Traders unhappy with bazaar balloting system, believe favouritism at play

The month of Ramadan, apart from being a time for reflection by Muslims, is also an occasion to savour the best the country has to offer in terms of cuisine.

Ramadan bazaars have become an opportunity for traders to offer their best and unique dishes for a whole month leading up to Hari Raya Aidilfitri.

However, the Covid-19 pandemic, which put a damper on last year’s bazaars due to the Movement Control Order (MCO), appears to have thrown another spanner into the works this year.

The presence of Covid-19 means that the number of stalls per bazaar has been greatly reduced to ensure physical distancing. Traders, thus, have to draw lots to see who among them are fortunate enough to be allocated a trading spot.

The balloting system by some bazaar organisers, however, had left many traders bitter, with some claiming that it was less than transparent and prone to favouritism.

Azmie Che Lah, 37, who had been running drinks, roast chicken and kebab stalls in Ramadan bazaars in Bukit Bintang and Nilai for more than a decade, said he had grown fed up with the system.

He said preparations for stall operations would usually be done a month in advance. However, this year’s preparations had been less than smooth as he was still waiting to see if he had been selected by the bazaar organisers.

“Last year, I paid an advance fee of RM1,000 to participate in the Ramadan bazaar in Bukit Bintang. Due to the MCO, that didn’t happen. Instead of reimbursing the money, the organiser said it would be carried forward to this year.

“And now, we hear that there’ll only be 30 lots in the Bukit Bintang bazaar this year compared with the usual 90 lots. Lots will now be drawn.

“There are hundreds, perhaps even more than a thousand traders who are eyeing the opportunity to take up a lot or two at the bazaar, as it only happens once a year and there’s good money to be made.

“Until now, I’ve yet to hear a word from the organiser as to when the balloting will be, much less on the process and procedures,” he said.

Azmie said he wasn’t the only trader who was frustrated.

He said if all else failed, he would just open a stall by the roadside.

“That’s what I did last year when Ramadan bazaars were banned. I have a family to support and still need to put food on the table, one way or another.”

Another trader, Al-Malek Faisal, 44, who had been selling east coast delicacies in Ramadan bazaars in Damansara for 13 years, said he too is facing the same problems. However, he would not be participating in any organised bazaars this time.

“This year, we’ll be opening up a stall near our house. We’ll use social media to advertise and spread the word to old and new customers. That way, I won’t need to pay almost RM300 for a lot and RM5 a day to the organiser,” he said.

Al-Malek believed that the balloting system by some bazaar organisers was lopsided and unfair.

“I‘ve noticed that traders who are in the organiser’s good books will get strategic, wellplaced lots. For the last couple of years, my stall has been chucked all the way at the end by the side of a smelly drain despite having taken part for more than a decade.

“From what I’ve heard from other traders, the organisers have yet to announce anything despite the fasting month being less than a month away,” he said.

Al-Malek claimed he wasn’t the only one opting to go solo.

“Other traders share the same sentiments. They’re worried that other traders and shoppers may fail to follow the standard operating procedures which, in a high-traffic area, could place people at risk of infection.”

For the last couple of years, my stall has been chucked all the way at the end by the side of a smelly drain despite having taken part for more than a decade.

AL-MALEK FAISAL Ramadan bazaar trader