Ramadan bazaar traders rue gloomy prospects

CORONAVIRUS | Traders who have been operating at Ramadan bazaars for more than a decade are now grappling with the prospect that they will have to make do without an important source of income this year.

This is following the decision by several state governments to ban Ramadan bazaar this year to curb the spread of Covid-19. They include Selangor, Malacca, Sabah and Kedah.

One such operator is Mastar Muni, who said he stands to lose RM6,000.

"It will be difficult to make ends meet if we can't do business this year," he said.

He expressed envy at how restaurants can still operate during the movement control order (MCO).

"Why can't small businesses like us operate?... I can wear masks and gloves too. At least there will be some income," said Mastar, who has been selling dishes and drinks at the Balakong Ramadan bazaar for 15 years.

Under the MCO, non-essential businesses and services have been ordered closed. However, restaurants are allowed to operate for takeaways and online food delivery.

The MCO is scheduled to end on April 14 if there is no extension while the month-long Ramadan bazaar season is expected to start on April 23.

However, such bazaars have traditionally been crowd-pullers and are viewed by authorities as risky.

The National Security Council (NSC) will only make a ruling on the bazaars later, which will likely influence the decisions of all other states.

Meanwhile, Nazlita Hasanuddin teared up at the prospect of not being to operate her Ramadan bazaar stall for the first time in 28 years in Ipoh.

"My husband is disabled. We've always earned income through (bazaar) business. The government's decision not to allow Ramadan bazaars will make it difficult for us to earn an income," she said.

The mother of three, who sells kuih (traditional cakes), hopes that the government can find ways to make Ramadan bazaars work.

"Let the stalls operate with sufficient distance and have officials monitor the number of people coming in to purchase food," she said.

Nazlita said she is grateful for the relief being provided by the government to deal with the economic downturn brought about by the pandemic.

However, she said her family will be in a better position if she could run her bazaar stall for a month which will generate an income of between RM2,000 to RM3,000.

Health Ministry director-general Noor Hisham Abdullah has not ruled out Ramadan bazaars but said they will only be possible if they can comply with the standard operating procedures set by the Health Ministry.

Another Ramadan bazaar stall operator, Husain Baba, is resigned to his fate.

Hussain, who has operated a steamed nasi lemak stall at a Ramadan bazaar in Malacca for 28 years, said he accepted that the bazaars have to close to combat Covid-19.

"We take it as a test from God. We will wait for the next Ramadan bazaar," he said. - Mkini