EACH year when the annual Nine Emperor Gods Festival is approaching, the nine-day vegetarian festival would be ushered in with a spectacular and grand manner.
However, the festival, also known as ‘Kew Ong Yeah’, is expected to be celebrated on a lower key for the first time ever this year as the world continues to grapple with Covid-19 challenges and the country still in the recovery movement control order (RMCO) mode.
All businesses would have to adhere to the standard operating procedures (SOPs) imposed by the local authorities. For small traders and hawkers given the temporary business permit by the Penang Island City Council, only takeaways are allowed. The stalls also should be two metres apart from each other.
Many businesses have already been badly affected ever since the movement control order (MCO) was implemented in March this year.
Buletin Mutiara spoke to a few vegetarian operators on their preparations and prices to be imposed for the upcoming festival.
According to Luk Yea Yan Vegetarian Restaurant owner Chong Keng Hoon, his shop would strictly follow the regulations imposed by the local authorities.
“I fully understand the people’s predicament especially during the current pandemic. Our price will remain unchanged.
“It is an annual festival and the aim is to promote vegetarianism,” he said when met at his shop recently.
Concurring with him was Lily’s Vegetarian Kitchen worker Khoo Lay Hoon, who told Buletin Mutiara that they would not raise the prices during the nine-day festival.
“We want to serve the people and ensure that the patrons to our shop can get to enjoy their vegetarian meals.
“We will also be stationing a voluntary patrol team outside the shop to ensure a smooth flow during the festival and the standard operating procedures (SOPs) are adhered to,” she added.
Meanwhile, Yun Shan Ge Vegetarian House owner, who wishes to be known as Michelle, said her shop in Penang Street would be serving vegetarian dishes as usual during the festival.
She said her shop offers reasonable prices and has been drawing many patrons over the years.
“We understand the people’s plight especially during this time,” she said.
Story by Edmund Lee
Pix by Alvie Cheng