By Marlynda Meraw
KUCHING, Aug 17: It is a boisterous day in Sarawak, especially in Petra Jaya, Kuching, as the Malaysia Games (Sukma) 2024 commences its official opening at the Sarawak Stadium today.
The queue was endless as crowds had begun lining up as early as 3pm, hours ahead of the Sukma opening ceremony that is set to take place at 8pm in order to get a good view of the entire event.
Despite the fickle weather of sun and rain, it failed to deter the crowds as they looked forward to celebrating and supporting such a memorable event.
To battle the heat and hunger, crowds gathered at the Sukma Carnival 2024, where there were about 110 stalls open for people to quench their thirst and fill their bellies.
For some others, the Sukma Carnival 2024 becomes a platform for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and local vendors to earn at a bigger scale, including 64-year-old Rubaidah Ojek.
Though Rubaidah has been selling various kinds of fritters and Western food for 40 years and counting, this year is her first time setting up a stall during Sukma.
“I have been selling since I was around 20 years old until I no longer have teeth,” joked Rubaidah.
She expressed her happiness and satisfaction whenever customers lined up at her stall, eager to have a taste of her cooking, especially the fritters.
Another store vendor who is glad to have set up a stall is Sharifah Rafidah, 44, who had been endlessly tending to her customers since 8am and only had the chance to rest while her son left to restock the ingredients.
“I am really happy to have this opportunity to set up a shop in Sukma. Happier with everything sold out,” said Sharifah with a smile on her face.
There are ten other Sukma Carnivals 2024 open throughout the entire region, with over 1,000 entrepreneurs involved from all across Sarawak. — DayakDaily
