MANTAI RAYO IN NEGERI SEMBILAN KEEPS AIDILFITRI FESTIVE SPIRIT ALIVE

SEREMBAN, March 28 (Bernama) -- The festive excitement of Aidilfitri continues to be felt as Negeri Sembilan’s mantai tradition returns, rekindling the celebratory atmosphere and further igniting the Raya spirit among locals.

Mantai is a local tradition in Negeri Sembilan, where people buy fresh meat at lower prices in preparation for Aidilfitri. The term ‘mantai’ comes from the Negeri Sembilan dialect, which means slaughtering livestock (usually cows) and distributing or selling the meat before a festive occasion.

Crowds were seen forming long queues as early as 7 am at Masjid Dato Klana Petra Mohd Yusof, the venue for Mantai Rayo 2025 in the Sikamat state constituency, eager to purchase fresh meat at discounted prices lower than the market rate.

Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun said that, like last year, this year’s event was also lively, drawing around 3,000 visitors despite the absence of state government subsidies for fresh meat.

“This is the mantai rayo atmosphere in Nismilan (Negeri Sembilan). Many people come to buy beef at RM35 per kilogramme, alongside the Rahmah Sale initiative, which offers essential goods at affordable prices in preparation for Aidilfitri.

“For the Sikamat constituency, nine cows were allocated for the Mantai Rayo programme. However, due to overwhelming demand this morning, we were concerned that supplies would run out early, so we are working on securing additional meat,” he told reporters after visiting the Mantai Rayo 2025 event in Sikamat today.

Aminuddin, also the state assemblyman for Sikamat, said 36 constituencies, including Sikamat, are organising mantai programmes this year, allowing residents to purchase festive essentials within their areas without travelling far.

The Mantai Rayo 2025, which ran for three days until today, was held together with the Rahmah Sale programme, Agro MADANI Sale, and Nismilan Prihatin Sale.

At the same time, Aminuddin said this year, 100 underprivileged recipients in each constituency would receive one kilogramme of beef for free, along with necessities.

Meanwhile, one of the visitors, Noraini Mansor, 57, said she bought meat only from mantai sales every year, as the prices are reasonable, helping her save on essential groceries.

Despite the long queues, Noraini expressed her satisfaction and gratitude that her local representative ensured easy access to festive essentials in the constituency.

Another visitor, Mohd Tarmizi Jantan, 55, suggested that such affordable sales be held regularly, as they provide significant savings for residents, especially with food essentials being sold below market prices.

-- BERNAMA