MELAKA: Melaka's pioneer Ramadan mega-bazaar along Jalan Hang Tuah here is back in action after a four-year hiatus thanks to the efforts of a social activist.

       Ikatan Generasi Muda Melaka(IGMM) chairman Muhammad Fikri Mohd Ali has taken over as the organiser of the bazaar this year and has injected RM100,000 to turn the site into a "bazaar of lights".

       "People are returning to the bazaar after it lost its lustre some years ago.

       "We have registered an estimated 200,000 visitors in total since we opened the bazaar a few days ago," he said in an interview here on Sunday (April 10).

       Fikri, who is also a businessman, said 80 trees in the area as well as 128 tents were decorated with LED lights to woo visitors.

       He also said a new Proton Saga car, a motorcycle, electrical appliances and other prizes were up for grabs by visitors during a lucky draw on April 24.

       Muhammad Fikri said well-known local celebrities have also been invited to perform at the bazaar.

       "I took the challenge of reviving the bazaar and I am confident of achieving one million visitors to the bazaar by the end of this Ramadan month," he added.

       The mega-bazaar on Jalan Hang Tuah, which made its debut in 2013,

       was a carnival-like event attracting close to 10,000 people a day at its peak.

       In 2019, many traders had gradually begun closing down their stalls

       halfway through the Ramadan month due to the tepid response from locals.

       Last year, the Melaka government suggested for the bazaar to be closed just a few days after it started following lukewarm response from locals.