By RAHIMI RAHIM
MUKAH: Smoked fish (ikan salai), dried fish (ikan kering) and fresh fish are readily available at Gerai Tamu Hentian Metading, a 20-minute drive from Mukah town centre.
Its location is at Mukah-Balingian-Kuala Tatau-Sibu intersection.
According to one of the sellers, Wellington Majit Senah, the stalls operate daily.
“Among the products for sale are ‘ikan salai jan,’ ‘ikan salai belukang,’ vegetables, fruits and kuih-muih (assorted cakes).
“These are made by the local Melanau, Malay and Iban,” he said.
Wellington said visitors, especially those travelling to Sibu, Bintulu, Balingian and Mukah, only needed to stop by the side of the road.
He added that most of the products were cheap and fresh.
Meanwhile, another hawker, known as Anching, revealed there were about 30 tables selling a variety of local products.
“We have ‘ikan salai,’ ikan kemurak (mullet fish), dried fish, salted fish… they are all available here. We also have vegetables and fruits, supplied by the locals,” she said.
She added that 600g of smoked fish were only sold for RM10 while vegetables cost RM1 a bunch.
“In one day, I can get RM500 from selling about 50 packs of smoked fish,” Anching said.
According to her, there are more than 20 hawkers who sell their agricultural products and their catches from the sea here on a daily basis.
“The stalls here have been around for the past 15 years and are fast becoming a stopover point for many people who pass through the area,” Anching added.
