Eleventh-hour rush: People buying various necessities as part of their preparations for Hari Raya Aidiladha at the Chow Kit market in Kuala Lumpur. – Bernama
KOTA BARU: Pasar Besar Siti Khadijah was bustling with people making last-minute preparations for Hari Raya Aidiladha.
A Bernama check found that people began arriving at the market as early as 7am to purchase fresh ingredients such as chicken, coconut milk, fish, vegetables and spices.
Noramalina Shukri, 34, from Kampung Tiong, said she prefers to shop at the market due to the wide variety of options available, making it easier for her to get everything under one roof.
“I came to the market to buy ingredients for lontong and rendang as well as several other dishes for tomorrow. So far, the prices are reasonable,” she said.
Another visitor, Ainy Md Yunos, 72, said the return of her children and grandchildren for Hari Raya Aidiladha this year prompted her to make more elaborate preparations.
“I spent over RM300 on fresh ingredients despite having to queue because of the crowd.”
Coconut milk seller Nurul Asya Syaqira Maulana, 20, said she had to increase production by nearly eightfold to meet the ballooned demand.
“On a normal day, I allocate around 100 coconuts for sale daily.
“But today, 800 coconuts have been processed to ensure sufficient supply for everyone.”
Bernama also found that the supply of essential items was adequate, with necessities sold at the set ceiling prices.
In SEREMBAN, the Negri Sembilan Veterinary Services Department issued 1,088 permits and veterinary health certificates to slaughter livestock outside of abattoirs and to perform sacrificial rites across the state in conjunction with the Hari Raya Aidiladha celebration.
State agriculture, food security and cost of living action committee chairman Datuk Seri Jalaluddin Alias said this involves 2,233 heads of cattle, 488 goats or sheep and 56 buffaloes.
“In addition to mosques and surau, the sacrificial slaughtering process is also carried out at several other locations such as public places, private areas and slaughterhouses, with cattle being the most used animal for the sacrificial rites, accounting for up to 80%,” he said yesterday.
Jalaluddin also advised all organisers of the korban at all levels to adhere to regulations set by the authorities to ensure food safety.
“By adhering to these regulations, we hope the korban can be conducted smoothly.”
