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All Roads Lead To The ATMs
By Amin Hosni

Bandar Seri Begawan - The end of the year, for many alike in the country, signifies a whole year of hard and dedicated work in their professions and perhaps the time of year when they can spend time with their loved ones especially children during school holidays.

While some go shopping, there are still others who save money or finish paying debts or loans to lessen the burden of having to pay excessive amounts on monthly basis such as car and personal loans, credit cards etc.

As predicted, all roads were seen leading to banks yesterday and traffic was congested. ATMs were the hub for quick withdrawal, which definitely saw long queues of customers anxiously waiting for their turn.

Despite Wednesday being a working day and Christmas eve, patrons were seen queuing at ATMs even during office hours to do some last-minute shopping.

Esteemed customers from banks around the Sultanate were observed yesterday by the Bulletin queuing at major ATMs in the capital, mostly in Serusop, Gadong and Kiulap shopping areas as reporters captured the moment. One would be willing to spend an hour in the long queue to withdraw hard earned money even in the hot sun.

In business industry view, the early wages along with the bonus, which coincides with the year-end sale, means more customers shopping and perhaps making it the only time of the year when trade will boom.

A sales representative at a baby clothes outlet in the Kiulap shopping area noted that certain items such as baby cots, clothes and toys have already seen an increase in sales with some out of stock even before the salary comes out.

When inquired by the Bulletin, she said some customers would book certain items usually a month in advance by depositing 50 per cent of the price of the item and pay the balance as soon as the salary comes out.

"Sometimes customers book early in fear that they might miss out on the item. Those who have the money usually buy the items as soon as the sale starts," she added.

She concluded that the shop is expecting "big business" and a rise in sales, while it will definitely be bustling with customers as soon as their pay comes out this month.

As in every other year, the market has been increasing during the seasonal sales with highest business transactions taking place during year end while the government in their role encourages Bruneians to shop locally. There are still quite a number who prefer to spend in neighbouring countries such as Miri and Limbang on grounds that household products are cheaper.

The Bulletin also talked to a customer waiting in queue yesterday at one of the banks in the busy shopping complexes in Delima. The government officer, who declined to be named, said she had been waiting in line over an hour for her number to be called.

She elaborated that she chose to withdraw at the counter because the queue for the ATM spilled out onto the road in the hot sun. She added that the ATMs only had a limit of withdrawing $2,000 in 24 hours per person and since it was bonus-day, she wanted to withdraw more.

She continued saying that since Dec 25 will be a public holiday it was her only chance to take out money for some early shopping.

Mubarak and Zulkhairy, both government servants who work as teachers, were spotted eagerly counting their money as they withdrew cash from ATMs early yesterday morning in the Batu Bersurat shopping area.

They ecstatically told the Bulletin that they were going to use the money for shopping, paying bills and buying daily necessities.

The Bulletin also found that ATMs at Batu Bersurat shopping areas had fewer people using them as compared to Serusop, Gadong and Kiulap shopping areas.

Meanwhile, a pensioner, Hjh Mariam, 49, who goes to the finance ministry every month said, "although pensioners do not get government bonuses, we are still grateful to His Majesty's Government for allowing us to receive our monthly income earlier this month.

It allows us to shop and buy our daily necessities at a discounted rate during the sale while not having to rush before it finishes.

"The same goes for those with children that still go to school, the early salary, bonus, or pension enables them to survey bookshops to find better offers and purchase school items such as stationeries during the sale," she added.    -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

Related News: Bonus Day: No Rush During Office Hours

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