HAWKERS are feeling the effects of inflation as the cost of ingredients have risen 15%.

They said business is also suffering as a result of people tightening their belts.

Kuala Lumpur Bumiputera Traders and Hawkers Association vice-president Muhamad Baba Kutty said the government is unable to stop prices from spiralling.

“Everything – coconuts, eggs and vegetables – are now more expensive,” he told The Malaysian Insight.

“People are now more careful when buying from hawker stalls. They stay away from items such as fish and buy cheaper options.”

Baba said operating costs have gone up 15%.

“It has been made worse by the interest rate hikes and the lack of tourists. Only Indonesians, Thais and Indians are coming to Malaysia.”

It is best to hold a general election soon so that foreign investors can regain confidence in Malaysia, he said.

“The current government is not stable.”

Change in consumption habits

Federation of Hawkers and Petty Traders’ Association president Tan Meng Lee said business has not improved for post-pandemic.

“There are no measures to stimulate consumption. Consumption habits have changed; people are only buying what they need and they no longer buy in bulk,” said Tan.

“Hawkers in the southern region have seen their business improve because of their proximity to Singapore, but the same cannot be said for hawkers elsewhere who can barely make ends meet.”

Better in the north and south 

Penang Petty Traders Association president Ooi Thean Huat said inflation has pushed costs up 40%.

“During the pandemic, we could still sustain our business. But it’s harder now,” Ooi said.

As a tourist destination, Penang sees a high volume of visitors.

Because of a manpower shortage, customers have to wait a long time to be served, he said.

Fruit and seafood sellers are seeing a dip in business as people cut down on spending.

“People do not spend as much on chicken, fish, prawns and fruits.” 

He said prices have been adjusted to keep up with inflation.

“A bowl of noodles used to cost RM5, now it costs RM5.50.”

Ooi said hawkers are wary of raising prices again as that may drive customers away. 

South Johor Hawkers and Petty Traders Association chairman Yow Boon Choon said business in the southernmost state is thriving thanks to Malaysians working in Singapore.

“But despite a high volume of customers, we don’t make much profit as the cost of doing business is high.”

But thanks to locals working in and visitors from Singapore, hawkers are surviving, he said.

“The Singapore dollar is worth more than the ringgit, so it is cheap for them to shop in Malaysia.” – October 1, 2022.