TERENGGANU traders have been slow in setting up stalls for Ramadan bazaars, despite the upcoming transition to the endemic phase on April 1, vendor groups said.

They said sellers prefer to hawk their wares at roadside stalls, instead of adhere to “troublesome” Covid-19 standard operating procedure (SOP) and pay higher rent at official bazaars.

They told The Malaysian Insight that some organisers are forced to reduce the number of stall sites offered at bazaars in the state.

Ramadan starts this weekend, and traditionally brings with it bazaars that typically attract a large number of traders who want to make money before Hari Raya Aidilfitri.

Kuala Nerus Day and Night Market Hawkers’ Association chairman Mohamad Besar said the association has had to reduce the number of stall sites offered due to a lack of takers.

It is offering only 50 plots near the drawbridge area this year, he added.

“We will not provide many plots because of the low response this year.

“We find it difficult to get even 30 traders, which is why we are offering only 50 plots.”

He said the lack of enthusiasm may be due to traders choosing to open stalls by the roadside than at the bazaar.

The drawbridge bazaar is new and may not be the first choice for traders, he added.

“I think traders here would rather do business by the roadside than at a Ramadan bazaar. Probably because they do not want to pay rent or adhere to SOP.”

The Kuala Terengganu branch of the Terengganu Malay Hawkers and Petty Traders’ Association is facing the problem of the privatisation of Ramadan bazaars.

The Kuala Terengganu City Council move to open bazaar tenders to private companies and individuals has caused an increase in rental fees.

“The opening price for a one-plot tender is RM2,000 at the Dataran Shahbandar Ramadan bazaar last year,” said branch chairman Zakaria Yusoff.

“The amount does not include an estimated canopy cost of RM3,500.

“So how much rent should we ask from the traders if the opening price is already high? Our association could not afford to get the tender last year.”

The high rent also resulted in many bazaars being vacant, he added.

This year, the association managed to win only one tender for the management of an F&B Ramadan bazaar in Dataran Shahbandar.

“We will offer only 72 plots and prioritise our members,” said Zakaria.

Terengganu has allowed Ramadan bazaars to be opened this year, in accordance with SOP set by the Health Ministry and National Security Council.

Thirty-six bazaars and 4,385 stalls will be set up, according to the Kuala Terengganu City Council.

Of the stalls, 4,099 are specifically for food, while the rest are for other wares.

Pasar Chabang Tiga Malay Vendors’ Association chairman Zabidi Zahid said the association was told that there is no change in SOP for organising the bazaars.

“The SOP is still the same. Our traders are required to complete their vaccination. We were not informed of any requirement for booster shots for Sinovac recipients.”

He said he hopes that the shift to the endemic phase will boost sales at the bazaars, as traders suffered due to pandemic-induced lockdowns in the past two years.

“We hope sales will increase this year, especially when people can start breaking fast outside and withdraw money from their Employees Provident Fund savings.

“There are a lot of people who want to shop compared with last year, when traders said they suffered big losses due to lack of traffic.” – March 28, 2022.