By WU VUIDE
KOTA KINABALU: Three college students have chosen to forgo returning home for Hari Raya to earn extra income by selling lemang by the roadside near Lok Kawi Camp here.
Evonny Chia from Kudat said she and her two friends, Paullina Cassandra from Telupid and Rellenicea from Kota Marudu, all from Jesselton University College, decided to work to meet their living expenses in the city.
“Going back to our hometowns would not make much difference. It is better for us to work and earn,” she said at their stall.
They found the job online, offered by an army personnel member who prepares the lemang.
More than a dozen lemang stalls line the road near Lok Kawi Camp, offering various types, including those from Kelantan and Pahang.
The lemang is priced between RM22 and RM28 a stick, depending on size, either one foot or one-and-a-half feet. Pandan flavour is the only option.
“We start selling from 9am until night, and the lemang is usually sold out by then. On average, we sell about 100 sticks. We are paid RM100 per day,” she said.
“The lemang can be eaten with side dishes such as curry chicken, rendang and peanut gravy.
“We are pleased with the response. The important thing is we can earn our own money,” she said.
She said the experience has shown them the difficulty of finding work and dealing with customers.
“It is not easy to earn. Staying at home without income is a burden,” she said.
Evonny (second left), Rellenicea and Paullina (second right) attending to a customer.
