The Ramadan bazaar at Taman Melawati is a crowd puller in the Ampang Jaya municipality. — Filepic
RAMADAN bazaar traders in Ampang Jaya, Selangor are hoping to see a livelier affair this year, although only some 950 lots have been allocated around the municipality.
Prospective trader Mohd Ashraf, 38, said he was hoping to get a spot at the popular Taman Melawati bazaar to sell his kuih and desserts.
Norhayati: As of Dec 13, MPAJ has received only 378 applications to trade at the Ramadan bazaars.
“There are not as many lots or locations this year as compared to previous years, so that is quite worrying.
“Some of my regular customers have also been asking where I will be trading this year.
“I have sent in my application and am hoping for the best,” he said.
He added that with only a short time before the fasting month, he and other traders would need to start preparing and stocking up soon.
The fasting month for Muslims is expected to start on March 22.
This year, Ampang Jaya Municipal Council (MPAJ) is hosting bazaars at only 16 locations (see chart), compared to 23 locations and 1,128 lots in 2022.
Similarly, 23 locations were set up in 2021 but with 977 lots allocated to accommodate Covid-19 standard operating procedures.
The 2020 bazaars were cancelled due to the movement control order.
In comparison, 1,418 lots were allocated for MPAJ’s open-air Ramadan bazaars in 2019.
The council’s Public Relations and Secretariat Division head Norhayati Ahmad said MPAJ had started calling for traders to register to operate at the bazaars since December last year.
“As of Dec 13, we have received only 378 applications to trade at the Ramadan bazaars.
“But applications are still open and we will see the response and if there is a need to increase lots,” she said.
She added that the online balloting for traders to choose their locations and lots is scheduled from Jan 16 until 31.
