Kuala Muda Whisper Market Keeps Tradition Alive

By Norhidayyu Zainal

SUNGAI PETANI, June 9 (Bernama) — In an era of increasingly fast-paced digital transactions, a decades-old trading tradition in Kuala Muda continues to thrive through a practice that runs counter to modern norms — whispering.

There are no electronic boards displaying prices, no loud calls to attract buyers, and no open bargaining sessions. Instead, several individuals can be seen approaching fishermen who have just landed their catch, whispering something into their ears before walking away to await the outcome.

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This is the distinctive identity of the Kuala Muda Whisper Market Complex, located about 25 kilometres from Sungai Petani city centre, which is renowned for its secret bidding system between fishermen and buyers, making it one of Kedah’s most unique community-based tourism products.

The complex’s supervisor, Mohd Izwan Abd Majid, who has served there for 14 years, said the market’s uniqueness lies in its trading system, which allows buyers, traders and visitors to deal directly with fishermen without the involvement of middlemen.

“Here, the system is open. Traders can buy directly from fishermen, and so can members of the public. That is why many people come here to obtain fresh seafood supplies and witness firsthand how this unique system operates,” he told Bernama during the Surreal Experience in the North Kedah & Perlis programme organised by Tourism Malaysia Northern Region recently.

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Mohd Izwan said the complex, owned by the Malaysian Fisheries Development Authority (LKIM) and managed by the Kuala Muda Area Fishermen’s Association, was established after the 2004 tsunami and operates daily except on the first day of Hari Raya Aidilfitri and Hari Raya Aidiladha.

According to him, the complex serves as an economic lifeline for 600 registered fishermen, 85 per cent of whom are youths aged 40 and below. It also supports 800 fish traders and 370 boats registered under the association.

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“The volume of seafood landed here exceeds 100 tonnes daily and is supplied to various locations, including Batu Pahat, Johor, making this market one of the key seafood distribution centres in the northern part of Peninsular Malaysia,” he said.

At the same time, he noted that the Kuala Muda Whisper Market has become increasingly recognised as a community-based tourism destination, offering visitors the opportunity to experience the daily lives of fishermen within the Jerai Geopark area.

“Although we are facing challenges due to declining fish catches, we hope the uniqueness of this market will continue to be preserved through facility upgrades and digital promotion efforts to attract more visitors,” he said.

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For local trader Zainudin Abdul Majid, 52, who has earned a living at the complex for the past 13 years, the secret bidding system creates fair competition among traders.

“Whoever offers the highest price gets the goods, and then we resell them according to market prices and conditions in our respective areas,” said Zainudin, who markets about 200 kilogrammes (kg) of seafood daily.

Rokiah Hamad, 58, who drives nearly an hour from Permatang Pauh, Penang, and visits the Kuala Muda Whisper Market at least once every two weeks, described the whisper-based trading system as one that gives buyers the freedom to determine a price they consider worthwhile.

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“If we feel the price matches the size and freshness of the fish, we buy it. If it is too expensive, we leave it. This system is very fair because buyers can decide for themselves what price they consider reasonable before making a voluntary purchase without any pressure,” she said.

Sharing the same view, Umi Kalsum Darus, 60, from Kampung Simpor Kecil here, said she prefers the Kuala Muda Whisper Market Complex over conventional public markets because of the significant savings it offers.

“Today, I bought crabs and almost two kg of fish for only RM25. At a regular market, one kg of crabs alone can cost nearly RM38. As a homemaker, this price difference is substantial and helps reduce my family’s daily expenses,” she said.

— BERNAMA