SIBU: The opening of the newly renovated Jaya Li Hua Food Court under the Sibu Municipal Council (SMC), has created new opportunities for food operators to start their businesses.
With a dream of making big through their passion for food and hobby in cooking, these food operators only need to pay RM300 per month for a normal size stall while RM600 for a bigger one.
Even though, the rental excluded utilities, SMC not only provided the place with a security guard to watch for the food operators’ belongings as well as safety but also basic facilities such as tables and chairs for customers.
Venturing into the food business without experience and only armed with an interest in cooking with her sister, Helenna Merikan, 52, said she invested about RM1,500 for her business.
“SMC equipped the stall with basic necessities and facilities such as tables, sinks, and cupboards as well as clean water and electric supply. I only need to bring my own things such as cooking appliances and others.
“Actually, my friend recommended me to apply for this (a stall under SMC). At first, I was sceptical because I never heard of this place before. When I get the approval (for the stall), I almost reject it.
“However, with the support of other food operators here, my sister and I agreed and continue to open our stall. If our stall gets a good response maybe this is a good start for us. If there is an opportunity later, I can open a bigger stall of my own,” she said.
Meanwhile, Nelson Hii, 32, a former chef in Singapore who decided to go back here as requested by his family, said this is his first experience to open his own stall.
“Before this, I worked in Muar, Johor during the Movement Control Order (MCO) due to the pandemic. I have nothing to do during that time and decided to venture into an online business.
“So, I sell Japanese food, bento specifically. Then I work in Singapore as a chef and now I come back here. So, I open up my own stall. For this stall, SMC provides the basic facilities but the decoration and appliances are my own idea,” he said.
Nelson hopes that his dream to open a restaurant of his own later will come true if his stall receives positive response from the public.
Kie Chang Chuong, 32, who invested about RM4,000 on his business, mainly on his cendol machine, expressed his satisfaction that his stall application was approved by SMC.
“I consider this place as strategic as there are a lot of people living here (near the residential area), Sibu Terminal Bus Station is also near as well as the supermarket.
“When I saw SMC is renovating this place, I immediately go to their office and register. Actually, we don’t have a proper food court as big as this one so this is a nice place.
“Hence, I hope people can stop by and try out all the delicacies we have to offer here – from Dayak food to Korean to Japanese to many more. For drinks, I have a variety of ‘ais kacang’ menu,” he said.
Jaya Li Hua Food Court operates starting from 6 am to 10 pm daily with nine stalls but currently, only seven are operating while one is still waiting for their machine to come and another one is open for rental.
