Traders, customers brave storms on first day of Ramadan

 

Bazaar customers braving the rain, though many came prepared with umbrellas, on the first day of Ramadan today.

PETALING JAYA: Ramadan bazaars in the Klang Valley got off to a wet start after storms dashed the hopes of traders and customers alike this evening.

FMT visited two bazaars in Selangor and Kuala Lumpur this evening and saw customers braving the rain though many came prepared with umbrellas.

Among them was Bukit Gasing assemblyman Rajiv Rishyakaran, who said it was “unfortunate” that the bad weather had occurred on the first day of Ramadan, especially after Ramadan bazaars were cancelled last year.

“Naturally, many would not open their stalls during the rain because there will be fewer customers. Still, I came to show my support and to check out the stalls this year,” he told FMT when met at the Ramadan bazaar in Seksyen 17, Petaling Jaya, Selangor.

Rajiv hoped that the weather would improve in the coming days, so business could pick up.

Bukit Gasing assemblyman Rajiv Rishyakaran, who is seen here drenched, visiting the Ramadan bazaar in Seksyen 17, Petaling Jaya to support the traders.

“A lot of time goes into cooking and preparing everything in the morning or afternoon. So, come evening, if they are not able to sell their food … It’s definitely very challenging for them and I hope they stay strong.”

Nazri Ahmad, a Rela officer who was on duty, noted that fewer people had come to sell their products in the rain, although 30 traders had originally registered to conduct their business in the bazaar.

However, he said, all was in order as customers and traders had adhered to the standard operating procedures (SOPs) by wearing a face mask, scanning their temperature and checking in on their MySejahtera mobile application.

While things have gotten off to a slow start, Nazri said partitions were expected to be set up at the entrance of the bazaar tomorrow, in anticipation of more customers.

Siti Sherfeeka, a trader who sells murtabak, expressed her concerns over the rain and said she was unsure if she would be able to sell all her food as the poor economy had forced people to be more careful with their money.

“However, I’m expecting more people to come on the second and third day onwards,” she said.

She added that complying with SOP should not be a problem, as all the stalls were well-distanced from each other.

Nur Azila, who sells “roti john” with her family, said they were worried for their business as it had been raining more often lately.

Rela officers were on hand to ensure compliance with the standard operating procedures, including physical distancing in queues at the Ramadan bazaar in Seksyen 17, Petaling Jaya.

She said the pandemic had forced her family to take a break from their Ramadan side-business and focus solely on their day jobs.

While she was worried about SOP compliance, Azila said the Ramadan bazaar here was also learning from the traders who operate in “pasar malam” and farmers’ markets in the area.

Meanwhile, FMT found that the crowd at the Ramadan bazaar in Taman Tun Dr Ismail (TTDI), Kuala Lumpur was significantly smaller compared to pre-pandemic times.

Afifuddin Kusnowadi, who is also part of the organising committee of the TTDI bazaar, said strict SOPs were in place with stalls required to be at least a metre apart.

He also said the committee was monitoring the situation to ensure that all customers adhered to the SOP by coming in and out of specific entrances and exits.

“When they line up at the stalls, we will make sure that they practice physical distancing and stand 1m apart. Traders who feel unwell are not allowed to do business,” he told FMT, adding that those below the age of 15 were not encouraged to enter the TTDI bazaar.

One of the traders here, Noor Hisyam Nasir, lamented that the morale was not as cheerful as previous years.

He said this was due to the smaller number of customers, who were likely afraid of contracting the virus and remaining cautious by staying at home.

“Bazaar visitors have decreased by 30% on the first day. It is normally very lively and crowded.

“Also, maybe people are lazy to come since they have to wait in the long line, on top of having to stand 1m away from each other,” Noor Hisyam said. - FMT