Ak Md Khairuddin Pg Harun
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN
VENDORS in Tamu Kianggeh refused to move their operations in the Tamu Gadong facility provided by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MoHA) three years ago.
The vendors told The Brunei Times that they do not want to venture out to a new place as they are comfortable with the current location.
One of the vendors, Hjh Nipah Hj Muhammad, said that transportation was the main reason for her decision to stay in Tamu Kianggeh.
“I don’t drive so I rely mostly on my husband to drive me from Pengkalan Si Babau in Mentiri every morning,” said the 75-year-old.
She also said that she does not want to lose her returning customers.
Although she only makes less than $200 a month in sales, Hjh Nipah said that she would lose her regular customers if she moved out of Tamu Kianggeh.
“Just say my name, people will know about my seafood products such as ikan masin garang gigi (dry salted fish),” she added.
Security was also a concern for Hjh Nipah, as she regularly leaves her goods overnight at the wet market. “I leave my goods here because I trust the people. However, I cannot leave my goods at Tamu Gadong. I don't know the people there,” she said.
Another vendor, Noor Sida Hisan Saliling, said Tamu Kianggeh is much closer to her home.
“I live in Kilanas and spend $3 for travel expenses. But that doesn’t include carrying all the goods,” said the Filipino Muslim convert.
She said that although not as lively as it was in the 1990s, customers still prefer buying fruits and vegetables from Tamu Kianggeh due to the quality of the products sold.
“Unlike in supermarkets, we peel our onions and clean them for our customers. Housewives like that,” added Noor Sida.
In a recent interview on the sidelines of the Regatta Brunei Darussalam 2015, the Minister of Home Affairs Yang Berhormat Pehin Udana Khatib Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Hj Awg Badaruddin Pengarah Dato Paduka Hj Awg Othman revealed that the ministry had initially planned to move the vendors to Tamu Gadong in 2012, but the feedback from vendors were mainly negative as they preferred to stay in Tamu Kianggeh.
The $2.6 million Tamu Gadong has 18 structures built separately, each accommodating six compartments equipped with a bench, a prepaid electricity meter and water supply. The facility is currently unoccupied.
The Minister said that despite the availability of spacious free parking spaces close to Tamu Gadong, the vendors refused to move there.
“Some of the reasons given by the vendors were that Gadong is too far away from their homes and they were already used to selling their products at Tamu Kianggeh for many years,” said YB Pehin Dato Hj Awg Badaruddin.
“The vendors prefer to transport their foods using boats by the river,” said the minister, explaning that vendors prefer to maintain their relationships with their regular customers.
The Minister said Tamu Kianggeh received positive feedback from customers especially during Fridays and Sundays because of the locally-produced products available.
The Minister said that Tamu Kianggeh could get more visitors if the vendors could supply them with highly-demanded local supplies.
He suggested vendors offer a wide variety of affordable and fresh vegetables, fruits and seafood products to customers.
Visitors who thronged Tamu Kianggeh yesterday said they also prefer going to the wet market in the capital to get fresh fruits, vegetables and other ingredients.
Mat Kalar Tahmin, a resident of Kg Ayer, said he would buy fresh vegetables from Tamu Kianggeh because he could just use the water taxi to reach there.
However, one of the regular customers complained about parking and suggested that the wet market would become livelier if the government could provide better parking space in the vicinity.
“If only there are specific free parking spaces for customers, that would be great,” said Hjh Rosmah Yakob, a resident from Rimba.
Sumber - The Brunei Times
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