AS the monsoon season settles over Sarawak, the downpour does more than soak the streets – it washes over the livelihoods of those who depend on fair weather to survive. For three local hawkers, this year’s rains have been especially cruel.
Last Friday, I visited the market and spent time having conversations with some, listening as they opened about their struggles and shared the stories behind their stalls.
Mariam, 50, The Fruit Seller
Mariam has spent decades arranging her stall with bright papayas, bananas and rambutans. But this December, her fruits sit untouched. Customers avoid the wet walkways and dripping tarpaulins. During my visit, she said: “I used to sell out by noon,” she sighs, “now I carry half of them back home.” For someone whose income depends on daily turnover, the rain is more than an inconvenience – it’s a threat to survival.
Wei Meng, 35, The Food Stall Hawker
Wei Meng’s steaming bowls of noodles usually draw crowds. But heavy downpours have kept office workers and families away. His stall, once buzzing with chatter, now echoes with silence. “I prepare less food these days,” he admits, “but even then, I waste more than I sell.” The rainy season has turned his kitchen into a place of uncertainty.
Ah Kwong, 49, The Butcher
For Ah Kwong, selling fresh meat requires trust and foot traffic. But with fewer customers braving the weather, his stock risks spoiling. “Meat doesn’t wait,” he explains. “If it’s not sold, it’s a loss.” His stall, once a hub for loyal buyers, now struggles to break even.
The Pain of the Season
These hawkers embody resilience, yet the rain exposes their vulnerability. Their stories remind us that small businesses are the backbone of local communities but they often lack the safety nets larger enterprises enjoy.
Can Hawkers Adapt?
While the weather cannot be controlled, strategies can help hawkers adapt and sustain their livelihoods during the unforgiving rainy season. The stories of Mariam, Wei Meng and Ah Kwong remind us that resilience is not just about enduring hardship – it is about finding new ways forward.
Digital Presence
One of the most immediate solutions lies in embracing technology. By setting up simple social media pages or joining food delivery platforms, hawkers can reach customers who prefer staying dry at home. Mariam could showcase her fresh fruits through daily Facebook posts while Wei Meng’s steaming bowls of noodles could be ordered via delivery apps. Ah Kwong, too, could offer pre-packed beef portions for online purchase. Digital visibility ensures that even when foot traffic slows, their businesses remain accessible.
Rain-Proof Infrastructure
Physical improvements can also make a difference. Investing in better stall covers, raised platforms or shared sheltered spaces will help markets remain functional during storms. Customers are far more likely to visit if they know they won’t be drenched or forced to wade through puddles. For hawkers, these upgrades mean fewer spoiled goods and a more welcoming environment, even when the skies open up.
Community Collaboration
Hawkers thrive on community and collaboration can be a powerful tool. By pooling resources, they could share delivery services, cross-promote each other’s stalls or even offer bundled deals – imagine a package of Mariam’s fruits, Wei Meng’s noodles and Ah Kwong’s beef, all delivered together. Such partnerships not only reduce costs but also create a sense of unity that customers appreciate.
Seasonal Innovation
Creativity is another way to fight back against the gloom. Seasonal specials tailored to rainy days could entice customers. Mariam might prepare hot fruit teas, Wei Meng could serve comforting rainy-day meals, and Ah Kwong could market ready-to-cook beef packs for families staying indoors. These innovations turn the rainy season from a challenge into an opportunity to surprise and delight customers.
Local Support Campaigns
Finally, broader community support is essential. Municipal councils and local organisations could organise “Rainy Season Hawker Days”, encouraging residents to support vendors despite the drizzle. Such campaigns would not only boost sales but also remind the public of the cultural and social value hawkers bring to everyday life.
A Path Forward
The rain may fall but it need not wash away livelihoods. By embracing digital tools, strengthening infrastructure, collaborating with one another, innovating their offerings, and rallying community support, hawkers like Mariam, Wei Meng and Ah Kwong can weather the storm. Their stalls are more than businesses – they are lifelines of tradition, flavour and resilience.
Closing Thought
The rain may fall but it need not wash away livelihoods. Mariam, Wei Meng, and Ah Kwong represent countless hawkers whose struggles often go unnoticed. Their resilience deserves recognition – and with creativity, community and adaptation, they can weather the storm and keep their stalls alive.
Their stories remind us that even in the hardest seasons, hope can take root. When people stand together, offer support and choose to uplift one another, small businesses don’t just survive – they find new ways to thrive, grow and shine despite the rain.
The views expressed here are those of the writer and do not necessarily represent the views of Sarawak Tribune. The writer can be reached at drjohnlau@gmail.com.
