KUCHING: The Ramadan bazaars at Satok, Semarak, Sukma Ria, and six other locations under the Kuching North City Commission (DBKU) areas were officially opened yesterday in conjunction with the Month of Ramadan this year. A total of 248 lots were provided by DBKU whereby 93 lots were allocated at Satok, 57 lots at Semarak and 98 lots at Sukma Ria.
The Chief Minister, Datuk Patinggi (Dr) Abang Johari Tun Openg was present at the Ramadan bazaar in Satok to officiate the bazaar as well as meet the locals.Meanwhile, the Ramadan bazaar at Semarak was officiated by Tupong State Assemblyman, Fazzrudin Abdul Rahman.
In addition, DBKU had given Ramadan bazaar permits to 260 lots at six other locations, namely Menara SEDC at Kuching Isthmus (five lots), the compounds of night market at Bandar Baru Samariang (20 lots), the site opposite Pasar Tani Demak Laut (15 lots), parking area facing Block C at Medan Niaga Satok (85 lots), new building site in front of Koo Cafe at Metro City (80 lots) and the parking area of MYDIN Petra Jaya (55 lots). The hawkers at the bazaars have been reminded to comply with the rules and regulations set by DBKU and the State Health Department.
Meanwhile, the use of styrofoam (polystyrene) as food packaging was not allowed by DBKU and the public has been urged to bring their own containers to the bazaars. In addition, the hawkers have been advised to know their source of food and ensure that those involved in providing the food would handle and provide the best services to the customers as well as ensuring the food sold were clean and safe for consumption. The Ramadan bazaars are set up to enable cityfolks to buy food items for ‘buka puasa’ during this fasting month.
Items include traditional and modern cakes, varieties of foods, dishes and beverages. There are also items that are sold only during the month of fasting such as ‘bubur pedas’, ‘nasi hujan panas’ and ‘bubur syura’. Through the bazaar, it is hoped that it would encourage and provide opportunities to small traders especially bumiputera traders and at the same time encourage tourism sectors where it would attract tourists and promote the State’s traditional cooking.
