Trader complains of drop in business this Raya

SIBU: Executive advisor of Sibu Central Market Hawkers Association, Yiing Chung Ming, said his business dropped about 70 per cent during this Raya celebration compared to Raya last year.

He said it was due to the ‘no celebration’ this year while those from outstations could not return here for the celebration.

“Only local people are buying. Those from outstation could not come because they could not get the permit,” he said.

Yiing, who sells squids at the market, believed that business for the Gawai celebration would suffer similar fate.

“It is already May 26 but still no Gawai fever. I used to have people from Machan, Kanowit, Song, and Kapit here to buy my squids. Now, they cannot come,” he lamented.

He, however, said he had nothing to complain as safety is most important.

He also said since the beginning of Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO), his business had not improved despite coffee shops and restaurants already in operation.

He acknowledged more people were visiting the central market now, but business had not picked up. He also found out that the crowd was slowly dropping.

“I have reduced my stock according to market demand. But it is a bit better now than when the MCO started.

“When it (MCO) started, I was totally caught off guard. I did not have time to plan the amount of stock I should be selling in a day. Now it is better,” he added.

He also figured it would take at least a year for the business to pick up.

Only local people are buying. Those from outstation could not come because they could not get the permit.

Yiing Chung Ming