By Wilfred Pilo
KUCHING, Feb 14: Florist Weldon Huang feels brokenhearted after thieves absconded with his generator set and stock of flowers worth RM12,000 in the wee hours of Valentine’s Day.
Huang, who is among flower vendors who set up temporary stalls along Jalan Tun Jugah, said despite the loss today, he has taken steps to ensure that customers can still buy flowers from his stall and will not be stopped from having a memorable Valentine’s Day.
According to him, he discovered the theft of his generator and flowers after he arrived at his makeshift flower stall at about 8am today.
“Fortunately, I had a spare generator set and stock of flowers. I am sure those who came to steal my stuff came in the wee hours as I closed my stall between 3am to 4am this morning.
“I hope this devastation will not happen to roadside vendors on special occasions like today. We have a licence to do the business and pay our rental. I don’t mind sharing about my loss, and I hope in the future, the authority who gave us the permit could provide some form of security so that we don’t face this kind of issue,” he told DayakDaily.
Despite his loss, Huang, who has been in the flower business for three years, was still in high spirits and elaborated he is undeterred by the theft and will continue to serve his customers on Valentine’s Day.
“I am selling a very wide range of flowers and gifts, on average RM150 per bouquet. I hope Cupid will shower my business with more love and prosperity in this Chinese New Year of the Dragon.”
“Those who wish to contact me for their last-minute order this Valentine’s Day can call me at 014-999 0553,” said Huang, who also owns a florist shop.
For teenagers Valentine Law and siblings Richard and Alice Wong, Valentine’s Day is not on their minds as they said they are too young to have someone special.
The three friends who are students at SMK Wira Penrissen are taking advantage of the occasion to make some side income and pocket money for their school holiday.
Wong, the spokesperson for the three, and who is helping his mother for the first time, said they sell a range of flowers priced between RM50 to RM80.
“I hope to learn more about what people want on Valentine’s Day so that next year, if I sell again, I have insight on what lovebirds like,” he said.
Another vendor, who only wanted to be identified as Janet, said business this year has dropped compared to last year.
“I don’t know the reasons but I just want to make customers who come to my stall happy and make sure that these lovebirds have a great their Valentine’s Day,” she said. — DayakDaily
