Interview traders at Hari Raya Bazaar Shah Alam.— KK SHAM/ The Star
PETALING JAYA: The final weekend before Hari Raya Aidilfitri is here and it’s time to rush out and catch the best deals for baju Melayu or baju kurung, or even a few jars of kuih to be taken back to hometowns for the celebrations. Traders, too, will be pushing their final promotions before Raya.
One trader, Junaidi Nurdin, 54, said he would offer more promotions this weekend for his round-collared baju Melayu or teluk belanga, with a special collar stitching called the “sembat tulang belut”.
“This particular baju Melayu style is from Johor and popular because the King was seen wearing this.
“I also offer baju Melayu without the special stitch for children,” he said at his booth at Kompleks PKNS in Shah Alam.
Junaidi, however, said sales this year was slower although the stalls are open until midnight.
“Sales have dropped by 20%,” he said.
Another booth selling traditional cookies, kuih and kerepek also faced slower sales.
“We maintained the same prices for our cookies at RM28 per jar or four for RM100. The banana chips are RM20 and other types of chips or crackers cost RM18-RM20,” trader Mahani Misman said.
“There are customers who come in to make their usual bulk order.
“Today, I managed to sell almost 100 jars to a customer who is going to Sabah,” the 62-year-old said.
Mahani said there would be a special “auction” of the cookies and kerepek on the day before Raya.
Learning from its experience last year, a boutique has decided to start special offers early.
“We had low sales last year. This year, we decided to offer a package of Raya outfits for the whole family at between RM400 and RM500,” said staffer Nurul Amira Rijalludin, 30.
She added that the offer comprises a set of baju Melayu and baju kurung for parents and two sets of outfits for children.
Federal Territories Malay Hawkers and Petty Traders Association president Datuk Mohamad Abdullah said Hari Raya bazaars were usually an important source of side income for many Malay traders, but this year, sales are showing signs of a decline.
“I believe people will come out and get their Raya shopping sorted out this weekend,” he said.
In JOHOR BARU, 49-year-old Mohd Shahril Abdul Rahman is hopeful he can sell off the 5,000 pairs of chapal (traditional Malay sandals) he brought from his workshop in Muar to sell at the Angsana Mall here.
“So far, my sales have been good with 95% of my customers being Singaporeans. More than half of my chapal have been sold.”
Baker Jumaylah Farkhan Kunumon has a happy problem.
She is worried she will not have enough cookies and kuih to sell on the last day of Ramadan.
“We have already sold 75% of our cookies,” she said.
Trader Kamarul Fadhil, 50, also said he was expecting this weekend to be extra busy.
“I have been selling dodol and serunding for 10 years,” he said, adding that he has sold almost two tonnes of dodol and 400kg of serunding so far.
Housewife Salmiah Razali, 54, said she always visits bazaars during the last week of Ramadan as prices would usually go down.
“Goods from kerepek to carpets will be sold at knockdown prices as traders want to sell off their stock as they too want to celebrate Hari Raya,” she said.
