Traders make a killing with bamboo poles for the polls

By Nur Afiradina Arshad

PADANG BESAR, Nov 15 (Bernama) – The demand for bamboo is always high with the coming of a festivity. But it is different this time.

There is no festivity but bamboo traders are still making a killing thanks to the 15th general election (GE15).

Traders are stocking up as demand has suddenly shot up.

Demand for bamboo is high because each time there is a general election, bamboo is normally used as a flag pole to fly flags of political parties like Barisan Nasional (BN), Perikatan Nasional (PN), Pakatan Harapan (PH) and others. 

Ghazali Hassan, 60 is a well-known bamboo supplier in Padang Besar for the past five years. 

For this 15th general election (GE15), he is getting orders for bamboo in the Padang Besar area.

“In conjunction with GE15, I get lots of orders from people in the Padang Besar area and I also get orders from several other locations here in Perlis. I get many orders from all political parties.

"Throughout the GE15, I have managed to sell hundreds of bamboo sticks and even my stock for my personal use is all sold out forcing me to seek assistance from my friends who have bamboo trees just to meet my order,” he told Bernama here today.

Ghazali is a paddy planter who is also known as Encik Man. 

"The sale of bamboo is normally considered as a side income because it is seasonal such as during Hari Raya or a feast or other occasions.  When it comes to the election year, the sale of bamboo is a welcomed side income for the villagers. 

"From day one of the campaign period, about RM5,000 in sales was collected and divided among the villagers who helped me in my work. They get additional income based on the stock that they supply,” he said.

Ghazali said the ‘Madu’ and ‘Rusa’ bamboo types are normally used during the general election because they don't normally bend which is suitable to fly flags and banners.

The length would depend on the size of the flag, he said, adding that buyers would normally order bamboo sticks that are 4.6 meters (m) long or the 3.4 m. 

“Bamboo is normally used during the general election because they can easily be disposed of and they will naturally disintegrate compared to PVC pipes which are not environmentally friendly,” he said.

He also said the use of bamboo is based on its thickness and durability which will determine its pricing. One bamboo stick is sold between RM2 and RM5, he added. 

-- BERNAMA