KUCHING: The Ramadan bazaars held during the fasting month have attracted both Muslims and non-Muslims all these years.
This time around, these fans of the bazaar are in for a disappointment as the Sarawak Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) had announced its cancellation due to the surge in positive Covid-19 cases lately in most districts, including Kuching.
Nonetheless, vendors will still find a way to keep their business going by selling their delicacies by the roadside or in their yard.
For example, Nora, who is selling varieties of delicacies along Jalan Tun Salahuddin Bridge, has a lot to offer to her customers.
“I am selling chicken curry and grilled fish, aubergine or brinjal cooked with chillies, long beans and boiled eggs with chilli gravy,” she said.
She stated that the meat delicacies, such as chicken and fish that she is selling are priced from RM3. However, the price of her cooked vegetable depends on the quantity required by customers.
“A scoop of cooked vegetable only costs RM2 or RM3. It depends also on what kind of vegetable. If its value is high in the market, I usually charge a bit higher,” she added.
Meanwhile, Hashim and Fauziah, who are selling drinks out of coconut and sugarcane, stated that vending the items (drinks) is their economic mainstay. They said the popular drinks are selling well and the only way for them to make ends meet.
“Since the implementation of the MCO last year, it has been tough for us. We used to sell everything, including kuih and other types of drinks at Ramadan bazaars in the previous years.
“Business is slow but progressing and we hope many customers will come here at this spot to buy our drinks,” said Hashim.
The couple has ready-for-take-away packed drinks displayed under their canvas roof as added attraction for their customers.
“The ones that are sold in plastic bags are sold for RM5 with ice while RM7 without ice. Those packed in cups are sold at RM2 each,” they told.
Both are hoping for a brisk sale during Ramadan this year as it will help to ease their financial burden.
Satay vendor Pendi, whose stall has been selling at the same spot near the bridge for a number of years, he hoped this year’s Ramadan sale would be good. This is in view that meat lovers always patronise his satay and grilled chickens all this while. He added both are everyone’s favourite food during the fasting month.
“We sell everything from chicken parts on the skewers, hot dogs, beef and chicken satay and some squid satay too.
“Our most popular one is the grilled chicken because it can be sold out pretty quickly,” said Pendi.
When asked about his sale, he pointed out that his many customers would usually come after 5pm.
“Everything is sold out pretty quickly and that is good for us. We are really happy that many customers come to patronise our stall. Our food sale has been good and we really appreciate their support.
Pendi also pointed out that his satay prices depend on the types of meat and meat parts, adding that his hot dog costs 50 sen a piece.
“For one grilled chicken we sell at RM18. As for the satay, the price differs, namely either RM1 or RM2 per piece, depending on the type of meat and meat parts,” he explained.
Although bazaar Ramadhan was cancelled due to the number of positive cases in the state, the vendors here are grateful that they are still able to operate their stalls by the roadsides.
