is the bumbu. This is why we organised the competition to identify the best recipe that meets the standards of the ‘Sarawak Bubur Pedas’ recipe.

“We regard bubur pedas as a traditional dish among the local Malay community here. It is commonly prepared during the month of Ramadan and this traditional dish must be elevated and dignified while the bumbu itself will be developed as the state’s signature product,” she said when met by the reporters after the programme.

Elaborating on the initiative to produce bumbu, Norjanah said many had questioned why the product was not available on the market.

“This is why we have taken the opportunity to produce it under Koperwanis, so it is not limited to the month of Ramadan,” she added.

The processing centre is located at Metrocity here and she hopes to expand based on the market demand, adding that the production would begin on a small scale.

“This is the time for us to begin producing this product on a small scale first and to obtain the halal and Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) certifications,” she said.

The winners of the bumbu pedas competition were Nafisah Wan Akil from the Sri Aman branch in first place, while Hasniah Abdullah and Aishah Abdul Rahman, both from the Kuching-Samarahan branch, took second and third place respectively.

Among those present were the PPWS patron Toh Puan Datuk Patinggi Fauziah Mohd Sanusi and the State Minister of Women, Early Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah.