RAMADAN bazaar traders are complaining that the premature closure of their businesses is going to cost them because the final few days of the fasting month is usually when they make a last push to increase their sales.

This will not be the case this year after the government ordered has all Ramadan bazaars to be closed, in certain places up to six days before Aidilfitri, due to the movement control order (MCO) to curb the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic.

They also told The Malaysian Insight this year’s business has been badly affected by the wet weather.

“We had 25 days of business but there were thunderstorms and heavy rain for most days, so we only had four days with good weather,” said Awan, who sells a variety of dishes at a bazaar in Subang Jaya as well as one in Puchong.

Awan’s sentiment was shared by Nizar Mohd Nasir, a trader who sells salmon assam laksa and satay at the Prima Saujana bazaar in Kajang.

“The last five days (of Ramadan) are the days where we push to make extra income but throughout the fasting period it was raining heavily and sales were not good,” said Nizar.

“The majority of Ramadan bazaar traders made less than usual,” both said.

Awan said that he had prepared 1,000 pieces of ketupat and rendang to be sold at Ramadan bazaars only to receive the closure order from Selangor government.

“I have been selling food at Ramadan bazaar for 21 years. For the last five days, traders will sell ketupat, rendang, nasi impit and kuih raya. I have prepared 1,000 ketupat and rendang.

“I cannot sell it because bazaars are closed. In the last two days before we closed, I got to sell only 200 pieces of ketupat,” he said.

On Wednesday, Selangor Menteri Besar Amirudin Shari said all bazaars in MCO districts would have to close from Saturday.

Amirudin said the decision was made by the state security council after an increase of new Covid-19 cases linked to Ramadan bazaars.

However, Awan and Nizar told The Malaysian Insight that strict standard operating procedures (SOP) were followed throughout the period.

“I have my doubts that we contributed to the increase of new cases. The SOPs were strict and everyone followed them.

“Sellers and consumers followed the rules. Kids were not allowed into the bazaars,” said Awan who represents the Ramadan bazaar community in Subang Jaya.

“In Kajang, municipal council officers are everywhere to make sure that we follow the SOP. We did not let our guard down,” Nizar added.

Both Awan and Nizar said that the majority of Ramadan bazaar traders suffered thousands of ringgit in losses.

“In my 20 years’ experience, this is the only time where many of us lost thousands of ringgit. We bought extra stock for Hari Raya but could not sell them because of the MCO,” said Awan.

However, Nizar said his group of traders in Kajang decided to donate the extra food to orphanage and old folks home.

Turning to online platforms

Roti John seller from Kg Perepat in Klang, Hafizul Rahman, said since the closure of the Ramadan bazaar last Saturday, he has been relying on Whatsapp and social media to get his goods across.

“I take orders through Whatsapp and customers can pick up their orders from my home, but this is only open for residents in my village.

“I do not take orders from outsiders because of the MCO. I may get into trouble,” said 28-year-old Hafizul, adding that he could not make extra money for Hari Raya this year.

“Business was OK but it was not like previous years. It was raining the whole month making it slow for us.

“My friend who sells drinks suffered losses close to RM3,000 because of slow sales,” he said.

Kak Ani who sells nasi kerabu in Setia Alam, Shah Alam, said she relied on orders from regular customers to make ends meet.

She said she would use Whatsapp groups and Facebook to update her regular customers.

“My income for this year’s Ramadan is half of what I usually make. The gap is huge. I am not saying that I am ungrateful. I accept the situation.

“Thankfully, my regular customers still want me to cook for their breaking fast menu,” she added.

Dania, 25, who owns Niase Sdn Bhd, a local brand that sells authentic Thai food, said she belongs to a younger generation that has an upper hand to market their products online.

She said she sold food at a Ramadan bazaar in Ipoh for the first time, adding that the older generation suffered the most during the pandemic.

“In my case, my Ramadan menu was different from the others. I am the only one selling authentic Thai food at the bazaar.

“It was raining heavily too in Ipoh but maybe because of the rarity of our food, we manage to sell everything on a daily basis, even when it is raining.

“One factor is I used social media and an online marketing strategy. I spend thousands of ringgit promoting my brand online so the public can get to know my product.

“Many young entrepreneurs like me are using this platform during the pandemic to make more sales. However, the older generation who are not savvy in modern technology could not survive,” Dania said.

Aside from Selangor several districts in Perak, Johor, Penang and Pahang have ordered the closure for Ramadan bazaar following a spike in new Covid-19 cases.

Defence Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob recently said that health officers have detected new cases linked to Ramadan bazaars.

The government yesterday told all Ramadan bazaar stall owners to cease trading with immediate effect. – May 11, 2021.