Consumer groups are dissatisfied with the high prices and poor quality of food sold in Ramadan bazaars during this fasting month.  

They told The Malaysian Insight that traders should not use increases in ingredient costs as an excuse. 

There have been numerous complaints on social media from bazaar goers who say they are paying more for inferior food. 

A man recently complained that he was charged RM15 for a simple dish of nasi lemak at a Puchong Permai bazaar. Others grumble about the stale meals sold at these places. 

Nur Asyikin Aminudin of Federation of Malaysian Consumers Association (Fomca) said food sellers must act responsibly in providing food of good quality and quantity. 

She said many food sellers were not paying attention to cleanliness and hygiene in the preparation of food. 

“As a person who goes to Bazaar Ramadan, I can say that the quality is very poor. I don’t usually complain about the price as I am aware of things being more expensive now, but the least they could do is upgrade the quality.  

“Be cleaner, be tastier. Do not sell almost expired food. What we have today is tasteless food sold at an unreasonable price,” the Fomca deputy secretary general said. 

Veteran Consumer Association of Penang member N. V. Subbarow concurred, adding that selling pricy food had become the norm for many traders. 

He admitted that food prices had gone up and complaints had been received from many of his Muslim friends. 

“This is not good practice; don’t just try to make money but provide good food with good quality.  

“Maybe you can make the portion smaller, so the price drops but it still tastes good,” he stressed. 

Persatuan Pengguna Islam Malaysia president Nadzim Johan urged people to play a more proactive role. 

He said consumers should avoid buying expensive food and boycott stalls that sold low-quality meals. 

“We can bring about change; we should act. If we want them to lower their price, we should stop buying from them; maybe with that they will realise that their prices are ridiculous. 

“Overall, I think we should be moderate in spending. Buy food that we can finish to avoid wastage,” he added. 

Traders defend price increases

An Ampang Ramadan bazaar food seller, Ayob Ghani, defended the raising of prices, saying many traders were left without a choice. 

He acknowledged that certain traders did not pay extra attention to food quality. 

“I think the price I charge is reasonable. For instance, my nasi kerabu is sold between RM6.50 to RM8.50 depending on the side dishes. 

“Next to me is a nasi briyani seller; they sell that for RM12 as it comes with lamb. Chicken is cheaper. The prices are not much different from the previous bazaar. Even during Covid-19, if you compare, there is not much difference,” he said. 

Ayob, however, revealed that some site owners were renting out spaces at an unreasonable rate. 

“Just go to the site where Uda Holdings is renting its space. You have to pay RM12,000 a month. Imagine the price sellers have to charge for their products, whether food or clothes.  

“If the rent is that high, how do we set the price? In some cases, traders are being pressured by site owners. So, we get the blame,” said Ayob. 

A consumer who wished to be known as Alif said the bazaar food prices had not changed that much. 

The Cheras resident said not everything was expensive. 

“To be fair, there are some who sell food at a reasonable price.  

“Some traders sell delicacies expensively. Don’t buy from them,” he said. 

Siti Maizura Othman from Shah Alam said the quality of food was terrible in some Klang Valley bazaars. 

“Some traders just are ripping us off during Ramadan. Especially when it comes to kuih. We can accept that ingredients are expensive, but don’t rip us off. Selling an empty curry puff for RM5 is too much. 

“A normal-sized chicken murtabak at RM8 is a joke. Just because you are in Subang, it doesn’t mean you can increase the price as you wish,” she added. – April 3, 2023.