‘Ghost Town’ atmosphere at Nilai 3 Business Centre draws netizens’ attention

 

RECENTLY, a photo has been circulating online about the quiet business atmosphere at the Nilai 3 Business Centre, showing the smooth road and the lack of vehicular activity.

Sinar Harian in a post on X claimed that it was similar during the Covid-19 lockdown period, with sales dropping by as much as 50 percent. 

Nilai 3 lengang tiada pelanggan

Suasana seperti negara dilanda Covid-19, jualan merosot 50 peratus.#sinarharian #Nilai3 #Nilailengang https://t.co/83i8QHxAMI

— SinarHarian (@SinarOnline) November 17, 2024

The business centre, which used to be a popular destination before 2019, now appears to resemble a ghost town.

Located about 30 kilometres from Seremban and 45 km from Kuala Lumpur, this largest business centre in Negeri Sembilan was previously a popular spot for both local visitors and foreign tourists due to its reasonably priced goods.

They go there to shop particularly for wedding goods, home decorations, and textiles, and are now facing increasing economic challenges, with the business area looking rather bleak.

One trader mentioned that the area used to be lively with various programmes such as karaoke competitions and weekend sales, but these activities have now ceased due to a lack of interest.

Another claimed the drop in customers might be due to the competition from online sales such as TikTok and Shopee, offering goods at prices lower than the market rate due to the lower operation cost.

Netizens, however, have mixed opinions regarding the situation at the Nilai 3 Business Centre.

Netizen Aizu said that until today, he felt that the place resembled a cartel, adding that he observed several staff members watching shop A then shop B. He believed that most of the shops were owned by less than 10 people.

후스니잠 said, “Don’t think these people have no money coming in. They are smart now, doing promotions online. Also, these are the owners to the other shops elsewhere across the state.”

Another netizen said the reason why business is suffering is due to the many foreign nationals who do business there, from the Indonesians, Pakistani and Bangladeshi.

According to SkepticScripter, it is not surprising to hear that the Nilai 3 Business Centre is not doing well.

“It is evidence that the development is not stable and sustainable. No greenery and no space for people to walk, then there are no public transport and safety infrastructures,” he said. —Focus Malaysia