KEPALA BATAS: After a year's absence due to the Covid-19 pandemic, "Nasi Dagang Apollo" from Kampung Setol, Pinang Tunggal has made a comeback.
The dish, a favourite among the villagers, has, for the past five years, been a staple during Ramadan.
In years past, members of Surau Al Ariffi Kampung Setol would organise a gotong-royong every Sunday to cook the dish, which gained its name from the Apollo brand steamer used to cook the rice.
The dish, distributed to villagers for free, will always be warmly received, especially by the less fortunate.
The surau chairman, Datuk Md Zabidi Ariffin, said they revived the tradition after numerous requests from villagers.
"So many people donated funds to see the programme restarted.
"As such, the surau committee decided to begin cooking again with full adherence to standard operating procedures (SOP).
"Although distribution has been much slower this year as we had to take into account the new normal, the response has been overwhelming.
"In the past, it would take 30 minutes to complete distributing the meals. This time, with crowd-control measures in place, we take about an hour.
"Nevertheless, we are grateful to be able to resume this event."
He said that during the food distribution, the surau committee members would ensure that the SOP is adhered to, including asking villagers to observe physical distancing.
Md Zabidi said 500 packets would be prepared each time.
Cooking began at 10am and the distribution would be completed by 6.30pm.
He said the difference this year is that apart from distributing the food to villagers, they are now delivering the food to frontliners as well.
Food packets, he said, would be given to police personnel manning roadblocks in the area to enable them to break their fast.
