By Sheeda Fathil
AMPANG JAYA, Mar 1 — Although the fasting month only starts tomorrow, a few traders opened their stalls on Thursday at the Ampang Jaya Municipal Council (MPAJ) field Ramadan bazaar.
From 5pm, several of them were seen selling briyani, nasi lemak, fried chicken, various kuih, and bottled drinks.
The early birds’ endeavour is a brave one, as the public rarely visit Ramadan bazaars before the holy month starts.
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Briyani seller Mohd Farhan Arifin seen at the Ampang Jaya Municipal Council field Ramadan bazaar on February 28, 2025. — Picture by HARUN TAJUDIN/MEDIA SELANGOR[/caption]
A trader, Mohd Farhan Arifin, 40, said he supports the MPAJ’s move to open the bazaar early, which has allowed sellers to make early preparations.
“Based on my five years of experience at this bazaar, it is good that MPAJ opened the bazaar early, so we can avoid the crowd and set up our equipment for Ramadan.
“As this is a parking lot, there are traders who had to start selling later, as there were still cars parked here. With the bazaar opening early, we could at least pitch our tents here.
“Praise be to God, for the first time, we were able to leave our tents and tables here, so we don’t have to rush during Ramadan,” the briyani seller said.
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Fried chicken seller Badrul Kamaruzaman Jamaluddin seen at the Ampang Jaya Municipal Council field Ramadan bazaar on February 28, 2025. — Picture by HARUN TAJUDIN/MEDIA SELANGOR[/caption]
Of differing opinion was fried chicken seller Badrul Kamaruzaman Jamaluddin, 46, who opened his stall yesterday to gauge customers’ reception as it was his first time selling at a Ramadan bazaar.
“I had only ever had roadside stalls as a petty trader, so this year I’m trying my luck at a Ramadan bazaar. Sales are slow because Ramadan hasn’t begun, but we’re trying because we’re trying to gauge people’s ‘mood’.
“As a newbie, I hope all traders here are able to do business in good health. For my fried chicken ‘Rahmah menu’, I’m selling it for as low as RM2,” he said.
Traders in general admitted it was a challenge to do business this year as the start of the school session, Ramadan and Aidilfitri all coincide.
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Visitor N. Rajeswary seen at the Ampang Jaya Municipal Council field Ramadan bazaar on February 28, 2025. — Picture by HARUN TAJUDIN/MEDIA SELANGOR[/caption]
Visitor N. Rajesway, 60, said she was happy the Ramadan bazaar was opened early as it allowed Indian and Chinese people to sample Ramadan favourites.
“I’ve lived nearby for eight years, and previously, during the fasting month, I would visit the bazaar as early as 3pm so I don’t disturb Muslims when they’re buying food to break fast.
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Visitor Ruslina Abd Rahim seen at the Ampang Jaya Municipal Council field Ramadan bazaar on February 28, 2025. — Picture by HARUN TAJUDIN/MEDIA SELANGOR[/caption]
Another visitor, Ruslina Abd Rahim, 52, expressed hope the bazaar would be opened earlier next year as well so people can “taste test” dishes.
“During Ramadan, we have the appetite for everything, but when we taste it at home it may not be to our liking. When we can try these dishes before the fasting month, we would know which stalls to buy from,” she said.
The MPAJ in a recent statement said Ramadan bazaars under its jurisdiction would open on February 27; two days before fasting begins.
