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The festive stalls (gerai perayaan) in celebration of His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam’s 78th birthday is attracting large crowds. A number of the stalls only operate during His Majesty’s annual birthday celebration to earn an extra income. Festive stalls in the Brunei-Muara District have attracted the most visitors, particularly last Friday, according to Rajirah binti Abdullah, a seasonal vendor operating at the Taman Haji Sir Muda Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien. The 30-year-old housewife said the bigger crowd could be due to civil servants having received their mid-month pay, and they are taking the opportunity to bring their families for a fun night out in the city instead of crossing the borders for a weekend retreat. Rajirah has been actively conducting her business during the annual festivity to help her husband with the household expenses. On a daily basis, she runs a business of helping people order through various online merchants. “Business was quite slow in the first few days,” she admitted. Being a vendor that provides soap bubble for children, she has to compete with quite a number of vendors in the vicinity. “It is challenging, I stay positive by believing in my rezeki.” As vendors are free to choose their site of business, she decided to take a spot just across Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Mosque, as it is spacious enough for kids to play with their soap bubbles. “Previously, most of us were doing business at the roadside of the Taman, but since the municipality expanded the space for festivities, it is now safer for kids to roam around,” said Rajirah. Meanwhile, 17-year-old Mohamad Zed Zaidi bin Mohd Jaklen from Kampong Rimba, who joins the festive celebration every year, sells a variety of children’s character balloons of various designs and making at least BND15 per night. “I have been actively doing this as a part-time job for years as it does not interfere with my studies and I usually go home early. I have been given a car that needs fixing, so I am saving to pay for the repairs. Once I get my driving licence at the end of this year, the car will be good to go,” said Mohamad Zed Zaidi. Fierce competition is everywhere at these festive stalls but Mohamad Zed Zaidi feels no pressure as he is one of the part-timers working under one employer. “Every year, I see the same faces doing what I am doing, so we motivate each other. There are also others who sell the same things as we do and are not from a company. Nonetheless, we are all on good terms,” said Mohamad Zed Zaidi.Festive stalls usually start on the evening of His Majesty’s birthday, where the allocated sites in each district are colourfully lit, creating a festive atmosphere. The stalls offer opportunities for local micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to earn an income while a stage is also set up for entertainment and cultural performances. – Lyna Mohamad ![](https://media.everythingbrunei.com/public/uD1tGY0KCxsz5Ean7WyZa-kXdxYY4cjN6cPcQ6Eq43P.jpeg) ABOVE & BELOW: Photos show vendors at the festive stalls in the Brunei-Muara District. PHOTO: RAFI ROSLI ![](https://media.everythingbrunei.com/public/iDAtd7kIH0wkaKnibtlH--f2oVK16cGypNSwoA_rRuw.jpeg) PHOTO: RAFI ROSLI ![](https://media.everythingbrunei.com/public/hI9AeYX12P6DbE9TfHxpq-yv1VXlj295064xeDBPlUC.jpeg) ABOVE & BELOW: Photos show vendors at the festive stalls. PHOTO: RAFI ROSLI ![](https://media.everythingbrunei.com/public/tp55A5DMCxMxmnG0xOASs-vju9RjDoP3tWAfglqLcUx.jpeg) PHOTO: RAFI ROSLI ![](https://media.everythingbrunei.com/public/TxjuU55L5smyhY7AcQQl9-fsgek-SZITs9Nr3pmIgg3.jpeg) ABOVE & BELOW: Mohamad Zed Zaidi bin Mohd Jaklen with his balloons; Rajirah binti Abdullah runs a soap bubbles business; and the festive stalls during the day. PHOTO: RAFI ROSLI ![](https://media.everythingbrunei.com/public/ZdLvAikpnKNRAutm71mH6-pXnlq0fh-oOI5xUpBPr_o.jpeg) PHOTO: RAFI ROSLI ![](https://media.everythingbrunei.com/public/h-9jDsbCnCRDgoe1Kdtnj-JomlrTXkXQmq15DVI_1qt.jpeg) PHOTO: RAFI ROSLI

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