GEORGE TOWN: With Hari Raya drawing near, many people are busy preparing for the festivity such as spring cleaning and baking cookies so food delivery riders have been the ones entrusted to ensure daily meals are sent out on time.
But the riders are not complaining, as more trips mean they are earning more money.
Rider Muhammad Faiz Syahmi Ahmed Mashoor, 19, said his weekly income had doubled to RM600 over the past two weeks.
“Most people have no time to cook as they are busy preparing for Hari Raya.
“They prefer ordering food online. The orders have doubled, especially during buka puasa time,” he said.
Muhammad Faiz Syahmi said another reason for the spike in orders was because most working parents had returned to their workplace, leaving their children at home.
“With both parents working, these teenage children order food online,” said Muhammad Faiz Syahmi, an undergraduate who is on semester break.
Another rider, Muhammad Irzan Ariffin, 34, expects to earn RM500 in the last week of Ramadan.
He used to make only about RM200 a week.
“People have started ordering food online for the past two weeks. I believe many are busy preparing for Hari Raya.
“There are some who would be celebrating Raya in their hometowns for the first time in two years.
“That’s why many are ordering food delivery. Home-cooked food can always wait,” he said.
Muhammad Irzan, a delivery rider for two years, said he and the other riders were glad to be able to earn more for the upcoming festive season.
“I can use the money to buy new clothes for my two children and necessities for Hari Raya,” he said.
Muhammad Irzan, from Sungai Ara, said he would only take off on the first day of Hari Raya.
“After that I’ll continue working as I need to earn money every day,” he said.
Another rider, Osman Ali, 30, said he was happy to get more trips these days, adding that more orders were expected over the weekend.
“Our services are very much needed as people have been busy preparing for Hari Raya. I’ll definitely work more hours to earn more,” he said.