The Alor Setar City Council (MBAS) plans to impose a requirement for night traders to temporarily cease operations for half an hour during Maghrib.

Alor Setar mayor Mat Noh Ahmad said this was to allow Muslim traders to perform the Maghrib prayer.

For a start, he said, it would be implemented at the Pantai Johor night market as it was located in front of a mosque.

If successful, we would expand it to other night markets located near surau or mosques, he said, adding that traders would be required to close their business 15 minutes before and after the Maghrib prayer time.

However, he said, discussions would be held with the night market traders to get their views on the matter.

In another development, Mat Noh said 30 cases had been filed against operators of food stalls and shops for operating their business before 3pm during Ramadan.

- Bernama