IPOH: Lemang sellers at Meru Raya here are enjoying brisk sales as the festive staple is being snapped up for the Hari Raya Aidiladha celebration.

       Many could be seen stopping their cars near the stalls along Jalan Chemur to buy the perennial favourite.

       Safian Shukor, 65, whose stall is located near Taman Meru 2B, said he sold more than 1,000 sticks in the last two days.

       He said business was not as bad as he had feared at a time when the country was still battling the Covid-19 pandemic.

       “The demand for lemang is high and my stall is usually sold out.

       “It is not expensive and is enjoyed by all Malaysians,” he said when met yesterday.

       Safian, however, conceded that sales were not as good as in the pre-pandemic days.

       “I used to supply lemang for Hari Raya open houses organised by government departments. There have been no orders from them since last year,” said the former civil servant.

       “People also used to buy extra as gifts for their relatives or friends, but now they mostly just buy it for their own family,” he added.

       Safian said he has been selling lemang for 10 years during Hari Raya Aidilfitri and Aidiladha.

       “I only open for a week during the Hari Raya Aidiladha celebrations.

       “I do this to pass time and supplement my pension savings.

       “I really hope the pandemic will be over soon so my business can resume as normal,” he added.

       Another seller, Suriani Harun, 44, said she managed to sell 300 sticks since she opened her stall near the Meru Raya Fire and Rescue Station on Sunday.

       “I sold 1,200 sticks during the Ramadan month and Hari Raya Aidilfitri. So I am hoping to at least sell 600 sticks as I am only opening for a week.

       “I just hope to earn some money for my family,” she added.

       Suriani said her husband, who works as a renovator, had not got a job since the first movement control order last year.

       She also had to borrow money to open the stall, she said, adding that she hoped to recoup some of the capital.

       “To be frank, I am a bit stressed out. Most of us just want to earn a decent living.

       “Some people are still reluctant to come out due to the pandemic. I am just hoping for the best,” said the mother of seven.