Firecracker Boost For Ramadhan Food Sales
By Azlan Othman

Bandar Seri Begawan - Failing to lure customers with gourmet specialties, some local restaurant owners have now grabbed a chance of a $50 permission fee imposed by the BSB Municipal Department, to sell firecrackers that have become legal just for this period of Ramadhan, to get customers back.

Hajah Maidi who operated a stall selling firecrackers and Songkok near the Borneo cinema in the capital said, he could earn a profit of $10 a day for selling firecrackers and another $10 profit for selling an average of five 'Songkoks a day.

Batcha, a manager of Seri lndah restaurant located opposite the Old Customs wharf in the capital expected business of firecrackers and selling of scented water powder to peak up from 20th day of fasting onwards.

"The frenzy is still not there yet, though he admitted that there is a 25% profit daily by selling the firecrackers and Kuehs. However, he's afraid to sell large quantity of fire-crackers, fearing that it might contradict with the Municipal board regulations."

"For this fasting month, four of our staff took leave since business is slow where my restaurant is only open until 5pm and there's no food to be sold to the public at the restaurant except local 'Kuehs'."

But he made a profit of 10% for selling ever-popular long fireworks that eliminate an array of colour, besides the `Gating' (top spinning) type.

Another manager, Ashraf Ali from Al-Hilal restaurant in Jln Sultan said they open the restaurant as usual from Sam to l Opm to cater for non-Muslim customers.

"Of course it affects our business 100%. But we pay the restaurant rental fee mounting to $5,000 from the money that we saved prior to Ramadhan while profits from Ramadhan are used to pay the employees' wages."

"We practised savings so that there's no panic during the time when business is slow (in Ramadhan)." He admitted that selling firecrackers used to be a lucrative business, citing that he could earn up to 35% profit if good strategy is used to lure customers.- But now every supermarket is also selling them (firecrackers).

Hj Syed Anayatullah Shah, Director of Dyg Limah dan Anak-Anak tailor shop and Halimah Trading who happened to be in that area said restaurant business is affected unlike his tailoring business for the festive Hari Raya which is overwhelming where profit sky-rocketed up to 400%.

Hj Syed, whose shop has branches in at least four areas in the Brunei-Muara District said his business, which deals with tailoring government uniforms, have been established for years and this helps to boost customers confidence.

"Normally, we will ask the relevant government authorities to reduce their tailoring needs during festive season to cater heavy demand during festive season. I came across a Bruneian who asked his tailor shop to complete the making of Malay outfit or 'Baju Cara-Melayu' within a day in time for Hari Raya. In that, we have to open until the early hours of the morning or 'Sahur'," he said.  -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

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