Ramadan bazaar traders at Jalan Raja miss old location
Halfway through the fasting month, traders at the Ramadan bazaar along Jalan Raja in Kuala Lumpur conveyed mixed reactions over their business in the new area.
During Malaysiakini's visit to the air-conditioned bazaar, located 1km from the Masjid Jamek LRT station, it was immediately apparent that the new location is more spacious than the old bazaar in Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman...
Halfway through the fasting month, traders at the Ramadan bazaar along Jalan Raja in Kuala Lumpur conveyed mixed reactions over their business in the new area.
During Malaysiakini's visit to the air-conditioned bazaar, located 1km from the Masjid Jamek LRT station, it was immediately apparent that the new location is more spacious than the old bazaar in Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman.
Despite the relative comfort, however, some traders complained that business was slow, and that they missed the brisk sales in the old location.
"My business is slow and dying," said Erin Marzuki (below), who sells traditional dresses for children.
The 37-year-old trader complained that she now receives fewer customers, even on weekends, and that she has sold just 30 percent of her stock, despite passing the 15-day mark in the month of Ramadan.
"This location is not strategic. This is a tourist area, not suitable for business," she said.
On March 25, Federal Territories Deputy Minister Shahruddin Md Salleh had announced the relocation of the bazaar due to complaints from the owners of premises along Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman and Jalan Masjid India.
They complained that the small stalls blocked the road to their premises, and of the sea of rubbish generated from the increasing number of customers and business activities in the area.
A tudung seller, Nursyuzlyana Suherman, 23, said the difference in sales between the old and new areas is stark.
She claimed that she could rake in RM6,000 in sales a day in the old location, but only collected a meagre RM300 due to the lack of customers here.
"At Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman, there would be a steady stream of customers in the morning. Comfort is not a concern over there," she said.
However, kuih seller Mohammad Salihin Mohd Arif (above, left) said he likes the new bazaar because it is more organised than the old one.
He said the lack of customers can be attributed to the buying trend during Ramadan.
"Many people will start buying about a week before Raya or on Raya's eve because they expect the price to drop.
"We already know that, so we don't raise our hopes," he said.
Are you sure you want to delete this comment?
This action cannot be undone.