JOHOR BARU: Consumers not only have to spend more money on food items and essential goods these days, but they also have to fork out more to buy “hell notes” for the coming Hungry Ghost Festival.
Prayer paraphernalia store owner Sim Siew Hua said the price of items such as joss paper, joss sticks, hell notes and candles has increased by about 30% since May.
“A 5kg bottle of oil used for lighting prayer candles recently went up to RM37.50, more than double its price of RM18 three years ago.
“Some customers were quite surprised by the price increase as they are already paying more for food and prayer items which were typically cheaper than other household items,” he said when interviewed at his outlet in Taman Sri Tebrau yesterday.
“The weaker ringgit has also made it more expensive for customers to ‘convert’ their money into hell notes which are burnt for their loved ones,” he quipped, adding that most items were imported from China. He said logistics and the cost of raw materials had led to a price hike.
Despite complaining, consumers are still buying the items for prayers and traditional festivals such as the celebration of a deity’s birthday and the Hungry Ghost Festival or Zhong Yuan Festival, which falls on Aug 12 this year, he added.
Sim also noticed that his customers were buying items in smaller quantities, and the crowds were coming in later than usual.
“My shop used to get busy a month before the festival. These days, customers are coming in only about a week or two before the Ghost month.
“About half are Singaporeans and those working there, but sales are not as brisk as before the Covid-19 pandemic. They fear getting taxed when going through Singapore Immigration when they return,” he added.
Another prayer paraphernalia seller Raymond Shieh, who focuses more on handmade prayer products, said although some items at his shop in Taman Ehsan Jaya had gone up by more than 10%, he however had old stocks in store.
“Luckily, I stocked up on materials such as different papers, cardboards and hot glue sticks a while ago, so I can still keep my prices lower.
“I also add new elements to my creations each year, so my customers will feel that the products are worth it,” he said.
His customer base comprises those in their 20s and 30s who prefer prayer items with “a more modern interpretation”.