SUBANG JAYA, Aug 31 — A 640m display of glutinous rice dubbed “Pulut Semangat” exhibited here today for Merdeka has entered the ASEAN and ASIA Books of Records as the first and longest such installation in the continent.
About 120 women from states nationwide including Sabah, Sarawak, Johor, Perlis, Kelantan and Terengganu participated in the installation, which used around 1.2 tonnes of glutinous rice and was coloured to resemble the Jalur Gemilang.
The exhibit included hibiscus motifs using the glutinous rice and other floral designs using hand-carved vegetables.
Malaysian Women Chefs’ Association (MWCA) president Renuka Devi Ramachandran said the effort symbolises Malaysians’ patriotism and unity in conjunction with Merdeka today.
“Preparations started on August 29 with cleaning and washing the rice, before steaming and cooking started on August 30.
“We initially aimed for it to be 500m, but thanks to the efforts of all participants, the Pulut Semangat (installation) reached 640m,” she said when met today.
ASEAN Records compiles outstanding achievements in the Southeast Asian region, while ASIA Records accredits accomplishments across the continent.
Also present to view the installation, displayed at Zhong Yuan Serdang Basketball Court in Seri Kembangan here, was Seri Kembangan assemblyman Wong Siew Ki.
Meanwhile, MWCA deputy president Fazalina Ismail said the group chose to make Pulut Semangat as the delicacy of glutinous rice is becoming increasingly forgotten.
Wong said the installation not only allowed the community to participate in the effort, but brought people closer.
“The cooperation between the association, community and agencies in making this programme a success proves that diversity of backgrounds isn’t an obstacle for a community to make something together for everyone’s shared benefit,” she added.
Participant Masni Mahmud, who was tasked with colouring and cooking the glutinous rice, said she was excited to be part of the effort, which saw female culinary enthusiasts of various races and from different states collaborate on the installation.
“I had fun joining this programme because I got to work with participants of various races. It was a very interesting experience,” she said.
Noredawati Ismail, who was tasked with designing hand-carved decorations for the exhibit using vegetables and fruits, said Pulut Semangat was a new experience for her that allowed her to centre her creativity in food carving.
Yan Mui Choo, 60, who joined the programme with her friends, said she was excited to be part of the effort to uplift local culinary heritage.
“In the Chinese community, usually glutinous rice is only prepared in its (plain) form, so I was excited to see the (rice) coloured with various dyes like yellow and blue,” she said.
