A long line of people waiting to receive free packets of the rice dish at Padang Brown Food Complex. — ZHAFARAN NASIB/The Star
EVERY year during the Maulidur Rasul celebration, hawkers at the Padang Brown Food Complex in George Town have shared with communities a meal of fragrant rice dish cooked in ghee and spices, and served with chicken curry.
This has been their tradition over the past half century.
Known as nasi maulid, the dish distributed by the hawkers has become so anticipated that people queue up to receive a packet of it.
This year, 1,500 packets of nasi maulid were distributed to those who had queued at the complex from 8am.
Despite the rain, people waited eagerly until the meals were handed out at about 10am.
The stalls were closed for the day as the hawkers were busy packing and distributing the food.
Some visitors stayed to enjoy the warm dishes on-site while others took their meals home to share with loved ones.
Padang Brown Food Complex Hawkers Association chairman Jamal Mohamed said a caterer prepared the meals this year.
“However, the hawkers packed the food to be distributed,” he said.
Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow commended the hawkers for holding the annual event.
“I am glad to see the unity among Penangites who came together to showcase their concern for needy communities.
“Although the organisers are just ordinary traders, their selfless attitude to share has truly livened up the celebration,” he said.
Chow said Penang Island City Council (MBPP) was constantly upgrading the food complex, which has been operating for many decades.
He said the complex’s drainage system was expected to be repaired soon.
Also present were Deputy Finance Minister and Tanjong MP Lim Hui Ying.
At the event, Chow announced that Penang would continue to attract investors.
He highlighted that Penang recorded an approved investment of RM71.9bil last year, making it one of the top investment destinations in Malaysia.
He said this was a significant increase compared to RM16.3bil in 2022 despite facing global economic challenges.
“Foreign direct investment contributed as much as RM61.7bil, which is 85.8% of the total investment in the same year.
“These facts show investors’ confidence in the capabilities of our beloved state,” he said.
Chow said two upcoming industrial areas in Batu Kawan, namely Bandar Cassia Technology Park (BCTP) and Batu Kawan Industrial Park 3 (BKIP3), were scheduled to be ready by 2026.
He said earthworks and construction at BCTP were going smoothly, to provide 122ha of industrial land.
“Four investors have moved in and two of them have started construction works.
“Together with Phase One of BKIP3, both are expected to be ready by 2026 to address the shortage of industrial land in Penang,” he added.
