MELAKA – In a nook of Bibik House Durian Cendol, sat an elderly man in his 60s clad in a white polo shirt quietly enjoying his home cooked lunch, away from prying eyes.
It was truly a rare sight to witness a restaurateur, or in Lim Hock Chuan’s case – a cendol shop owner – to have so much idle time on hand especially at lunchtime.
Only one table among the dozens available in the dessert house located at the end of Jonker Street was filled during lunch hour on a stifling Thursday afternoon.
The steep drop in his business due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the lack of forthcoming aid meant that Lim has given up all hope for any government – be it state or federal.
I certainly refused to pass up the opportunity to order a bowl of thirst-quenching durian cendol and sat down with Lim, more fondly known as Uncle Lim, for a quick chat, where he shared his struggles on keeping his business afloat.
“During the lockdown, we took a break for six months and only lived on our savings. There were no customers and there was nothing we could do about it.
“In order to maintain the quality of our cendol, it is impossible for us to go online. We only serve walk-in customers,” he said.
Serving the local icy treat for 17 years now, Uncle Lim and his wife of over 40 years, have thought of hanging up their aprons for good.
“If it wasn’t for my landlord who so graciously gave us a more than 80% reduction in rental during the MCO period, you won’t have the chance to taste my cendol today.”
“I have not once received financial aid from the government since the first MCO was implemented.
“I’m just really disappointed. We can’t depend on anyone, definitely not on the government, but only ourselves.
“I don’t have hope for the new government. What the government wants, it will do as it pleases,” the Kota Laksamana voter said.
Similar sentiments were shared by manager of Peranakan Place, May Kang, who told The Vibes that she, too, places no hope in the new Melaka government, which will be determined in the upcoming state polls tomorrow.
“The government is always changing but it’s still the same. For us, it’s work, eat, sleep, and repeat. All we have is ourselves.
“All we want is for the economy to recover as soon as possible,” Kang said.
Like Uncle Lim, the 38-year-old voter in the Machap Jaya constituency has yet to see signs of economic revival although domestic tourists have returned to the historical state.
“Business is not as good as before. There is a significant drop in the number of customers.
“Jonker Walk is highly dependent on international tourists, especially those from China and Singapore. We can only earn big money from international tourists.
“Right now, we are barely making ends meet,” Kang said.
Meanwhile, Jonker Street sotong bakar vendor Calvin Lim chooses to keep faith that the chosen government will be able to alleviate the burden of the people and bring Melaka back to its glory days.
“If I have lost all hope, I won’t be here anymore. I would have left for another country,” Lim said in jest.
“It’s been very tough on us, but we will shutter (if the government does not help). We have been around for over 20 years – before Jonker Street was even founded.
“I hope the new government will improve the economy in the state. We are not asking for much. At this point, we only hope to cover our expenses, it’s not about profiting. That is all.”
On October 4, the state assembly was dissolved after four assemblymen withdrew their support for former chief minister Datuk Seri Sulaiman Md Ali.
The Election Commission has fixed November 20 for voting, with early voting last Wednesday. Nominations were held on November 8. – The Vibes, November 19, 2021
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