Metal fences erected around the Raya bazaar in Lorong TAR were removed by DBKL after traders complained last year. — Filepic
THE annual Hari Raya Aidilfitri bazaar in Lorong Tuanku Abdul Rahman (TAR), Kuala Lumpur, will return in full force this year after being subjected to two years of strict standard operating procedure.
Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL), in a statement to StarMetro, said there would be no metal fences erected around the market or numbered tags given out to visitors as was the norm since 2021.
“There is no specific procedure this year although this is subject to future announcements from the National Security Council.
“All traders are required to comply with DBKL rules such as operation hours, lot size and prohibition on the hiring of foreign workers,” it said.
This year, the bazaar, which is popular for its traditional attire and cookies, will run from March 29 to April 21, from 10am to midnight, daily.
From the second week of operation, the closing time will be extended to 2am, in anticipation of more late-night shoppers as Hari Raya draws nearer.
A total of 216 stalls will be operating, with 152 of them selling clothes, personal accessories (18), home decor (31) and dry food (15).
This is the third year the festive bazaar will be in operation.
It was cancelled in 2020 because of the Covid-19 pandemic.
In 2021, the market was divided into four sections — starting from Campbell Complex in Jalan Dang Wangi to Malayan Mansion in Jalan Masjid India — to regulate foot traffic.
Visitors to each section were given a tag, which they must return before exiting.
They needed to queue again and obtain another tag to enter a different section.
In 2022, DBKL did away with the sections but continued to erect metal fences around the market, which were later removed after complaints from traders.
The Federal Territory Bumiputera Petty Traders Association plans to submit a proposal to DBKL soon to have more stalls in the area.
Its president Datuk Seri Rosli Sulaiman said the additional stalls could be placed along Jalan Masjid India that is adjacent to the bazaar.
“There is plenty of space there and it will allow traders to have a bigger stall, maybe 10ft by 15ft, compared to 8sq ft at the current bazaar.
“We will discuss the matter with several other associations before meeting with DBKL,” he said, adding that this was to help more traders earn an income.
The fasting month and Hari Raya are expected to start on March 22 and April 22, respectively.
