KUALA LUMPUR: For as long as the durian season lasts, stall owner Rizki Adri Andri Zainintawa, 29, pledges to give away the King of Fruits for free to pregnant women daily.
The owner of three stalls in Taman Medan, Gombak and Kota Damansara, said he did this to keep his promise to his mother.
"She told me to be kind to others when I am successful. It is my way of honouring my word and giving back to society.
"There was an incident about two to three years ago in Taman Medan when I stumbled upon a pregnant woman on a motorcycle with her husband and a child.
"She was craving durian but could not afford it. I called her over and asked if she wanted some of the fruit, to which she said yes.
"I was moved and gave her a durian for free. I have been doing this for expectant mothers ever since, whenever the durian season arrives," he told the New Straits Times today.
Rizki said he understood pregnancy food cravings as his wife is pregnant with their second child.
There are no conditions for pregnant mothers to claim a free durian, and they were even free to pick the IOI Hajah Hasmah or Udang Merah varieties, he said.
He said there was no need for them to prove they were pregnant or bring along their "pink book", which records the progress of their pregnancy.
At his Kota Damansara stall, he throws in free durian cendol for pregnant mothers, too.
There was also no limit to the number of pregnant mothers turning up at his stalls.
"All they need to do is tell my staff, 'I am pregnant'. No questions asked.
"They can get a durian for free a day and come again the next or subsequent days, too.
"There are plenty of durians to eat. I will not be at a loss with the giveaway. It is worth it.
"I believe in giving as sincerely as I can, and nothing should hold me back," he said.
Rizki, who has been in the business for over a decade, sources his supply of up to nine tonnes of durian, such as Musang King, D24, IOI Hajah Hasmah and Udang Merah, from farms in Pahang and Johor.
"For as long as I can, I will continue with this effort," he said.
Meanwhile, the Lake House Bangi, which is organising a three-day 90-minute all-you-can-eat durian buffet, will serve guests free durian-themed dishes and desserts.
Its executive administration and sales and marketing personnel, Nor Farhayu Abdul Rani, said guests could also enjoy glutinous rice, white rice with coconut milk, serawa, roti jala and cendol, which all go well with durian.
"For our three-day durian buffet, we will bring about three tonnes of IOI, D24, kampung and kahwin durian varieties from states such as Penang and Perak.
"If there is a surplus, we will use it to make tempoyak for our signature ikan patin tempoyak dish. Our customers can also opt to buy the durian," she said.
She added that early bird tickets were priced at RM55, after which adults and children would be charged RM65 and RM35 each.
The buffet will be held from July 1 to 3.