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KOTA KINABALU – The average Sabahan is focused on daily expenses for essential goods before any indulgence to celebrate the coming Hari Raya Aidilfitri due to the higher costs this year and the current economic situation.
A survey found that traders in the state are also trying their best to provide reasonable prices to the public, but with a few days left until Raya, the demand for goods to celebrate the festival, especially cakes and biscuits, is still more sluggish than upbeat.
Kuih raya trader Salmah Shakil, 49, who has been in business since 2006, said the relatively expensive price of kuih is one of the reasons for the lack of booming sales this year, in addition to the omnipresent competition from online traders.
“Sales have been really slow this year. The prices are really high, but if someone asks for less, we will give a discount and reasonable price to the buyer,” she said at the Wisma Majlis Ugama Islam Sabah bazaar here, today.
Nurul Syazwani Abdul Ghani, 34, admitted that the selling price of her Raya cakes has seen a slight uptick due to the rise in cost of goods, but the mother of three said she was grateful that regular customers still place special orders for Raya cakes from Johor Baru.
“The prices of cakes have definitely gone up a little this year, because now (prices of ingredients) have gone up, but there are still buyers,” said Nurul, who has been in business for 15 years.
Single mother Nuridah Sallih, 53, who has seven children, said this year’s Raya will be celebrated with restraint, in ensuring that last year’s purchases and acquisitions do not go to waste.
“Currently, our finances and budget are just enough, especially for me as I’m just a single mother, so I just prepare with what I have,” said Nuridah, who sells perfume.
The same philosophy of moderation is also shared by Khalid Kalali, 48, who said this year’s Raya preparations mean buying Raya clothes and cakes according to the family’s means.
“It’s hard coming to grips with prices. Some (goods) are cheap, some are expensive but because the economy is not so good this year, we just go with what we can afford,” he said.
Civil servant Amran Abdullah, 51, is also keeping to modest preparations for Raya this year as daily expenses take precedence over Raya extravagance in the current economic situation.
“The prices of goods, including clothing, daily necessities are indeed quite high compared with a few years ago,” he said.
Meanwhile, Sabah Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry director Georgie Abas said that as many as 21 daily necessities were listed as price-controlled items in the Festive Season Maximum Price Scheme for Raya this year.
He said his department has appointed officers to monitor popular shopping locations and check traders’ adherence to the scheme, starting from April 15 to April 30.
“244 premises have been inspected so far and no cases have been raised. Last year, 4,667 inspections were carried out throughout Sabah for five festive seasons, namely Chinese New Year, Raya, Kaamatan, Deepavali, and Christmas, with 19 cases identified,” he said.
He said the ministry welcomes any complaints about the price of goods from the public, who can submit complaints via WhatsApp at 019-279-4317 or 019-848-8000; the complaint portal; and the complaint line at 1-800-886-800. – Bernama, April 17, 2023