Malaysia’s Anwar to lean on ‘good friend’ Li Qiang to rescue durian farmers as prices fall

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has promised durian growers in Johor that he will raise their falling prices with his “good friend” Chinese Premier Li Qiang during a visit to Beijing next month, as a nationwide glut leaves farmers struggling to sell the famously pungent fruit at sustainable prices.Speaking during a political campaign stop in Johor, where a state election will be held on Saturday, Anwar said growers had complained to him during his two-day swing through the southern state that they were being forced to sell durians too cheaply after a bumper harvest across Malaysia" class="entity-link entity-location" data-entity-id="133385" data-entity-type="location">Peninsular Malaysia flooded the market.“I promise one thing. Li Qiang, the Chinese prime minister, is a good friend,” Anwar told the crowd on Sunday. “I will be going to China next month and I want to bring up durian because I see prices are falling. China’s standards are very high, but I will try to negotiate.”China’s Premier Li Qiang (right) walks with Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to attend the Asean summit in Kuala Lumpur on October 27, 2025. Photo: APThe prime minister said he had asked Johor farmers to pack their durians properly so he could present them to Li and tell him they came from the state.