Najib finds it hard to believe 14 cakes for only RM4

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak was taken aback by the very cheap prices of traditional cakes at Chini's Bandar Dara Ramadan Bazaar today.

"Are you sure? Are you not selling them too cheaply?" was his reaction when told six 'kuih lopes' and eight 'cucur udang' cost only RM4.

The cake seller, Razali Abdul Latip, 58, said the Prime Minister, who visited the bazaar, asked the questions twice to really ascertain if it was the actual price for the cakes.

"I told him 'kueh lopes' are sold at three for RM1 while four 'cucur udang' cost RM1.

"Initially, he only took three 'cucur udang', but after being told of the price, he then took out RM2. Even then he said it was too cheap," he told Bernama at the bazaar.

Razali said he only took a commission to sell the cakes and the prices were based on an agreement with the maker of the cakes, and both sides declined to impose higher prices.

"The cheap price is our strategy to attract more customers while maintaining their good taste, "said Razali who has been trading at the site for 30 years.

In addition, Najib's visit to the bazaar also delighted sugarcane juice vendor Siti Zaleha Ahmad, 62, when her entire stock of the packed drinks was bought by the Pekan Member of Parliament at RM32.

Siti Zaleha, who was assisted by her granddaughter Suhaida Suparman, 22, said Najib was the first national leader to visit her stall since she started her business 20 years ago.

Najib also queried 'satay' and 'ayam percik' seller Zaidah Abdullah, 59, on her business, while waiting for the woman from Felda Chini 4, to pack the satay he had ordered.

"He asked me how many sticks of satay I can sell a day. I replied sales drop during the fasting month to 900 sticks compared to up to 2,000 sticks on other days," she said, adding Najib paid RM40 for the satay.

Najib's visit to the bazaar, despite for only 15 minutes, was enough to excite visitors as many tried to take a photograph with him using mobile phones.