KUALA LUMPUR: For many, the freedom to go to Ramadan bazaars to buy food for buka puasa is today but a distant memory.
The activity, regarded by many as part of the quintessential Malaysian Ramadan experience, is now banned due to the movement control order (MCO) that was put in place to contain the Covid-19 pandemic.
The government’s decision to cancel Ramadan bazaars makes sense, as bazaars — particularly Ramadan bazaars — tend to be jam-packed with people from all walks of life.
Malaysians still wanting to engage in the experience, however, can still do so thanks to an initiative by online one-stop service centre HELPY.
Called BRO (Bazar Ramadan Online), it allows Malaysians to “go to” Ramadan bazaars while adhering to social distancing rules and the MCO.
Its founder, Nur Iswandy Yakop, 40, said BRO was initiated to provide Malaysians with the kinds of food they typically desire from Ramadan bazaars such as roti john, murtabak, ayam percik and various Malay traditional kuih — but without the risk of Covid-19 exposure.
The Kuching-born businessman said BRO also provides an avenue for Malaysians to generate income through joining their platform as one of their vendors during the ongoing movement control order (MCO).
“Rest assured, BRO will follow the standard operating procedures as outlined by the Health Ministry in terms of food preparation and adheres to hygiene standards, particularly during the food delivery process by our riders.
“This is achieved through using personal protective equipment, hand gloves, face mask and double packaging with proper sanitary method,” he told Bernama.
Asked on the criteria needed to become a vendor, Nur Iswandy said they needed to have food handling certification as well as proof of typhoid immunisation.
Queried on the response received by vendors thus far, he said that more than 1,400 applications have been received while another 7,000 applications were still on the waiting list.
HELPY currently has more than 2,000 registered and active runners to provide prompt delivery to customers.
Nur Iswandy said the initiative is also supported by the Sarawak state government, with the list of local councils endorsing HELPY as their digital platform to buy food online during Ramadan to be announced soon.
“BRO will also be available in Sabah, Terengganu, Kedah and hopefully in Perak and Kuala Lumpur too,” he said.
To reduce contact during delivery, all payments must be made online via various payment gateways such as online banking, e-wallet (Boost and Sarawak Pay) and HELPY Credit.
Nur Iswandy is expecting BRO to make some RM200,000 in profit during the holy month of Ramadan.
BRO, which is featured in one of the categories within the HELPY app, may be downloaded via App Store (iOS) and Google Play (Android).
Those interested in becoming a vendor can register via the HELPY app or directly fill a Google form at https://forms.gle/ZZ8LKfBkWCf8X9CV7. – Bernama
