An offer they can’t refuse

KUALA TERENGGANU: A fishmonger here decided to do his part to help the needy by selling siakap (sea bass) at a very low price of only 90sen each, from its normal price of between RM10 and RM11 each.

Sauffian Sauji, 36, said he allocated 1,000 of the fish to be sold at the said price, with a maximum purchase of six per person.

He said the offer was also made in conjunction with the opening of the fourth branch of his shop in Kampung Ibai near here yesterday.

“I have a supply of more than 4,000kg of siakap, with 1,000 of them sold for 90sen each.

“The remaining fish is then sold at different prices, but still cheap, like RM10 for three and then RM6 each,” he said at his shop here, BK reported.

According to Sauffian, he obtained his supply of siakap from a cage fish farmer in Penang.

He said there are also other types of fish sold at his shop such as mackerel, as well as crustaceans such as shrimp, which are also sold at cheap prices.

Given the overwhelming response, Sauffian said he hoped to be able to provide his customers with a better offer next time.

“I’m doing this to help the lower income group and people affected by floods, as the siakap can be quite expensive to buy, especially for families with many children,” he added.

Meanwhile, one of the customers at the shop, Halimaton Mohamad, 45, said she hoped that more traders will offer foodstuff at cheap prices to help their customers cope with the increasing cost of living.

“It’s good to sell it cheap like this. Those who cannot afford much like me can also eat siakap. Otherwise, we have to be content with just eating the selayang (drift) fish. Hope this fishmonger can sell (it) this cheap again,” said the woman, who bought a maximum of six pieces of siakap for 90sen each.

Another customer, Shahmi Hapizi, 24, from Kampung Sungai Kerak near Marang, said he was late and missed the offer of buying the fish at 90sen each.

“But I was able to buy three pieces of the fish for only RM10. I didn’t expect anyone to be here at 6am.

“I arrived at 9am…by then, the siakap sold at 90sen a piece was sold out.

“Hopefully, this shop can offer cheap prices like this again.

“Even once a month is good enough,” he added.