Location : Kelantan, Malaysia
Mohd Fakri Awang Lah
Source :New Straits Times,28 September 2009
Even the traders who were originally based at the Jalan Hamzah wholesale market in the centre of town were reluctant to move for fear there would be no business.
Today, with business conducted 24 hours a day, it is the busiest place here, especially at night; visitors will be lucky if they can find a parking lot then.
The cheek-by-jowl stalls and carnival-like atmosphere are a far cry from its humble beginnings as a muddy trading site with stalls erected haphazardly and uncoordinated activities.
Wakaf Che Yeh is unique because it operates as a wet market by day and a night market from dusk to midnight. Then, from midnight to early morning, it functions as a wholesale market where fresh fruit, vegetables and other goods can be found.
Come Fridays, the weekly farmer´s market swells the crowd.
The attraction is the variety of items for sale, from cheap Thai-made T-shirts and jeans and household goods to the well-known local batik, at a price which is among the cheapest in Kelantan.
It is also the main place to shop for big occasions, like Hari Raya, but last-minute shopping in the area means having to squeeze through the swollen crowd of returnees, outstation folk who have come back to celebrate the big day.
As is usual in the state, a sizeable number of traders are women, but there are also many men trying to earn a living here.
Wan Saharudin Wan Ismail, 25, from Kubang Telaga, Bachok, started his business by selling non-alcoholic perfume in 2006.
"I started this business with RM4,000 and sourced the perfumes from Kuala Lumpur. The perfumes are a hit with the locals. A 3ml bottle costs only RM10," said the student of Pondok Pasir Tumboh, a religious boarding school here.
Batik trader Lokman Yusof, 41, said business was not moving fast this year because of the economic downturn.
"I started my business here last year and sales could reach up to RM7,000 in a night. But today, it would be good if I can get RM2,000," he said.
Student Masmira Mohd Noh, 23, came all the way from Kuala Krai, which is about 80km from here, to do her last-minute shopping recently.
"I came with my family as there was a wide selection of items on sale besides the lower price.
"At the same time, my mother got household goods and other items she needed."
Last story aku bersama New Straits Times Kota Baru mase praktikal. tahun lepas. publish sehari lepas aku blah dr sana.. hehe.. Agak letih jugak la wat story ni, sbb g mlm bulan puasa.. aku smp umah dekat2 pukul 11.30 mlm.. kerja start kul 9 pg lagi.. hari yg paling letih aku rasa sepanjang 3 bulan praktikal kat sane.. hehe
Mohd Fakri Awang Lah
Source :New Straits Times,28 September 2009
KOTA BARU: Wakaf Che Yeh, which is known for its night market, stands in sharp contrast today to when it first started, about 10 years ago.
When it was set up, many thought its location on the outskirts of the state capital was not viable for a night market.Even the traders who were originally based at the Jalan Hamzah wholesale market in the centre of town were reluctant to move for fear there would be no business.
Today, with business conducted 24 hours a day, it is the busiest place here, especially at night; visitors will be lucky if they can find a parking lot then.
The cheek-by-jowl stalls and carnival-like atmosphere are a far cry from its humble beginnings as a muddy trading site with stalls erected haphazardly and uncoordinated activities.
Wakaf Che Yeh is unique because it operates as a wet market by day and a night market from dusk to midnight. Then, from midnight to early morning, it functions as a wholesale market where fresh fruit, vegetables and other goods can be found.
Come Fridays, the weekly farmer´s market swells the crowd.
The attraction is the variety of items for sale, from cheap Thai-made T-shirts and jeans and household goods to the well-known local batik, at a price which is among the cheapest in Kelantan.
It is also the main place to shop for big occasions, like Hari Raya, but last-minute shopping in the area means having to squeeze through the swollen crowd of returnees, outstation folk who have come back to celebrate the big day.
As is usual in the state, a sizeable number of traders are women, but there are also many men trying to earn a living here.
Wan Saharudin Wan Ismail, 25, from Kubang Telaga, Bachok, started his business by selling non-alcoholic perfume in 2006.
"I started this business with RM4,000 and sourced the perfumes from Kuala Lumpur. The perfumes are a hit with the locals. A 3ml bottle costs only RM10," said the student of Pondok Pasir Tumboh, a religious boarding school here.
Batik trader Lokman Yusof, 41, said business was not moving fast this year because of the economic downturn.
"I started my business here last year and sales could reach up to RM7,000 in a night. But today, it would be good if I can get RM2,000," he said.
Student Masmira Mohd Noh, 23, came all the way from Kuala Krai, which is about 80km from here, to do her last-minute shopping recently.
"I came with my family as there was a wide selection of items on sale besides the lower price.
"At the same time, my mother got household goods and other items she needed."
Last story aku bersama New Straits Times Kota Baru mase praktikal. tahun lepas. publish sehari lepas aku blah dr sana.. hehe.. Agak letih jugak la wat story ni, sbb g mlm bulan puasa.. aku smp umah dekat2 pukul 11.30 mlm.. kerja start kul 9 pg lagi.. hari yg paling letih aku rasa sepanjang 3 bulan praktikal kat sane.. hehe
