Hungry campaigners make for good business
KOTA TINGGI: Elections have been a boon to many restaurants and eateries here.
First there was the state election in March, which led to a business uptick, and now there’s the 15th General Election (GE15), which would hopefully culminate with a revenue surge on polling day today.
Businesses have already seen better sales especially in the week before polling and have doubled their stocks and even hired more part-timers in anticipation of a spike today.
In the lead-up, some restaurants were booked as venues for ceramah, dialogue sessions and fundraising dinners.
Norfaezah Borhan, 35, said her food outlet located at the rest area on the way to Mersing had been experiencing good sales since last week.
“Many party workers and those campaigning come and talk to the patrons at my outlet during breakfast and lunch,” she said, adding that during the state elections in March, all her food was sold out by 2pm even though she usually keeps her outlet open until 5pm.
Her kampung dishes such as lontong, nasi campur, asam pedas ikan baung and goreng pisang have been a hit among locals and lorry drivers plying the route.
“I have hired more part-timers and also stocked up twice the amount of food in anticipation of a large crowd of people coming back to vote in Mersing and Kota Tinggi,” she said, adding that she would also have to stagger her workers’ shifts to enable them to go out and vote as well.
She and her husband are also local voters in the area.
Restaurant owner Puah Kai Hoo said he received three major bookings from two political parties during the campaign period, for his outlets in Stulang Laut and Taman Molek.
“Two of the events were held on the same day by two different parties, while another was held a day after by one party,” he said, adding that GE15 had been good for business.
He also said he did not see such a boom in business during the state election in March or even during GE14 in 2018.
Another restaurant owner, Colin Tan, said he also received several bookings for guests numbering between 500 and 1,000.
“During the state election, our restaurant was only booked once but this time, we received three bookings for our banquet hall.
“However, my restaurant has been fully booked for the rest of November. As such, I am unable to take any new bookings,” he said.
He added that November is typically a busy month for his restaurant, with customers booking the venue for dinners and weddings.
In Pekan Nanas, Ismail Ibrahim, who runs a shop selling a Bugis delicacy called burasak, said he had been getting many customers since last week.
“Candidates from all three parties contesting for the Tanjung Piai seat have visited my shop to try out the food here and meet with voters.
“It has definitely helped with business as each time they drop by, they will be accompanied by a few people who will also order some food,” he said, adding he expected business to pick up on polling day.
He added that he also received many customers during the state polls in March, the Tanjung Piai by-election in 2019 and GE14.