No high hopes to see regular customers this year, say traders

KUALA LUMPUR: Although Ramadan bazaars will make a welcome return this fasting month after a no-show last year due to Covid-19, the experience this time will see standard operating procedures under the new normal being the order of the day.

Traders are looking forward to return, but some of them do not expect to meet their regular customers at the coveted stall lots due to limited space availability.

Lokman Hakeem, 39, who has been selling drinks and nasi campur at Ramadan bazaars in the Klang Valley since he was a teenager, said this year, he decided to run a temporary stall instead.

“I wanted to take part in Ramadan bazaars this time, but after discussing with my family and considering that the bazaars will have limited lots and space, I have decidedto open a burger stall by the roadside near my house.

“I hope it will be well received so that I can support my family. I have already informed my family and friends about this,” said Lokman, who also thanked the government for the financial assistance that he received due to the pandemic.

He said when the pandemic hit in March last year, he had been relying on his savings to get by.

Another trader, Fauzi Johar, 36, said he did not want to wait around to find out if he would be lucky to get a Ramadan bazaar lot this year.

“Seeing that the bazaars will be smaller due to the current circumstances, my wife and I will instead apply for a temporary licence for a roadside stall. We hope to attract the working crowd who do not have the time to go to a Ramadan bazaar, or prefer less crowded areas.

“We usually sell nasi lemak with add-ons such as fried chicken, beef rendang, sambal sotong or prawns at Ramadan bazaars in Kepong or Sungai Buloh for the past six to seven years.

“This time, we will use social media to promote our food items. We will also offer delivery service within a five to 10km radius to attract more customers.”

In Johor Baru, drink seller Amy Azah, 44, said she was hoping to get a lot at the Ramadan bazaar in her housing area.

“I took over the family business from my father a couple of years ago and my younger siblings have been helping me run our drink stalls.

“We hope that once the ballot is drawn, we will get a lot to operate our stall. We have operated for more than two decades and we have regular customers. So returning to the bazaar is a social responsibility for us because many have been asking if we would return this time.”

She said her sirap bandung and limau asam boi were popular during the fasting month.

“If we are unable to get a lot this year, we might just open a stall nearby after obtaining the permit,” she said.