PASIR PUTEH: Who would have guessed there is a morning market selling various daily necessities in Kampung Guntong here which is located in a rubber estate?
The market is only open on Fridays. As early as 6am, around 100 hawkers open their businesses and leave around noon.
Among the items sold include used and pre-loved goods, plants, fish, vegetables, bags and children’s toys on plastic mats on the ground.
However, the food vendors arrange their food items and cakes on tables.
Lovers of “kampong” vegetables and “ulam” can get greens cheap which are very fresh as the sellers plant and gather them from their own plots.
The usual early market visitors consist of the congregation from the nearby mosque who stop by to buy breakfast as well as vegetables and fish, after the Subuh (dawn) prayers.
As the sun rises, people from nearby villages and districts, including from Terengganu start to flood into the market.
Wahab Yusof, 52 from Jerteh, Terengganu, who came with his wife and children, said they loved the hustle and bustle of the market as it reminded him of a market scene in the 1972 film, “Laksamana Do Re Mi”.
In the film directed by the legendary Tan Sri P Ramlee and produced by Shaw Brothers there was a character called Re, portrayed by Ibrahim Din, where he tried to haggle the price of some vegetables in a very funny way.
“However, the absence of signboards makes it hard for people especially outsiders to find the market.
“Hence I would recommend for the local authorities to erect signages and exhibit some information about this ‘Pasar Pendekar’. I am convinced that this market can attract tourists,” he said.
Although the business period of the market is short and only once a week, the traders still make profits.
Salim (full name not available), 45, who sells bundled clothing, earns a net income of between RM200 and RM300 per business day, although he sells the clothes at standard prices of between RM1 to RM15.
Meanwhile, the rubber estate owner, who only wanted to be known as Sarimah, said her husband and her have been providing the market space for the past 20 years.
“The traders bought their business sites for only RM100 and only trade at their specific space. If they are absent, their space will be empty.
“They are also charged RM5 per site a week as a cleanliness fee,” she added. – Bernama
