Umno's Lokman Adam has questioned why the Ramadan bazaar in the capital's Jalan Masjid India was done through a “support letter” instead of an open tender.

This was after Bukit Bintang Bersatu Youth chief Mohd Noorhisyam Abdul Karim was accused of using political connections to secure rights to 80 bazaar lots there and then renting them out for as high as RM5,000 per lot allegedly making up to RM400,000 in the process.

Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) had only charged a total of RM6,238.40 for the 80 lots.

"Why was there no open tender conducted for the lots issued by DBKL?

"Why were the lots given to Bersatu only? Should a youth chief be given up to 80 lots at such a cheap price and why was it given to him directly?" Lokman said in a statement today.

DBKL told Malaysiakini that it did not intend to issue Ramadan bazaar lots along Jalan Masjid India but had only done so after receiving a “letter of support” from DAP's Bukit Bintang MP Fong Kui Lun.

Fong said he only issued the letter after Noorhisyam told him no payment would be collected and that it was to supposedly help traders who previously hadn't been able to get a Ramadan bazaar licence from DBKL.

Lokman, who leads Pemantau Malaysia Baru, an organisation intended to act as a watchdog on the new government, said the Ramadan bazaar lots by DBKL was done through a tender during BN's era.

"Looks like the culture of hypocrisy and failing to walk the talk is plaguing the lower rung leaders in Bersatu during the holy month of Ramadan.

"Aren't such bazaar lots intended to help small businesses by Muslims during the sacred month to increase their income for Hari Raya?" he said.

Lokman singled out DAP's Kepong MP Lim Lip Eng and Seputeh MP Teresa Kok who had been vocal on DBKL issues, questioning their stance on the matter.

Meanwhile, traders at the Ramadan bazaar along Jalan Masjid India confirmed with Malaysiakini that they had to pay upwards of RM3,000 for a lot.

However, Mohd Noorhisyam, when contacted by Malaysiakini, denied he collected payment more than the cost imposed by DBKL.