Danial Norjidi (Borneo Bulletin)

POWER outages and muted levels of entertainment could not keep vendors nor the public away from the capital yesterday as the annual night market held in conjunction with His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam’s 63rd Birthday began as scheduled.

The air was full of sweet and savoury aromas oftraditional food as people thronged the night market, buying food, clothes, balloons and many other wares on offer.

It was notable that many stalls were still being set up, due to many of the vendors not expecting the reinstatement of the night market.

Present at the night market to conduct a working visit was the Minister of Home Affairs, Pehin Orang Kaya Johan Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Awg Hj Adanan bin Begawan Pehin Siraja Khatib Dato Seri Setia Awg Hj Mohd Yusof, along with other senior officials of the ministry.

Dyg Hjh Saimah, one of the vendors who has operated a stall for the past eight consecutive years, when asked how business would be this year, replied: “Business may not be as good as previous years due to the current Influenza A(H1N1) outbreak, as well as the lack of entertainment.”

Another vendor, Awg Hj Rosli, who has never failed to operate his `Iongan’ stall during His Majesty’s annual birthday celebrations, when asked whether or not the outbreak of the Influenza A(H1N1) virus would affect businesses, answered: “Yes, definitely. Business could be affected in a bad way. Due to the outbreak of the virus, people will be afraid to come to crowded places.

“We are expecting lower profits this year compared to previous years,” he added.

Meanwhile, Dyg Rosni Abd Rahman, who runs a stall at the night market with her husband and five children, said: “I would like to thank His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam for giving us the opportunity to peddle our wares again this year. All of us vendors are very thankful to His Majesty for allowing us this privilege.”

Many of the night market’s patrons wore facemasks for preventive measures against the virus.
One man, Iswandi Ahmad, however, was not wearing a mask. When asked why, he responded: “Because it is not in the 10 recommendations. I’m not sick. Only sick people or people treating those affected need to wear them.

“During these festivities, when you eat, talk, or want to tell the vendors what you want to buy, you need to take off your facemask anyway,” he added.

“I will say this though to the vendors, please wear facemasks.”

• Live displays at Brunei Art Forum Exhibition
• Lost
• Visiting hours at hospital need to be respected
• 'Capitalise on Tutong's tourism'
• Blue Flag bid begins with ubiquitous recycling bins