Ramadan bazaar horror: Netizens rue 'ant laksa', 'charred murtabak'

 

One thing that all Malaysians look forward to during the fasting month is buying a variety of delicacies at Ramadan bazaars.

But just a week into the month, “horror” stories about shopping at these bazaars are already haunting social media.

Besides complaining about expensive items, consumers are also sharing stories of ant-ridden laksa (above), as well as burnt and spoilt food, among others.

One netizen lamented spending RM17 for half a portion of rice with lemon chicken and vegetables at a bazaar in Shah Alam - an experience that put the person off the idea of purchasing food at bazaars ever again.

Another netizen, Sufiyatunnur, 26, lost her appetite after she found dead ants in her laksa, which she bought for RM6 at a bazaar in Hulu Langat, Selangor.

"Every Ramadan, we will hear stories like this. I'm a trader at a bazaar too, but we must ensure that the quality of hygiene of our food is always taken care of.

"This is especially when things are much costlier now. Pity the customers who spend money to find they have paid for spoilt, unhygienic food," Sufiyatunnur told Malaysiakini.

A technician, who only wanted to be known as Ferdaus, shared a similar experience at a bazaar in Penang.

"I was almost done with the food after watching a movie when I realised the 'fried' fly (in the food)," the 23-year-old wrote on Twitter.

Charred murtabak

Netizen Umar, 26, shared his nightmare of buying a "charred" murtabak at a bazaar in Cyberjaya.

"Why are traders like this... I always see such cases on Twitter, but this is the first time I have experienced it myself," Umar said, urging consumers to be wary of not falling victim to such a fate.

Reen Aminuddin, meanwhile, spent RM18 on a spoilt mutton biriyani, at a bazaar in Malacca.

According to her, the packaging of the rice smelled sour, the rice was slimy and the gravy was frothy.

Not only that, but she was also unfortunate enough to spend another RM12 on Vietnamese spring rolls, which also turned out to be sour smelling and slimy.

Reen said she suspects the spoilt food was leftovers from the day before and recycled the following day.

She said that leftovers are better given to the needy, rather than sold to unsuspecting victims.

"Just think of the plight of the people who have to fork out money to buy food to break their fast, but can't enjoy it."