SIBU: The Sibu Central Market perfectly illustrates Sarawak’s multiracial and multicultural harmony.
The market attracts people of all races and from all walks of life, buying and selling various goods ranging from vegetables and fruits to handicrafts and a host of others.
One of the iconic images at the market is of a stall selling live chicken wrapped in newspapers.
According to Karen Mina, who is in charge of the stall, the business had been there for years – even before the market was built in 1996.
The 50-year-old said business was good despite the competition offering slaughtered chicken.
“We usually prepare 36 chickens a day for sale. Depending on the weight, the price would vary from RM20 to below RM30 per chicken.
“We find that usually sales would be good during the weekends compared to weekdays and at month’s end. In a month, we sell up to 100 chickens to customers of various races.”
Karen said she had been roping in her children to assist her in the business.
“It is important for me to impart the knowledge and interest to my children so that the business can go on.
“There are days where we had to bring back the chickens as there are no buyers, this is not something to be discouraged about.”
Meanwhile, Faitah Wahed, who sells local produce such as sago, honey, belacan and sarong ketupat,said the market was always filled with people.
The 47-year-old shared that her sarong ketupat are often bought by customers who sell satay.
“I can easily make 100 sarong ketupat in a day and I sell 10 pieces for RM2. Since the pandemic has subsided, there has been an improvement in my daily sales.”
Sharing on how she also makes ketupat Iban or ketupat miring, she said it is a sought-after item by the Iban community, especially during the Gawai Festival and at the end of the year.
She gets her supply of daun biru for the ketupat Iban from an Iban lady who would provide two bundles per day.
“It is more complicated to make the ketupat Iban compared to the usual ketupat sarong because it is much smaller and intricate.
“I usually sell eight pieces for RM1 if it is empty while the ones filled with rice would be eight pieces for RM2.”
A vegetable seller, who wished to be known as Ngu, said his stall was always one of the earliest to open, at 5am.
The 80-year-old said he grew the vegetables in the backyard of his home and he had been selling there for more than 30 years.
“I am very thankful that demand for my vegetables is continuous. I usually bring home about RM200 to RM300 every day and this accumulates to RM4,000 to RM5,000 per month.”
Ngu expressed hope for the businesses at the market to continue to prosper despite stiff competition from supermarkets.
“It is great to see that there are still many people who prefer to buy their groceries at the market. This will help small traders like myself to continue earning a living.”
