Stalls see mixed sales on National Day

SOME stalls located at the Tamu Kianggeh (Kianggeh Marker) in the nation's capital felt a little lonely and deserted in the midst of the 28th National Day celebrations on Thursday.

Vendor owners lamented that even with the masses coming down to the Taman Haji Sir Muda Omar 'Ali Saifuddien to participate or witness the festivities, business for them on that auspicious day would fall because of the attention being diverted from them.

"It's true, usually there would be a crowd in the market especially on weekends but when it comes to celebrations, the locals would forget about us," said Dk Rosnah Hj Latiff.

The owner of two stalls stated that the only thing worth staying open for that day was when the tourists would visit the market.

Another vendor who wished to be named Balqis from the Tamu Kianggeh said that the stalls that they rent was $175 per month and that the celebrations did pull down their profits.

"It's not that we blame anyone about this, but sometimes it's because the market is a bit hidden and far off from the Taman so we usually would hope that when the procession is over, maybe some might turn up at the market," said Balqis.

She stated that one problem about the market was the state of cleanliness it was not very clean which cause such an eyesore and turn off some visitors.

"Most of us have complained about the stagnant water as the puddles of water do not have a proper drainage system and the public toilets are just not up to standard," continued Balqis.

Meanwhile, opening up a stall outside of the market was an experienced businessman from Kampong Ayer (Water Village), Pg Muamza Pg Hj Taha, whose stall was focused on selling sweets opposite of the Taman SOAS yesterday. She has been selling sweets at National Day Celebrations for the sixth year running now.

Pg Muamza said: "I've been selling sweets at national public holidays for a very long time now. Sometimes we make a profit, and sometimes we don't. But whatever it is, I will always remain steadfast, and keep opening stalls at events like these."

Supriyanti, an Indonesian worker who works for a stall at the bus station, said that there were 800 packages that include different types of cakes and meals, prepared especially for the National Day event. He said that consumers would flock to their stall as early as 5:30am in the morning.

At the same time, 66-year-old veteran Hj Mohd Hussin Hj Salleh traveled all the way to Bandar Seri Begawan from Belait District to set up a stall in front of Yayasan Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Shopping Complex, selling clothes.

In an interview with The Brunei Times, he said, "we're here to enliven the atmosphere. We started since 5am this morning, and alhamdulillah, people started buying our products from the moment we opened our stall."

However, Hj Mohd Hussin, who owns a permanent shop located at the bus station in Kuala Belait (KB), commented that business could be better if the relevant bodies provided business people with a designated spot to operate.

"At the same time, I think youths would be more inclined to follow our footsteps in opening stalls if people were encouraged more through the television and papers," added the experienced businessman from KB.The Brunei Times