Ramadan bazaar may return to Lorong TAR

By Veena Babulal, T.N. Alagesh - March 31, 2021 @ 9:20am

KUALA LUMPUR: After a protracted wrangle, the city's largest Ramadan and Aidilfitri bazaar looks set for a return to its original site in Lorong Tuanku Abdul Rahman on April 17.

This was confirmed by sources from Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) yesterday, adding that 208 lots have been allocated for the iconic market.

The pasar malam (night market) on Saturdays will be relocated to the nearby Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman.

The authorities have yet to come up with the number of lots allocated for the night market, which has reportedly been whittled down to 150 stalls due to the pandemic.

It is also understood that a 1km stretch on Jalan TAR, from the intersections of Jalan Esfahan and Jalan Melayu, would be closed on Saturdays to make way for the night market.

Malaysian Federation of Hawkers and Petty Traders Association president Datuk Seri Rosli Sulaiman said the decision was a welcome one.

He also urged the authorities to expedite the issuance of traders' confirmation letters.

"The traders don't deserve to have the rug pulled from under their feet again. There must be some consideration for their plight and the uncertainty caused by the previous U-turns."

Rosli was referring to the bazaar's relocation from Jalan Raja to Lorong Tuanku Abdul Rahman, which was supposed to have been a done deal following an announcement by Federal Territories Minister Tan Sri Annuar Musa on March 18.

However, protests from brick-and-mortar establishments through the Masjid India Business Association (MIBA) last week derailed the move.

MIBA president Datuk Ameer Ali Mydin had told the New Straits Times last week that the combination of bazaars and pasar malam would be a Covid-19 cluster in the making.

He said a bazaar would also entail road closures and barricades, which established businesses could ill-afford now.

However, not all traders and businesses are in favour of the bazaar's relocation.

The Lorong Tuanku Abdul Rahman Hawkers and Traders Association, whose members make up the majority of the pasar malam traders in the area, are crying foul over having to move their weekly market to Jalan TAR to accommodate the Ramadan bazaar.

Its president, Azkhalim Suradi, said it wanted the Ramadan and Aidilfitri bazaar, which is set to take over its trading space on Lorong TAR, to "take a break" on Saturdays and let the night market operate instead.

"That way, business would be good for everyone and we will not be competing with shops on Jalan TAR," he said, adding that the association would send a letter of protest to DBKL.

Brick-and-mortar businesses along Jalan TAR were hardly pleased with the latest outcome.

A shop owner, who only wished to be known as Ibrahim, said the road closure to accommodate the night market would disrupt their business.

"We are okay with the Ramadan bazaar but not this.

"The roads need to be free so that our customers who usually come on weekends to buy in bulk can use the roads.

"Ramadan is our peak business period. We need business during the season to survive the whole year.

"Without this, many of us will be forced to close down."

Ibrahim instead suggested that the night market traders "go on a break" and allow the Ramadan bazaar to trade throughout the month.

He said having 200 stalls in the back and front of his shop would be a nightmare in terms of crowd management and traffic control.

Ibrahim also expressed concern over how the authorities would ensure that the standard operating procedures (SOP) were adhered to.

"We can't afford to close our shops if Covid-19 clusters crop up due to poor decisions on the part of the authorities," he said, adding that the Federal Territories minister should meet with associations in the area to view the conditions on the ground.

Meanwhile, in Kuantan, Ramadan bazaars in 11 districts across Pahang will be allowed to operate this year under strict SOP following approval from the National Security Council (NSC).

"Traders must strictly comply with the SOP. This includes limiting the number of visitors, conducting temperature screening checks, maintaining physical distancing and wearing face masks. Traders who fail to do so can have their business licence revoked," said State Housing and Local Government Committee chairman Datuk Abdul Rahim Muda in a text message yesterday.

Kuantan City Council public relations officer Norkamawati Kamal said 30 locations had been identified for bazaar sites in the state capital.

"The locations, including some existing ones, are areas with proper entry and exit points, and spacious enough for people to move around freely. Bidding for some of the lots have been completed," she said.