Traders in Chini enjoying brisk business due to the by-election in the constituency.

Brisk business a welcome change from slump during MCO period

Traders selling food and fruits in Chini are enjoying brisk business because of the by-election in the constituency.

Several of those met said sales had increased since the start of the campaign period.

This was a welcome change from the last three months when the movement control order (MCO) was imposed to curb the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Roti canai cook and owner of a breakfast stall in Felda Chini 5, Rizal Mohamed said that during the MCO period, he only sold about 100 pieces a day.

“During the run-up to the by-election, sales have shot up to 300 pieces every day.

“It has been overwhelming these past few days. Most of the customers are outsiders campaigning here in Chini. All of us are enjoying some profits from this by-election,” he said.

Rizal, 41, who also sells local dishes in the evening, said he would make full use of the 14-day campaigning to earn as much money as he could.

“This opportunity does not come often. I will be open for business until the by-election is over,” he said.

Fruit seller Norzita Said, 52, said the festive atmosphere here has had a positive impact on her business, with fruits like durian, mangoes and bananas flying off the rack.

A second-generation Felda settler, she said it usually took her almost a week to clear her stock but these days, the presence of many election workers was a blessing.

“Sales are so good that I barely stock up before the next customer walks in,” said Norzita, who sells her fruits at the market in Bandar Dara Chini.

Another food operator Sahilawati Hassan, 39, who sells laksa and curry mee at Felda Chini 2, said the number of visitors doubled as compared to previously.

“In the past two to three days, I have sold more than 100 bowls of curry mee and laksa daily,” she said.

“Before this, it never went beyond 50 bowls a day,” she added.

The Chini by-election will see a three-cornered fight between Barisan Nasional candidate Mohd Sharim Md Zain, 41, and two independents – Tengku Datuk Zainul Hisham Tengku Hussin, 64, and Mohd Shukri Mohd Ramli, 49. There are 20,990 voters in the Chini constituency.

Polling is set for July 4.

Seasonal bounty: Pahang Chief Minister datuk seri Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail (left) with sharim (middle) and Bahiyah Mat yassin enjoying durians at Kampung salong, Chini. (Below) Tengku Zainul sharing a light moment with a group of Orang asli children while on the campaign trail at Kampung Gantung Gering.