POPULAR RESTAURANT FOR BREAKING OF FAST NOW DESERTED

KOTA BHARU, March 7 (Bernama) -- Ramadan, a time that usually brings prosperity, has become a challenge for floating restaurant operator Mohd Asri Husin. His restaurant at Cerana Villa Resort, once a popular spot for customers to break their fast and enjoy “colek”, now stands deserted.

Everything changed in an instant following the devastating flood last November, which destroyed the floating restaurant’s platform.

"The floor and roof of my restaurant were badly damaged, with repair costs estimated at nearly RM300,000, an overwhelming burden," he said.

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He said that in previous years, customers would book their spots early, drawn by the unique experience of breaking their fast on the water.

“But this year, I have had to turn them all down. It’s heartbreaking to see this place empty,” he told Bernama.

The situation, he said, impacted his resort’s overall operations.

"The ‘sahur’ (pre-dawn meal) and ‘tarawih’ packages that once attracted customers are no longer in demand, room bookings have declined, and, most distressingly, local workers who relied on the resort for their livelihood have had to be let go.

“Ramadan used to be the liveliest time here. We offered special dishes like grilled chicken, boiled beef tripe, beef lung, seafood, and Kelantan ‘colek’. But now, all of that has come to a halt,” he said.

Adding to the heartbreak, the resort, also known for its popular ‘Tourism Floating Market’ held every Saturday has been forced to temporarily suspend operations.

“I hope someone will come forward to help. This place was once a thriving tourist attraction, and it would be a shame to see it abandoned,” said Mohd Asri, who is visually impaired.

– BERNAMA