The Malaysian Insight

SOME Ramadan bazar traders at Jalan Raja feel that they are being treated as “lab rats” after they were moved from their customary spot at Lorong Tuanku Abdul Rahman (TAR) and Jalan Masjid India.

They said sales have fallen by half after the shift.

“We never wanted to move to Jalan Raja. And without any promotion to attract customers after 10 days we hope something is done to help us. We are like an experiment.

“We don’t mind trading here, but we hope there are more promotions being done to help us as we only trade for one month in a whole year,” said Aziz Muhamad, 39.

Mohd Fikri Abd Razak, 31, who sells baju Melayu, said that customers have been confused by the change of venues.

“Sales used to be good in Jalan TAR. The only bad days are the first four days. Those who are not aware of Jalan Raja don’t know where it is as they only know Dataran Merdeka. We are like an experiment,” the trader told The Malaysian Insight.

The survey by The Malaysian Insight showed that the bazar Ramadan had fewer local customers and had more foreign tourists.

The bazaar tents were also not as good as those on Jalan TAR.

Another two traders said they hoped that the authorities would move the bazar back to the original location, as sales were better there.

“This place is okay. It just has fewer customers as it’s a new spot. They need to promote this place better. When we were on Jalan TAR, we would make money from the first day itself. Half of our sales have gone,” said Sharifah Mohd Nor, 52, who has traded for 20 years.

“The sales from two years ago were very different. People can’t even find parking herem hence there are fewer customers. When it was along Jalan TAR, office workers would come to shop,” said kuih raya trader Mohamad Fazrul Nazri, 19.

Customer Jamaliah Abu Samah, 59, also wants the bazar to be moved back to the original area.

“There were more customers there for years. I prefer Jalan TAR as it was more accessible.” –  May 20, 2019.