MIRI: Thousands of foreigners from Brunei are jamming the streets of Miri daily, as they compete with locals to buy vegetables, fish, chicken meat and festive goodies in this run-up to Chinese New Year.

These Bruneians, with their strong currency (B$1 to RM3) are snapping up fresh food and clothes and other items due to the many shopping promotions going on now.

The CNY Bazaar in downtown Miri City centre is seeing human and traffic congestions day and night every day.

The Star did random checks and spotted many Brunei vehicles with number plates that start with B and K.

The Bruneian factor is causing fresh fish, chicken meat, fruits and vegetables to run out quickly.

The prices of many festive cookies have also soared, a quick check showed.

Cookies that in past years normally sold at RM25 per container are going for at least RM30.

Other items are also becoming more expensive, compared with before.

Every day, an average of 30,000 Brunei vehicles cross the border checkpoint into Miri.