Chicken vendor laments low homecoming crowd for Gawai

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Chew and his family members run their business at a makeshift stall next to Sibu Express Boat Terminal.

SIBU: Fewer people returning home for Gawai Dayak this year has been blamed for the drop in the sales of live chicken.

Local vendor Chew Ang Liong said usually around this time, they would be experiencing brisk business.

“But this year, this business is slow and our sales have dropped compared with the previous years.

“I think this has to do with fewer people heading home for the celebration. Perhaps, better road connectivity is also a reason behind the sluggish business.

“Because of this, fewer people are making use of express boats, unlike in the past. I still recall the days when people would drop by at my stall to obtain their supplies before heading to the terminal,” he told reporters yesterday.

Chew runs his business at a makeshift stall next to the terminal and with help from family members, he operates round-the-clock selling eggs and chicken.

He started trading there on Thursday and would open his stall till the eve of Gawai.

According to Chew, he needs to operate round-the-clock as there would be customers who arrive there in the wee hours of the day after disembarking from buses that come from places such as Bintulu and Miri.

“They would want to buy chicken before taking the early express boat bound for their hometowns and villages,” he added.