KUCHING, May 2 — Operators of this city’s iconic perahu tambang, which are covered sampans that ferry people across the Sarawak River, are struggling to have a proper meal due to the rising cost of living. 

Boatman Awang Anting, 70, has been criss-crossing the river for over 48 years and now charges 50 sen per customer which is barely enough for him to put food on the table for his family.

He told Malay Mail that in the past he could afford to take a two-hour break to go and eat in coffee shops along the Main Bazaar facing the Kuching Waterfront but this has become a luxury for him.

“The last five years have been a bit cruel to me as I am forced to eat in my boat for lunch. I usually have a small can of sardine or an egg. And sometimes I get rice from one of the restaurants on the bank. Last time, I can still take my time drinking coffee in the shops but now I cannot afford to miss any passengers,” he said as he cooked a meal in his boat. 

“When I first started, I used to rake in about RM5 a day which was more than enough to cover my daily expenses but now I earn about RM20 a day and it is not even enough to feed me or my family.

“Over the years, prices of goods have kept on increasing. The only thing decreasing is the number of my passengers.” 

He said he also used to work from 6am to 6pm but now he works until about 9pm to make a little more money. 

The father of five claimed that he was not the only boat operator who was having difficulties making ends meet. 

“Previously you can see about 50 over perahu tambang operating along the waterfront but now there are about 20 of us. Many of my friends had quit to seek better jobs, but despite the low income, I still choose to remain as I don’t think I’m qualified enough to work in other places.”

For Merikan Rais, 69, his boat is virtually his home for about a week at a time as his village is about four hours from the Kuching Waterfront. 

“At night, I sleep with only a mattress, blanket and pillow in my boat. This is also where I have all my meals. After a week in the boat, I will go back to my village,” said the father of seven.

Merikan said on some days, his only meals are biscuits and coffee.

“If I get extra, I usually head to the restaurants at the waterfront to buy mixed-rice (rice with various dishes) to satisfy my hunger.”

Merikan, who built his own boat with the help of his friends, said he often worried about how the rising cost of living was affecting him and other Sarawakians.

“We are a wealthy state but where has all our wealth gone to?” he said. 

Ali Bujang, 55, said he waited for passengers along the Waterfront even during heavy rain, although they would be few of them. 

“Every sen counts to me. Despite the heavy rain, I would wait along the jetty to see whether there are any passengers,” said Ali, who has ferried people across the river for about 30 years.

“My friends had always asked me why do I still want to do this, but this is what I love to do. I have worked in other jobs all over town but I really like operating the sampan.”