No Ramadan bazaars this year

SEE REPORT BY WANI MUTHIAH

wani@thestar.com.my

Selangor has joined three other states in cancelling the annual Ramadan bazaars in light of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The three other states are Negri Sembilan, Melaka and Terengganu.

Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari (pic) announced that Selangor – the state with the highest number of Covid-19 cases – has banned all Ramadan markets and bazaars for this year.

However, he said the ban may be lifted, depending on the Health Ministry’s stand on the matter.

“When the Health Ministry says it is fine (to hold them), we will have them but for now they are banned,’’ Amirudin told reporters after announcing the state’s second economic stimulus package yesterday.

Amirudin said he had discussed the ban with the state’s local councils.

He added that there would be other venues to purchase required items for the fasting month.

“I believe there will be online Ramadan bazaars that offer delivery services,” he said.

The decision follows four districts in Selangor – Hulu Langat, Petaling, Gombak and Klang – being placed under the red zone due to a high number of Covid-19 cases.

Seven villages in Hulu Langat have since Monday been placed under a two-week enhanced movement control order, with access to these areas being sealed off.

In an exclusive report in The Star yesterday, Selangor Ruler Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah had voiced his concerns over the fasting month when there will be prayers, breaking of fast gatherings and food bazaars, which will see a huge number of people gathering, in about three weeks’ time.

“It will be impossible to have social distancing in enclosed areas, whether in mosques or narrow streets at these markets, and we will be exposed to the virus. Our safety comes first,” he said in the interview.

Sultan Sharafuddin, who is head of Islam in the state, also said he has begun discussions with the relevant agencies such as the Selangor Islamic Religious Department (Jais) and Mufti Department over these matters.

Other states have not announced a decision on the status of Ramadan bazaars while Federal Territories Minister Tan Sri Annuar Musa said no decision has been made on whether Ramadan bazaars will be allowed this year but recommendations by the Health Ministry and National Security Council will be adhered to.

Meanwhile, Amirudin announced that RM1.35mil has been allocated under the second economic stimulus package for mass Covid-19 screening.

He said the state’s Covid-19 task force has identified localities and individuals in these places who are considered high-risk such as those above 60 and young children to undergo testing once the kits are made available.