KUCHING: The fasting month has brought back the Ramadan Bazaar after two years of absence, drawing many to the allocated venues for food.
However, there have been some concerns raised by the public on stall hawkers marking up their food prices unreasonably.
Recently, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said the cooked food prices at the bazaar are beyond the government’s control.
New Sarawak Tribune managed to interview the public on their thoughts when visiting the Ramadan Bazaar.
SAMUEL DING NGAU
(Chef)
“I find that the pre-packed foods are pricey. For instance, I bought five onde-onde for RM3, but it was hard and small. Perhaps it is due to the increase in living cost that stall hawkers are increasing the prices.”
NORASHIKIN RAPAEE
(Admin)
“Maybe the sellers are trying to make up for their losses during the pandemic, that’s why most food are expensive. However, I feel it’s still acceptable to support our local sellers but there should be some control over it.”
MUHAMMAD HARITH MURSHIDI
(Food rider)
“I do feel taken advantage of when buying overpriced food. The government should impose some control on the price of goods sold at Bazaar Ramadan.”
ALEX MCLEAN
(Tech Clerk)
“I think it’s hard for the government to control prices in a bazaar, especially with the current deteriorating economy and we’re trying to recover from it, but it’s still not fine for the sellers to overprice their food.”