{
  "id": 10800948,
  "title": "From muddy swamp to food destination: Perlis entrepreneur turns nipah palms into tourism attraction",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/29/from-muddy-swamp-to-food-destination-perlis-entrepreneur-turns-nipah",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-29T23:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Malay Mail",
    "slug": "malay-mail-malaymail",
    "url": "https://www.malaymail.com/news/life/2026/09/30/from-muddy-swamp-to-food-destination-perlis-entrepreneur-turns-nipah-palms-into-tourism-attraction/237008"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "KANGAR, Sept 30 — A local entrepreneur from Perlis has transformed a previously unusable muddy swamp into a successful niche tourism destination centered around nipah palms. Starting with just 1,000 trees on a small plot of land, the project has expanded to over 5,000 trees, providing a unique economic opportunity for the founder and his community.\n\nFounder Jamaludin Abd Rahman began the venture in 2019 after determining the swamp soil was unsuitable for traditional paddy cultivation. The deep, unstable \"jerelus\" soil made the area difficult to work with, forcing him to start small with a pond for catfish. After recognizing the land's potential, Jamaludin gradually planted the nipah palms, which take about five years to begin sap production.\n\nSap extraction is a labor-intensive process that relies on traditional techniques passed down through generations. Nipah sap flows more abundantly and tastes better during the dry season thanks to the trees' deep-rooted system, which allows them to access water from deeper underground even when the surface is dry.\n\nBeyond the economic value, Jamaludin emphasizes the ecological benefits of the project. The nipah palms help stabilize the swamp's muddy soil and prevent erosion while serving as a natural barrier against water overflow. The harvested fruits and leaves also continue Malay heritage by being used for roofing and traditional cigarettes.\n\nThe Nipah Klasik plantation now serves as a gastronomic experience featuring dishes like popiah, keropok lekor, and fish otak-otak made with fresh nipah sap, all enjoyed among the palm trees. The initiative proves that difficult-to-cultivate swamp lands can be revitalized into valuable assets for both the environment and the local economy when managed sustainably.",
  "summary": "KANGAR, Sept 30 — Starting with about 1,000 nipah palm trees on a 0.3-hectare muddy swamp, a local entrepreneur ha...",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}