JOHOR BARU, May 28 — Like many entrepreneurs in Malaysia, Mohamad Ridwan Mustafa breathed a huge sigh of relief when the country started to transition into the endemic stage from April 1. He had been struggling to keep his restaurant business in Taman Universiti, near here, afloat the past two years.
Right now, the 36-year-old runs the restaurant with his wife Mustika Mohd Rani. They are helped by his sister and one other staff member. Mohamad Ridwan had quit his full-time job as a pest control technician back in 2020 to fully concentrate on his food business which he first started as a side venture.Another business that has been reporting brisk sales since the border reopening is the famous Hiap Joo Bakery on Jalan Tan Hiok Nee.
Lim also pointed out that Hiap Joo just revised their price list in February and the banana loaf cake is now selling at 20 per cent more. This is also due to the preferential currency exchange where the Singapore dollar is stronger against the Malaysian ringgit. “Basically it’s been over a month and our regular customers from Singapore have started coming here again after a long two years.
Despite the positive momentum, Mus believes that the spike in Singapore visitors was more to do with the fasting month. Most workshops located within the city and its outskirts near the Second Link crossing cater to Singaporean motorists who mainly go for basic servicing such as oil change and scheduled parts replacement.
man Perling based car workshop Hong Fatt Garage has seen a return of their former — as well as new — Singaporean customers. He pointed out that in Johor Baru, the Bazar Karat night bazaar and the Pasar Borong Pandan wholesale market are popular with Singaporean shoppers. “Basically most traders know that the positive sales is a temporary thing due to the holiday season as well as the border being newly open.