KUCHING: The public don’t really know what to make of Ramadan bazaars this year, what with the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic and all the rest of it.
To open or not to open is the crux of the matter. To open means risking spreading Covid-19 and possibly creating some more clusters of infected people who are dangerous not only to their immediate circles of families and friends, but also whole neighbourhoods and communities.
On the other hand, not having Ramadan bazaars won’t make the fasting month any less meaningful for those who profess the religion of Islam. Fasting, after all (with or without the bazaars) is one of the five tenets of the faith. And yet in the local context, not having Ramadan bazaars to go to like those in years gone by would be akin to not having sugar or milk or creamer in one’s coffee or tea. The beverage is still drinkable, but the oomph is not there. In short, it is downright bland, and even yucky to some people.
Sarawak Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) is known to the public by now as one authority that is never hasty when making decisions on such a matter. The pros and cons are always weighed diligently and intelligently before public announcements are made on what to do and what not to do.
In the case of the bazaars, the committee has decided to allow them to operate from April 12 to May 12, albeit with strict adherence to standard operating procedures (SOPs).
This is well and good, but the public should not count their eggs before their chickens lay them because remember, last year’s Ramadan bazaars had to be cancelled after the Covid-19 pandemic became worse and worse.
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LOQMAN HAKIM SUPIAN, Digital content reviewer
We must not let our guard down because Ramadan bazaars are similar to night markets, which means shoppers and traders get very close to one another in confined spaces. I say open the bazaars but the public who patronise them must strictly comply with the standard operating procedures (SOPs).
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NUR FAZIRA HASSAN, Aeon Credit Service collector
Ramadan bazaars can help small businesses to earn extra income. They also help busy Muslims to buy food and drinks to break their fast. Last year, the bazaars were online due to the movement control order (MCO). It was quite challenging for sellers to promote and deliver their products.
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Mohamad Ilham Abdullah, Administration executive
As public health is at stake, we should not risk spreading Covid-19 by opening Ramadan bazaars. SOPs are just words on paper and mean nothing when not enforced or complied with rigorously. Just go to certain places and observe if the SOPs mean much. Let’s face it, some people just don’t care.
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NUR SHANIEZA, Student
Bazaars are among the most useful and most patronised places during the fasting month. Without them, Ramadan would be too sombre and quiet. That’s why I am happy that the government has decided to allow them to operate this year. Anyway, when they do open they would be rather unique as everybody would be wearing face masks.
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FAIZ MAHMUD, Private sector worker
Ramadan bazaars are always used by individuals and small businesses to earn extra income although they were originally meant to help busy Muslims obtain food and drinks for breaking the fast. I just hope that there would be more stringent enforcement of the SOPs to keep everybody safe.
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RUSSELL LIM, Self-employed
I believe that having Ramadan bazaars open would be a morale booster to the public. It would give the impression that we have the Covid-19 pandemic under control. We need to instil public confidence so that people would not be scared all the time and depressed. Opening the bazaars is not only about buying and selling things to eat and drink.
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MADRINE CECELIA, Private sector worker
We missed Ramadan bazaars last year. Therefore, is nice not to ban them this year. I am just as worried as most people about getting infected, but having the bazaars open for business is doable as long as the standard operating procedures (SOPs) are enforced and complied with to the fullest. Strict SOPs won’t stop people from coming as they know they would be safe.
