The Galas by-election has sent house rental and food prices spiralling out of control as local residents try to make a fast

buck.

A check by Bernama found that restaurants and foodstalls had appeared overnight as many consider Galas by-election a windfall just like Manek Urai last year.

Resident Ismail Dollah,43, said house rental had risen from RM200 monthly to an astonishing RM10,000 since last week.

"A bungalow is going for RM15,000 for the by-election period. House rental keeps rising by the hour and will be given to the highest bidder," he said in Gua Musang today.

The Election Commission (EC) today announced that nomination for Galas by-election will be held on Oct 26 with polling on Nov 4.

The Galas state seat fell vacant following the death of PAS' Chek Hashim Sulaima, 46, from colon cancer on Sept 27.

Bernama also found that the price of a hotel room had also risen from  RM150 to RM200 daily.

Trader Norizan Ibrahim, 45, said the Galas by-election provides local residents the opportunity to make good business as the area would be swarmed by outsiders.

"There is an urgent need for more restaurants and foodstalls as the existing ones cannot cope with the expected crowd," she added.

Gua Musang is a transit town to traders as it is strategically located at the exit route to Kuala Lumpur, Ipoh, Cameron Highlands and Kota Bharu.

- Bernama