Customers come for the talks, stay for the food

Serving the people: Riaoctafani packing food for sale at her roadside stall in Lebuhraya Darul Aman.

ALOR SETAR: Eateries and coffee shops are enjoying the spillover effects of GE15 as political candidates and their entourage hit the campaign trail.

This is especially true in smaller towns and remote locations, with stall operators and coffee shop owners enjoying brisk business over the past few days, while expecting more customers on the eve of polling day tomorrow.

Stall operator Riaoctafani Hadi, 36, said based on her experience from GE14 in 2018, she is considering opening her business on Friday and Saturday (polling day itself).

“Normally, Fridays and Saturdays are our days off, but considering the profit that we could gain, I think we’re going to be open for business,” she said when met at her stall in Lebuhraya Darul Aman recently.

Riaoctafani, who sells nasi goreng ayam kunyit with her husband, said their business hours are usually from 10am to 8pm, but they are considering extending it to midnight on those two days.

“This is a time when stall operators like me can double our income as there will be outsiders and many locals who will be returning home to cast their votes. We are expecting to sell about 300 packs of nasi goreng ayam kunyit.

“I still remember the night when they announced the results of the last general election.

“It was like a carnival here where people were celebrating their parties’ victory.”

Coffee shop owner Muhammad Subuhan Ali Asarafali, 18, said he had people from out of town buying takeaway food and drink in sizeable quantities.

“Most of them are party volunteers and those whose work is related to the general election,” he said.

The third-generation owner said he also expects more customers in the next two days.

“With the polling centre only a few kilometres from my shop at Kampung Lubok Peringgi, I hope that business will see a boom.”

In Bukit Mertajam on the Penang mainland, roadside stall traders are experiencing brisk business due to the presence of party workers and volunteers.

Fried chicken seller Amirul Zaini, 26, said he saw a spike in business from a week ago.

“Business has improved since the date of GE15 was announced. There are more people, especially youths, in this area lately. I heard that there is an operation centre nearby.

“Most of our customers usually drop by for tea at around 3pm,” said Amirul, who used to be a lorry driver.

Iced drinks seller Mohd Khairul Shah Khamis, 43, said his business has increased over the past week, especially on hot days.

“We managed to sell between 200 and 300 packets of iced drinks, compared with 100 packets before.

“Our peak hours are usually between noon and 2pm.

“While the rainy season has stopped customers from coming in droves, the numbers will soar on hot days,” said Mohd Khairul, who has been selling iced drinks for more than five years.