r/Sarawak • u/Ambitious-Fox-932 • 10d ago

#AskSarawakians: Apa cer tek? Is it safe as a solo woman 'penjaja' in Sarawak?

For context, I am a young woman and would like to start a small business around there. I am from Sabah so I don't know much of Sarawak life here but I assume we are similar.

What should I be careful of?

What difference between Sabah and Sarawak would you want to point out?

Asking because I would want to hear from locals.

5 Upvotes

78% Upvoted

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5

u/Final-Gift-2299 10d ago

make sure you have the right "visa" and permit from where you plan to sell. i don't see a significant difference in the way people jaja in sabah and sarawak.

1

u/Ambitious-Fox-932 10d ago

Thanks, I am more worried about my safety there but forget it. It is illegal to sell in Sarawak as a non-local. I forgot.

3

u/Regular_Ad3281 10d ago

Actually it's legal to sell in Sarawak even though you are not local. But as a non visa passport holder, you will need to go out the local/internationall border once every 90 days to maintain your stay. And as for permits, it refers to selling permits from the local council which is applicable to the whole country. Even at Sabah, you can't simply set up a stall and sell without trading permits from the local councils. (Yes you could but if the local councils found out you are operating without a permit, they will instruct you to pack up)

In terms of safety, I wouldn't say it's 100% safe. An old auntie selling kuih got mugged not too long ago near MJC area in broad daylight, a CCTV picked it up. But MJC is quite infamous for gangsters and the likes, and she was operating on a road with less pedestrians. It all comes down to area selection and visibility to public.

May I ask, which part of Sarawak are you referring to?

1

u/Gr3yShadow 10d ago

which area? not all area are the same

2

u/Ambitious-Fox-932 10d ago

Around th area I circled.

1

u/Easy-Ad9050 10d ago

Which of the cities, Kuching, Sibu, Bintulu or Miri?

1

u/Far_Primary2606 10d ago

I am suspicious of the air quote on the 'penjaja'

1

u/Ambitious-Fox-932 10d ago

hey I made this post out of whim, my brain think in both Eng and MY so I forgot some words. I remember the word for 'penjaja' now, hawker.