By Nur Iwani
Since the implementation of the Movement Control Order (MCO) held on 18th March
2020 until today, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Muslims in Malaysia decided to
replace the annual bazaar Ramadan with a digital online bazaar.
On 16th April 2020, Federal Territories Minister Tan Sri Annuar Musa said there will be
no bazaar Ramadan this year after taking into account various factors and situations
with the National Security Council (NSC) and Health Ministry through his Facebook live.
“The war against Covid-19 is not over yet. I hope traders will understand our situation.”
Due to this, Malaysians especially traders have been urged to be creative in coming up
with ideas to sell Ramadan delicacies following the government’s decisions. Many traders have come up with ideas to shift the usual bazaar by selling their foods online through various social media platforms like WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram,
and many more.
A 48-year-old mother, Fauziah, who used to set up a stall at bazaar Ramadan in Taman
Melawati selling her Daging Rendang said “It is something that I have predicted since the MCO was lifted. I could not bear to be in a crowded place like bazaar Ramadan and seeing customers not practicing social distancing. Therefore, I have set up a plan to sell my Daging Rendang through Facebook and WhatsApp and my children can help me with deliveries”.
Numerous Ramadan bazaar groups can be seen through Facebook. The bazaar now is
very easy to access as people can just type “Ramadan bazaar” at the Facebook search box and a list of group names will show up. There are Bazaar Ramadhan Melawati, Ampang, Gombak, Subang Jaya, and many more.
In ‘Bazaar Ramadhan Melawati 2020’ Facebook page, an average of 1.6k posts is being posted every day. With 8.8k members in the group, people can go through the page and search their favorite kuih or dishes to eat when breaking the fast. Various choices of food and drinks from various shops are listed on the group page. The normal foods which Muslims usually search are Roti John, Bubur Lambuk, Murtabak, Ayam Percik, and many more. As for drinks, Air Katira, Cendol, and Air Jagung are the most famous ones.
Malaysians prefer to use this kind of platform as they do not want to spread any infectious disease. They are now adapting to the new normal to break the transmission of COVID-19 by following the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) suggested by the government.
Ummi Umairah, 22, a student of University Malaysia Pahang (UMP) who went back home said “I like the idea of the online Bazaar Ramadan as it can prevent social
gatherings from happening. It is also a good alternative for sellers and buyers. As a customer, I find it more convenient to just use my smartphone to order food online without getting ready to go out. The target market is also bigger as people will find it easier to order.”
For Nurashiqen, 31, said that with online bazaar, she can save a lot of time. Usually I will spend a good 30 minutes just to find a parking spot. Not to mention the traffic jams which I need to face before arriving at the bazaar. With an online bazaar, I can arrive home quickly and wait for my foods to arrive and prepare for other dishes too.
Aina Natasha, 27, said “Since I live only with my mother, having an online bazaar is worth it as my small family prefers to have various dishes without having to make it. If not, many dishes need to be washed and cleaned. This is also a way for me to help people’s business during these tough times.”
Since the digital bazaar was created, the amount of food wastage has lessened. This is because sellers have been taking orders from the customer via online platforms and sellers will only prepare the ordered ones. Like Fauziah, 48, who sells Daging Rendang said that in trying to adapt to the new normal, using social media as a platform to sell her food this year has lessened the amount of food wastage. “Since I have been taking orders from my customers, I will only prepare the ordered ones and another ten extra portions for any last-minute orders” she explained.
Sellers need to follow a number of guidelines while preparing food according to the
Health Ministry’s Food Safety and Quality Division (BKKM) in ensuring the safety of food. It is advised to always practice good hygiene by washing hands with soap, covering the mouth, and cooking in a clean environment using clean equipment. This is also applicable to the riders in delivering the food.
People are willing to pay more for delivery charges to follow the SOPs that the government has required. To combat the transmission of Covid-19 disease, Nadhirah, 22, said “I am willing to pay more for delivery charges for my food to arrive at my house rather than paying my hospital bills. This is the time for us to support the business to sustain and operate although the usual bazaar Ramadan is shifted to digital online bazaar”.
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