Chini by-election boosting local economy

CHINI POLLS | The presence of huge numbers of people in the Chini state constituency during the by-election campaign period in the last two weeks has been a blessing to the locals.

Other than party members, security personnel and the media, health workers who are on stand-by here with precautionary measures against Covid-19, bring relief to traders who had to shut down operations since the movement control order (MCO) was enforced on March 18.

Now that the recovery MCO has allowed many businesses to resume, traders in Chini are reaping profits beyond their normal pre-MCO operations.

For some, the profits have doubled due largely to the presence of outsiders who have camped in Chini during the by-election.

Homestay operator Notul Azura Jamaludin, 43, said her three units in Bandar Dara Chini were booked from nomination day until polling day this Saturday.

"It is rare that my homestay units are booked for such long periods, usually at most it's three to five days. I consider this good fortune for us locals,” she told Bernama.

She added that because the existing homestays could not meet the high demand, many settler homes which were unoccupied were converted into homestays.

Meanwhile, laundrette operator Latifah Awang, 59, said the Chini by-election period from June 20 breathed life into the local economy which had suffered during the MCO.

She said her laundrette is now working at full capacity, catering to the increased demand for services, even though she has maintained the usual price of RM3.50 for a kilogramme of clothes.

“There has been an increase in revenue as more people are sending their clothes to the laundrette,” she said.

Owner of a convenience store in Chini 3, Mohd Khairy Barderin, 28, said his revenue had doubled since the by-election began, with customers coming from outside the area to patronise his shop.

Mineral water, instant food and mobile phone top-ups were bestsellers, he said.

“My sales have increased, but many of those who came to my store I have never met before.

“Maybe they are election workers or voters who live elsewhere and have returned home to vote,” he said.

Others such as rental car operators, restaurant owners and fruit sellers have also reaped benefits from the by-election, enjoying increased earnings.

The Chini by-election sees a three-cornered fight between BN’s Mohd Sharim Md Zain, 41, and independent candidates Tengku Zainul Hisham Tengku Hussin, 64, and Mohd Shukri Mohd Ramli, 49.

- Bernama