PETALING JAYA: A drizzle here, a downpour there – whichever one it is, it has rained on the parade of hawkers and market traders.
Malaysian Federation of Hawkers and Petty Traders Associations president Voon Chin Leong estimated that stall operators have seen a 30% drop in business since the rainy season began.
“It has affected open air traders wanting to sell Chinese New Year decorations,” he said, adding that hawkers had been affected as well.
Voon said going by his observation, the rains were more “extreme” this year.
South Johor Hawkers and Petty Traders Association chairman Datuk Yow Boon Choon said hawkers in Johor had not been spared, with some of them seeing a 50% reduction in business.
He said the conclusion of the FIFA World Cup also meant fewer customers and the end of the school holidays soon would lead to even less business.
However, he is hoping for a boost in the weeks leading to Chinese New Year.
“People would usually be busy shopping for the festivities, so the night markets will get vibrant,” he added.
Tan Meng Lee, a former president of a petty traders’ association, said hawkers had to throw away more food due to the bad weather.
He said some experienced hawkers would cope financially by cutting down on bulk orders of supplies and ingredients.
“They would take just enough supply until it runs out,” he added.
The rainy days, said Tan, would affect those wanting to sell food or Chinese New Year clothes.
“They are worried that they won’t be able to sell their stockpile of Chinese New Year goods.
“Over the past week, hawkers’ business has gone down by 50%.”
