By Shikin Louis
ASAJAYA, Jan 4: Children in Asajaya used to skip school every ambal (bamboo clam) season, as entire families rushed to the shorelines to harvest the prized local shellfish.
Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Sarawak, Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, who is also the Asajaya assemblyman, recounted dealing with the issue during his early years as the elected representative.
He said absenteeism was so widespread that he had to meet with Parent-Teacher Associations (PIBG), headmasters and parents to advise them against allowing children to go harvesting during school hours.
“During my first and second terms here, students would often miss school every ambal season. If one family stayed home, they would fall behind.
“Grandparents, parents, children and grandchildren—all would go to the shore together. The more family members who went, the more ambal they collected,” he said, speaking at the closing ceremony of Asajaya Ambal Festival 2026 at Asajaya Square last night (Jan 3).
Abdul Karim added that the problem has gradually eased over time.
“With guidance from community leaders, PIBG, headmasters and teachers, school absenteeism during ambal season has been significantly reduced,” he said.
He also highlighted that back in 2000, ambal sold for RM2–RM5 per kilogram, but roadside and market prices today have surged to RM25–RM30, benefiting both harvesters and middlemen.
The festival also showcased other local treasures, including suduk, a clam-like seafood that draws visitors from Kuching, Samarahan and Balai Ringin.
He encouraged locals to take advantage of fertile lands and initiatives such as the Tambirat Hawker Centre to grow crops, sell local produce, and promote traditional culinary heritage, including kuih sangkaruk.
Abdul Karim urged residents to embrace opportunities to boost the local economy while preserving Asajaya’s cultural and food traditions, promising an even bigger Ambal Festival next year with greater government support.
“For next year, God willing, we will organise an even bigger Ambal Festival.
“Besides that, my ministry will provide a larger allocation to support the festival next year,” he emphasised.
Also present were Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas) vice-chancellor Dr Ahmad Hata Rasit; Kota Samarahan Municipal Council (MPKS) chairman Abang Ismawi Abang Ali; Samarahan Division Resident Rais Ahmat; Asajaya District Officer Jerry Zannudin Bidin; Samarahan District Officer Ahmad Abdul Razak; Ministry of Public Health, Housing and Local Government Sarawak (MPHLG) deputy permanent secretary Desmond Douglas Jerukan; Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Sarawak (MTCP) assistant secretary for Event Monitoring Unit, Nazari Bujang; MPKS councillor Prof Madya Dr Sopian Bujang; and MPKS municipal secretary Gustian Durani. — DayakDaily
