Ramadan shopping a hit at Jalan Tar-Jalan Masjid India area

The Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman, fondly called Jalan TAR, and Jalan Masjid India area is synonymous with shopping, more so during the month of Ramadan leading up to Aidilfitri. Visitors are prepared to face the traffic congestion there, particularly during weekends, to buy what they want for themselves and their families. Nur Nazihah Mazlan, 28, a clerk with a private company, is no exception. She prefers to be the early bird so that she can beat the crowds that swell nearer to Aidilfitri. "I like to shop here because I can get clothing of the latest fashion. There is also a large selection of goods and I can buy what I desire all at one place," she told Bernama. One of the 'must-buy' products in the Jalan TAR-Jalan Masjid India area is dates for breaking of the fast, and the traders stand to make a good profit because of the demand. A trader of dates, Normala Abdullah, 40, said her sales could go up to RM3,000 per day. "I sell a variety of dates and they are in great demand. However, I have to reduce the quantity I can put up for sale due to the limited space for trading," she said. Roslina Yusuf, 40, a trader of sarong and batik for almost 18 years there, said she was trilled at the encouraging response from customers. The customers came not only from Kuala Lumpur and Selangor but all over the country, including from states such as Kedah and Johor, to buy goods in bulk, she said. "This week, most people have received their (June) salary," she said, adding that the rush was evident from the morning even at the other stalls. Hasibah Abdul Kadir, 43, said she was prepared to come all the way from Port Dickson in Negeri Sembilan to buy goods for Ramadan and Aidilfitri because of the wide selection available at reasonable prices. "Usually, the family makes the trip to look at home decorative items and clothing," she said. She said it was hoped that the traders would have more selection of children's clothing. Meanwhile, Kuala Lumpur City Hall enforcement officer Mohd Hariyadi Mohd Nor said there was a proposal to provide a bigger trading site for licensed traders and hawkers in Jalan Masjid India by closing a section of the parking lot there. He also said that about 400 City Hall personnel had been deployed to monitor the traders in the Jalan TAR and Jalan Masjid India areas during Ramadan.