No Ramadan bazaars in Federal Territories this year - Annuar Musa

There will be no Ramadan bazaars in the Federal Territories of Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya and Labuan this year, said its Minister Tan Sri Annuar Musa.

He said Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL), Putrajaya Corporation (PPj) and Labuan Corporation (PL) would be returning the payment of licence, deposit and service charge to hawkers and organisers who were approved earlier.

“A total of 2,673 hawkers at 66 Ramadan bazaar locations had registered with DBKL, 300 with PPj and 215 hawkers at three locations with PL.

“Following that, we are introducing three new approaches to sell food and drinks during the Ramadan month namely drive-through, Pack and Pick as well as e-hailing delivery,” he said at a media conference here today.

Annuar said for the drive-through concept, hawkers would be arranged according to segments and all food are packed for customers to select.

There will be four lanes, each with a line of canopies 20 metres and enforcement personnel would be on hand to control traffic flow,” he said and added that among the proposed locations are along Precinct 2 Boulevard in Putrajaya and the Bukit Jalil National Stadium.

He said members of the public could book and pay their food orders online before collecting them from the places stipulated by the local authorities.

“We are also deciding on possible sites as central kitchens which would be about 7 km from housing areas for the three concepts from 11 am to 6 pm,” he said.

He said the registration of hawkers for the three concepts at the approved locations would be opened from April 13 to 19.

“Hawkers who have registered for Ramadan bazaars earlier could also register according to conditions and an incentive would also be introduced to encourage them to follow the new concept,” he said.

Annuar said the breaking of fast or any gatherings during Ramadan would not be allowed.

“Whether the Movement Control Order (MCO) has been lifted or continued, we think the social distancing guidelines of the Health Ministry should continue to break the chain of COVID-19 infection.

“Nonetheless, those who wish to contribute food to the needy, should inform us of the total amount of contribution and the address should be given and we will help them to deliver to the targeted group,” he said.

Meanwhile, on the Enhanced Movement Control Order (EMCO) at Selangor Mansion and Malayan Mansion, he said the ministry would be cooperating with hawkers to set up temporary tents to sell food to the residents in groups.

“We have to control tightly during EMCO as we do not want them to get out of the building. They can come down in groups of 10 to the tents to buy essential goods and escorted back by police and armed forces personnel.

“This is because we are still conducting health sampling at both buildings.

“We are also cooperating with the High Commissions of India, Pakistan and Bangladesh to control more than 5,000 of their citizens living in the EMCO areas such as Menara City One, Malayan Mansion and Selangor Mansion, by making announcements in various languages so that they comply with the requirements of EMCO,” he said. - BERNAMA