For a good cause: Mohamat Supair and a bazaar worker showing off the popular nasi kandar side dishes he sells at the Ramadan bazaar at Lebuh Queen in George Town, Penang. — ZHAFARAN NASIB/The Star
GEORGE TOWN: Traders at the Ramadan bazaar in Lebuh Queen have been donating surplus food items to the needy.
Nasi kandar operator Mohamat Supair Deen Abdul Aziz, 50, said that 50 such hot food packets were being distributed daily.
“We try to cook for the amount needed as we don’t want to waste food. Unsold food, which we will keep fresh, is distributed to mosques and charity homes,” he said.
Mohamat Supair, who has been in the business for over 10 years, said he could sell up to 500 packs of nasi kandar daily at the bazaar.
He said popular dishes include the lamb leg set with briyani and curry chicken or the chicken mutton tomato rice set.
Another trader, Norlelawati Yahaya, 40, who sells traditional Malay kuih, said her unsold food was not wasted.
“I usually give it away to the other traders or my neighbours,” she added.
Norlelawati said she prepared just enough kuih for the bazaar.
She said sometimes she gave away excess food for free immediately after breaking her fast.
Coconut and sugarcane seller Muzammil Mohd Koya, 38, said he did not face any wastage issues as he could keep his produce for several days.
“Coconut and sugarcane juice are among the most sought-after items at Ramadan bazaars, so they sell fast,” he said.
He said, based on previous experience, he could sell about 300 coconuts and 200 bottles of sugarcane drinks per day.
There are about 25 traders at the bazaar, which is organised by the Liga Muslim.
Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, who launched the bazaar on Tuesday, said it was among the programmes to promote tourism in the state.
“This is a good platform to spur the local economy and give traders an opportunity to earn extra income,” he said.
He advised traders to conduct their business with honesty and to always prioritise hygiene.
“To the visitors, don’t be too extravagant when buying items for breaking your fast,” he added.
Liga Muslim deputy president Datuk Shahul Hamid Syed Mohamed said the association has advised traders not to waste food.
“For several years now, we have been encouraging traders who have surplus food to donate it to mosques and the poor,” he said.
