ELECTION campaigns have always brought good business to local economies, but not so in the ongoing Johor elections.

Only four- and five-star hotels, mainly in Johor Baru, are benefitting from two weeks of election campaigning, while eateries are seeing a 20% increase in business.

The windfall hoteliers had been expecting, as with elections past, has not materialised, and has dashed hopes of quicker recovery following Covid lockdowns.

Malaysian Association of Hotels Johor chapter chairman Ivan Teo said the 40% to 60% occupancy rate for four- and five-star rated hotels in Johor Baru is nowhere near the 80% to 90% pre-pandemic levels.

Hotels in this category have benefitted the most from the polls, compared with other types of accommodation, as they are venues chosen for events by ministers and political parties.

Still, it is nowhere close to what the hotel sector enjoyed during the 14th general election in 2018, said Jarod Chia, chairman of the Malaysia Business Hotel Association Johor.

“In past elections, we could see an increase in hotel occupancy, but not this time.” 

He observed that people coming to work or volunteer for the elections preferred to stay in AirBnB units.

“Business and medium-sized hotels are no longer the first choice.

“This election, there were no crowds seen and the occupancy rate was not good.”

The food sector, however, is doing better, with restaurants and hawkers reporting a 20% increase in business volume.

“Election and party workers, candidates and their teams all come out to eat, so it’s been a good time for business,” said Loi Han Ern, the owner of the popular Traffic Light Coffee Shop in Yong Peng.

His shop, located near a main traffic light intersection, usually draws tourists from Singapore, but business was dead during the Covid-19 epidemic.

Since campaigning for the Johor polls began two weeks ago, Loi said business had increased by between 15% and 20%.

“In my observation, patrons are a mix of people from political parties and a few tourists,” he said.

Larger Chinese restaurants are also faring well as political parties have been holding bigger meals in the last two to three weeks, said Johor Kitchen Association president Ang Swee Kiong.

He said restaurants were fortunate that the Johor polls followed closely after the Chinese New Year festival. Otherwise, restaurants would be quiet.

Ang added that a trickle of tourists from Singapore have returned, following the implementation of the vaccinated travel lane arrangement between Malaysia and the republic.

However, Ang said although customer turnover is improving, operating costs have risen by 20%, making business viability for restaurants an ongoing challenge.

Hawker stalls are perhaps the ones seeing a real boom, thanks to the elections. They are fast and convenient, just the thing busy party workers and election volunteers need.

South Johor Hawkers and Petty Traders Association chairman Yow Boon Choon said hawker takeaway business was on the rise.

“We’ve had many party workers come and order meals to take away, as they have large teams of people to feed,” he said.

Snack stall owner, Mohd Latif, 63, also said his business had increased by 10% during the campaign period, adding he could even make a small profit.

“Business is good during elections,” he said. – March 11, 2022.