GEORGE TOWN: Having been scaled down in the last two years due to the pandemic, Ramadan bazaars will be making a grand comeback this year.

       A total of 72 bazaars have been approved by the Penang Island City Council (MBPP) and the Seberang Prai City Council (MBSP) this time.

       Prangin Mall manager Daniel Ng said the bazaar in front of the mall will be operating from April 1 until May 2.

       “We will have 80 stalls here selling delicacies such as coconut shake, kuih raya, satay, ayam masak merah, sayur lontong and murtabak, among others.

       “The bazaar will be open from 3pm to 8pm daily. This is the first time we are organising such a grand-scale Ramadan bazaar.

       “We hope that through this bazaar, we can provide opportunities for small traders who were badly affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.

       “To safeguard the health and safety of the public, we will have workers controlling the crowd, and making sure that customers check in via their MySejahtera, maintain physical distancing and wear face masks at all times,” he said.

       On the island, MBPP licensing director Rashidah Jalaludin said 1,317 stalls have been approved to operate at the 34 Ramadan bazaars.

       “To provide more comfort and choice for buyers, all bazaar organisers will have to register their traders through the Jom Beli Online@MBPP platform.

       “Through this, customers who want to buy non-food related items can also buy them online,” she said.

       Over on the Penang mainland, MBSP mayor Datuk Azhar Arshad said there will be 38 Ramadan bazaars this year.

       “The largest Ramadan bazaar on the mainland will be the one at Kubang Semang with 150 stalls.

       “We are still waiting for the latest SOP from the National Security Council,” he said.

       In 2020, Ramadan bazaars were not allowed nationwide, while last year, the bazaars were totally prohibited at areas under the enhanced movement control order.