MELAKA: Craving for a variety of delicacies at Ramadan bazaars but hate the congestion? Worry not as there are 50 'Warong Riders' who are ready to purchase and deliver the food items directly to the doorstep, beginning this Thursday.

Melaka ICT Holdings (MICTH) deputy chief executive officer Dr Nazdiana Ab Wahab said the initiative, which was launched on March 30, has now received an encouraging response, with more than 250 riders registered with the delivery platform.

The service will first kick-off with 50 riders with the rest to join in stages as more bazaars offer online orders, she said.

"With the total number of riders, we hope it will make it easier for customers, especially those at the Melaka International Trade Centre (MITC) and Ayer Keroh areas, to get their iftar meals in a safe and less crowded environment.

"Most importantly, the delivery charges are at a minimal rate compared to other delivery applications," she said when contacted here today.

Nazdiana said for a start, the Warong Riders would focus on Ramadan bazaars at MITC Al-Alami Mosque and Peringgit before expanding in stages to other areas.

Although the area of coverage is still quite limited, Nazdiana was confident that the delivery platform could help to increase the sales revenue of small-scale traders in the selected bazaars.

She said at the same time, it can also create job opportunities for youths impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

MICTH is now taking proactive steps to encourage traders to sell online and encourage them to upgrade their skills by using systems and application provided by the company, Nazdiana said.

"We are also training them to use transaction terminals, as well as master online payment flow skills so that they, riders and buyers do not face any problems," she said.

-- BERNAMA