Ramadan bazaar draws thousands on first day of fasting

KOTA KINABALU (March 2): Thousands of visitors thronged the Ramadan bazaar at Lintasan Deasoka here on the first day of the fasting month, creating a lively and bustling atmosphere. A check by the Borneo Post on Sunday found people from all walks of life showing up at the bazaar as early as 3pm to take a look at the various food and beverages on offer.

Several visitors and traders shared their views on prices, visitor reception and diversity, business costs and traffic in the area. Clinttino Philip, 30, who came to visit the bazaar with his wife and their two children, opined that the prices of the items are still affordable.

On traffic, he echoed it is also acceptable and parking can be found for early birds, advising the people to plan their journeys early and maybe bear with parking a bit further and walking to the venue.

“But overall, the most important thing is that the cleanliness here is still taken care of so far,” he said. Another visitor, Quinn Jonnes, 48, had the chance to experience a Ramadan bazaar for the first time here.

The Californian, who had visited Kota Kinabalu’s Friday and Saturday night markets before, attributed the amount of visitors at the Sunday bazaar to good and cheap food.

Some of his Malaysian food favorites include teh tarik ping and Milo ping, mee goreng and roti canai, although he is still trying to get accustomed to the taste of the infamous durian fruit.

“Everybody here seems really friendly and get along with one another.

“This is my fourth time in Kota Kinabalu and I plan to come back every year. It’s been a lot of fun here,” he said. For Ahmad Fadhil, 29, it was his first time fasting in the Ramadan month here since moving from Lahad Datu last year.

Some of the differences he noticed compared to his hometown is the prices of goods at the Sunday bazaar.

“On the price of goods, I cannot comment further as I understand that maybe due to economic pressures and inflation as well as a less desirable economic structure, traders have to reach their profit margins.

“But as a buyer, I hope that the traders can give us their best products as what we expect, where we are satisfied in terms of taste and quality. “Overall, I am satisfied by this bazaar in terms of cleanliness and a lively atmosphere. It’s a new experience for me,” he said.

There was also a variety of visitors, said Ahmad Fadhil, as he observed not only Muslims but people from other religions visiting the bazaar. “This is a norm in Malaysia, where we celebrate each festivity regardless of race, religion or ethnicity.

“And this is very encouraging as not only those fasting are purchasing at the bazaar, but even other races can get to taste food that might only be available during the Ramadhan season,” he said.

From the traders’ side, Yenny Jamrut, 40, also agreed that the items being offered at the bazaar are acceptable. However, she said that the cost of materials for her satays and cendols had risen by nearly 50 percent.

Regarding the reception of visitors, she expressed her gratitude to their overwhelming support, while in terms of variety, not only locals but she has also met customers from as far as Kuala Lumpur.

“So that’s why I think that this is the most strategic place for a Ramadan bazaar, as not only locals visit this area but also foreigners who come to enjoy the breaking fast meals,” she said.

Muhammad Imranshah Ibrahim, 22, who sells mostly “ayam berempah” rice, said that the prices at the bazaar are appropriate, where even the B40 community can come and purchase food and beverages.

His business costs, however, have increased a lot due to rising prices of goods, causing a setback for this year’s operations, but he still able to survive.

“We are calling on the community, locals and tourists alike, to come to Gaya Street and welcome the fasting month in a happy atmosphere, with the various types of goods and beverages available at this bazaar,” he said.

For fruit seller Rosimah Hajad, 61, who has been in the business for 40 years, delight and excitement were her words to describe the number of visitors to the bazaar, while hoping for good weather for the rest of the Ramadan month.

“For me, there was no cost increase for materials. And to my knowledge, the prices here do not exceed the appropriate level. “Even the items we sell, a cup of fruit is RM5, while a mixed cup is RM10,” she said.

The liveliness seen at Ramadan bazaars in the city is expected to continue in this fasting month, with the number of visitors also expected to grow by the day.

-Agency