Meaningful gifts: Abdullah Anas Al-Imran Ghazali, showing one of the many handicrafts available at his stop at Ipoh central market. — RONNIE CHIN/ The Star
IPOH: As the 67th National Day celebration approaches, traders at Ipoh Central Market are facing a noticeable decline in demand for their Merdeka-themed items – a trend that has persisted since the Covid-19 pandemic.
M. Pattamal, 67, a tailor at the market for the past 14 years, voiced her concerns over the slowdown in business.
“Before Covid, I used to get many orders from schools and government departments for hand-sewn national flags, Merdeka-themed tablecloths, and clothing,” she said.
“But in recent years, these orders have dried up.”
Pattamal noted that this period used to be bustling with orders for the Merdeka celebrations, but the pandemic has changed that.
“Now, people prefer to shop online, and the demand for my items has decreased significantly,” she said, reminiscing about the pre-pandemic days when her business was thriving.
“To keep my shop afloat, I depend on word-of-mouth to let people know we’re still open,” said Pattamal.
Saari Ali, 60, a craftsman with 30 years in the business, observed that this year’s patriotic spirit seems to be waning.
“There are fewer Jalur Gemilang flags around, and I think increasing their presence could help reignite the patriotic spirit. The Ipoh City Council should fly more of these flags around this area,” he suggested.
Similarly, craftsman Sabri Ali, 59, who has operated his shop at the market since 1989, noted a decline in orders for Merdeka Day.
“I used to carve labu sayong and produce plaques for government departments, especially for those participating in the National Day parade.
“However, I rarely receive any orders these days,” he said.
Sabri attributed the decrease in orders to budget constraints, with customers prioritising other items over souvenirs.
“People might be opting for Merdeka-themed clothing rather than plaques and other memorabilia,” he said.
