TRANSLATED BY ANNABELL NAJA TOMMY
ASAJAYA: Despite the monsoon season often causing disruptions in food supplies, one trader at the Tambirat Kota Samarahan Municipal Council (MPKS) Hawker Centre near here is successfully overcoming challenges.
The owner of V10 Stall, Dolhan Mat, 58, who is also a fruit and vegetable trader, has ensured a steady supply and kept prices affordable even in the face of increased costs.
He expressed confidence in maintaining a consistent supply during the monsoon season, stating that he has not encountered any supply issues so far. Despite facing increased supply costs, he has chosen not to raise the selling prices.
“I have been in business for the past seven years, and the prices of the items I offer are still the same溶o increase or decrease.
The honeydew I sell, for instance, is still RM10 per kg, even though I could sell it for RM12 per kg. I still maintain the old price with the concept of selling first,” he explained during an interview with Suara Sarawak at his stall on Monday (Nov 13).
He added that the prices of vegetables remain unchanged, ranging from RM2 to RM3, despite the challenges posed by the monsoon season.
He acknowledged that there has been a price increase from suppliers, but as a responsible trader, he has chosen to absorb the additional costs.
“For me, there is indeed a price increase from suppliers, but as a trader, I still sell at the old price.
Besides lightening the burden of buyers in this economic situation, it can also help them to some extent in making choices when shopping.
Among the vegetables and fruits offered at V10 Stall are pumpkin, okra, long beans, midin, chillies, lemongrass, watermelon, banana, crystal fruit, and rambutan.
I source these products from Kampung Tambirat and suppliers around Asajaya, with cabbage being the only item obtained from outside the area.
Dolhan, operating for about a month, is one of the traders in the vegetable and fruit section of the hawker centre, which comprises a total of 124 stalls.
The hawker centre also features fish stalls at Kampung Tambirat Fishermen’s Market, dry food stalls, food and beverage stalls, and lock-up shops.
Additionally, it provides facilities such as a spacious parking area, clean toilets for men and women, a prayer hall, and a restroom for visitors.
