For sahur, the young an old have their meal before the break of dawn. By evening, Ramadan bazaars, such as this one in Bandar Tasik Puteri Rawang, are packed – except for DBKL’s new and biggest one in Jalan Raja.
Less than a quarter of the 344 lots were taken on first day
KUALA LUMPUR: There seemed to be lukewarm response from traders towards the Jalan Raja Ramadan Bazaar here on the first day of Ramadan.
At 5.30pm yesterday, stalls were still being erected on about 60 trading lots. This is less than a quarter of the 344 lots under the marquee tent along the main road.
Hawkers and Petty Traders Association of Malaysia president Datuk Rosli Sulaiman denied that the Jalan Raja Ramadan Baazar site prepared by Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) was being boycotted by traders.
Rosli, who was contacted after reports surfaced that the RM2.2mil facility in front of Dataran Merdeka and the Sultan Abdul Samad building was devoid of activity at about 4pm on the first day of Ramadan, said it was normal for traders to take it easy on the first two weeks of fasting.
“The rush usually takes place about 10 days before Hari Raya. Even if we set up early, there will be no customers because people don’t start shopping so early.
“Even the Jalan TAR area is quiet at this time,” said Rosli.
However, he voiced his displeasure at what he felt was an unsuitable location for the Ramadan bazaar.
“In Jalan Masjid India or Jalan TAR, traders have an understanding with the shop owners for toilet use.
“But in Jalan Raja, the nearest toilets are either at Royal Selangor Club, which is open to members only, and the Sultan Abdul Samad building, which I don’t think will allow us access to their toilets,” said Rosli.
“I think DBKL may provide portable toilets but these would neither be comfortable nor suitable as prayer rooms.”
He also said that DBKL had not taken into consideration the heat that traders and customers would have to endure with only marquee tents as shelter.
Nor has it done a proper customer traffic assessment for the area, he claimed.
Though the area is a draw for visitors, Rosli estimated that only a small percentage from this group would be drawn to the bazaar.
“Most people come here to relax at the park. They are not here to shop,” he said.
Nevertheless, he said time would tell if there would be a good public response.
Traders have mixed reactions about the new location of the Ramadan bazaar which was relocated by DBKL from its previous site at Lorong Tuanku Abdul Rahman.
“Many regulars do not know about the new location. The crowds are significantly less compared to the time when we were at Lorong TAR,” said baju Melayu seller Azrul Eddy, 25.
Another clothes seller, Amirul Aima Yeub, claimed they were not told about the facilities available at the site.
“We had to struggle at the last minute to buy canopy frames to display the clothes,” said Amirul.
Biscuit seller Nur Ain Mat Nasir, 30, liked the location, saying that it was fitted with fans to cool down the area.
“The marquee tent also blocks out the sun. This place is so much better compared to Lorong TAR.
“I also see a lot of tourists around, which is something you do not find at the previous location,” she said.