March 3, 2025
GEORGE TOWN – On the first day of Ramadan, Muslims took the opportunity to visit bustling Ramadan bazaars to buy dishes for their iftar meal.
In Penang, the Queen Street bazaar in Little India was abuzz with activity. Muslims and non- Muslims alike checked out the 25 stalls selling traditional treats such as murtabak and nasi briyani.
Despite the heat and the fasting hours, both traders and customers remained cheerful, embodying the spirit of Ramadan.
Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, who launched the newly rebranded Ramadan Food Fest 2025, noted the bazaar’s longstanding tradition.
“The Queen Street Ramadan bazaar, organised for about 21 years, is a focal point for the Muslim community seeking food for breaking fast,” he said.
Considering its vibrancy, Chow said there are plans to include all state Ramadan bazaars in the tourism calendar next year as potential tourism products.
He said the Ramadan Food Fest 2025 is more than just a typical bazaar, as it preserves the community’s identity in Penang.
Chow toured the stalls during a 30-minute walkabout, engaging with vendors and visitors.
Meanwhile, other Ramadan bazaars across Malaysia continue to attract crowds eager to buy a variety of dishes for iftar.
In Kuala Lumpur, the Kampung Baru Ramadan bazaar remains a popular destination.
“This is my first time here and it’s very big and clean, and the prices are reasonable,” a visitor, who only wished to be known as Damia, 26, told Bernama.
In Selangor, people flocked to the Stadium Shah Alam Ramadan bazaar as early as 3pm, despite it officially opening at 4pm.
The relocation from its former site has not deterred visitors eager to shop for food and drinks.
At Putrajaya’s Presint 3 Ramadan bazaar, the 290 stalls saw a lively crowd from 4pm onwards with many visitors bringing reusable bags, showing increased environmental awareness.
In Kedah, people took the opportunity to visit the bazaar as the first few days of Ramadan have been declared a public holiday in the state.
A check at the Simpang Empat Ramadan bazaar near Alor Star showed visitors trickling in as early as 4pm to explore and buy a variety of foods and drinks.
Despite light rain in Johor Baru, people visited the Bandar Baru Uda bazaar for local treats like murtabak and roti john.
In Terengganu, food prices rose slightly due to increased raw material costs, with whole chicken and ikan percik seeing price increases.
In neighbouring Kelantan, vendor Karimah Yusoff, 51, who operates at the Taman Bendahara bazaar, said she sells almost 20 types of drinks at RM4 each.
“Despite a slight increase in ingredient prices, our selling prices remain unchanged,” Karimah said, emphasising the commitment to affordability for her customers.
In Sarawak, the bustling Satok Ramadan bazaar remained a top choice among visitors.
“Even with food prices up by RM1 to RM2, people are excited to buy our traditional pastries,” said a vendor.
In Sabah, the Tawau Bataras Ramadan bazaar was packed with locals seeking their favourite dishes such as green banana porridge and nasi kuning berlauk.