Hong Kong celebrity stopped at Malaysia airport for carrying durians

During her recent concert in Malaysia’s Genting Highlands in late March, the 51-year-old pop star said she had first tried the Musang King durian, the most popular variety of durian in both Malaysia and Singapore, several years ago, the Star newspaper reported.

After trying it, she felt addicted to durian and then packed the fruit in her luggage to return home.

However, she was stopped during check-in at the airport as security officers told her durians were not allowed to be carried onboard.

"It was then I learned that durians aren’t allowed on flights," Chen was quoted by The Straits Times as saying.

The Hong Kong singer and her entourage then exited the airport to eat the durians outside before boarding.

Prized for its unusual combination of bitter and sweet flavors, Musang King is the most popular variety of durian in Malaysia. Musang King is known for its buttery, thick, bright yellow flesh and robust flavor, with a hint of bitterness.

Many countries across Asia including Malaysia ban durian from public transport, hotels, and other enclosed spaces, which testifies to the fruit’s strong stench.

However, durian has become a popular staple as it is used to prepare specialties such as cakes and puffs, ice cream or shaved ice, durian fritters, tempoyak (fermented durian) or Thai-style sweet soup.