Cashless transactions at all 19 PJ Ramadan bazaars

A NOTABLE shift to cashless trading has been embraced by Ramadan bazaars in recent years.

This year, the Jalan SS6/1 Ramadan bazaar in Petaling Jaya was launched with the theme “Digital & Clean 2024”.

It is the biggest bazaar in the city among the 19 locations.

A brief spell of rain did not stop people from gathering at the bazaar where a tent was set up by Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) for Petaling Jaya mayor Mohamad Zahri Samingon to launch the event.

MBPJ now requires all micro-entrepreneurs at Ramadan, Chinese New Year and Deepavali bazaars to attach proof of a QR code when applying for their business licence.

Mohamad Zahri said, “This is in line with Selangor’s drive towards the digitisation of the micro sector via a payment system using a cashless method introduced in 2018, as well as the Smart Selangor Action Plan 2022 (SSAP 2025) that was introduced by the Smart Selangor Unit.

“For 2024, 100% of Ramadan bazaar micro-entrepreneurs have attached a QR code and are expected to go cashless.

“We expect the cashless transactions to reach 85% at all 19 bazaar locations.

“This collaboration is carried out with Menteri Besar Selangor Incorporated (MBI).”

Also present were deputy mayor Aznan Hassan, Petaling Jaya MP Lee Chean Chung, Selangor Health Department director Dr Ummi Kalthom Shamsudin and MBI corporate social responsibility head Ahmad Azri Zainal Nor.

This year, there are 1,243 lots in Petaling Jaya.

Mohamad Zahri said MBPJ had also spent a large amount of funds on cleaning, especially at the bazaars and markets.

He said this would help reduce problems resulting from rubbish like blocked drains and floods.

“We also want to ensure all micro-entrepreneurs comply with hygiene requirements.”

He said a bazaar briefing was held face-to-face with the traders.

“The traders also went through a course on food handling and menu engineering for Ramadan, as well as a hand swab for E.coli screening,” he added.

MBPJ has introduced the Sustenance Basket (Bakul Rezeki) campaign at several bazaar locations.

“In addition to avoiding waste, this campaign includes sharing sustenance and caring for the less fortunate this Ramadan,” said Mohamad Zahri.

At the Ramadan bazaar in Jalan SS6/1, 154 micro-entrepreneurs (74%) have voluntarily contributed to the 2024 Sustenance Basket programme.

In collaboration with the Selangor Health Department, the Health Ministry will distribute pamphlets containing tips for selecting food at the Ramadan bazaar (for the public), and five food safety guides (for the traders).