Merrier Aidilfitri preparation in Negeri Sembilan this year with "mantai"

Today, as early as 5 am, residents here flocked to the compound of Seremban Centrepoint to buy meat and other wet items required to prepare dishes for the Aidilfitri celebration, which is two days away.

However, this time around, the residents can place their orders for the cow or buffalo meat online through the Agrobazar Online application which they can collect their orders at seven selected markets in the state.

Trader Hazmi Syakir Hirzan Bazli said the state government's initiative in introducing the application received encouraging response and he began packing orders for customers as early as 2 am today.

"I was already at the market site at midnight and by 5 am there were already customers making their purchases. By 9 am, almost 200 kilogrammes (kg) of meat had been sold, including through online orders," he told reporters.

The 30-year-old trade from Lubok China, who is also a livestock breeder, is slaughtering 12 heads of his cattle for this "mantai" to meet the demand for beef from his customers.

"Through online orders, customers can also choose which cuts of beef they want," said Hazmi, who sells the meat at RM36to RM45 per kg depending on the types of cut.

Hazmi said he received online orders for 80 kg of beef today.

Rosdi Yusof, 45, from Taman Sri Pulai, said he preferred to go to the market to buy the beef, instead of ordering them online, because he wanted to feel the excitement of the mantai and the Aidilfitri atmosphere.

"For two years we have not been able to move around freely due to COVID-19. Now that we are able to celebrate Hari Raya, I want to feel the joy and merriment of preparing for the celebration, having not been able to do so for two years, '' he said, adding the beef he bought would be used to make rendang.

Norhaslinda Mohamed, 39, went to buy 2 kg of beef to give to her parents in Jelebu as she would not be able to be be with them for the coming Hari Raya celebration.

She said this year's preparation for Hari Raya was merrier because of the "mantai" programme, which is synonymous with the community in the state.

Meanwhile, Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun said the 420 heads of cattle, costing RM1.68 million, would be slaughtered for the mantai programme this year.

We have received online orders for 241 kg and the buyers can collect their orders at the designated markets, he added.

" Mantai is a tradition of the people in in the state to celebrate Ramadan and Aidilfitri, that is why many Negeri Sembilan people return to their village early for Hari Raya to take part in the mantai programme.

"Each district has its own uniqueness, for example in Rembau, buffalo meat is the main choice," he added.