Every year, people in the Klang Valley look forward to the return of the Hari Raya Aidilfitri bazaar at Lorong Tuanku Abdul Rahman in Kuala Lumpur to prepare for the festivities.
However, the bazaar was subject to strict standard operating procedures due to the Covid-19 pandemic
Among the restrictions included a limit on the number of visitors and metal fences around the bazaar to regulate foot traffic.
Is a strict SOP being implemented again this year?
VERDICT:
FALSE
Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) said in a statement to StarMetro that 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” it said.
“All traders are required to comply with DBKL rules such as operation hours, lot size and prohibition on the hiring of foreign workers,” added DBKL.
This year, the bazaar, which is popular for its traditional attire and cookies, runs daily from March 29 to April 21, from 10am to midnight.
From the second week of operations, 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).
Prior to this, the bazaar 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.
Source:
Lorong TAR Raya bazaar operations set to return in full force
