(Third from left onwards) Agrobank credit approval (corporate and enterprise) head Azizan Noor Abd Wahab, Ng and Amirul, together with Subang Jaya deputy mayor Mohd Zulkurnain Che Ali (right) at the official opening of the bazaar. — Photos: JADE CHAN/The Star
MBSJ will relocate roadside hawkers to new RM550,000 site in Subang Jaya after Ramadan
HAWKERS previously operating illegally along roads in the commercial area of PUJ 3, Taman Puncak Jalil in Selangor, will be relocated to the Taman Puncak Jalil 3/10 next month.
Subang Jaya mayor Datuk Amirul Azizan Abd Rahim said the new location was built at a cost of RM550,000 on a 0.4ha plot owned by Subang Jaya City Council (MBSJ).
“The site is presently being used as a Ramadan bazaar location.
“The PUJ 3 hawkers will be relocated here in April,” he said.
The new site will have 60 trading lots measuring 3x3m each.
Kinrara assemblyman Ng Sze Han said MBSJ’s move to relocate the roadside traders to a dedicated space would ensure public safety and a smoother traffic flow.
Amirul and Ng were speaking after launching the new Taman Puncak Jalil Ramadan bazaar.
Previously located along Jalan PUJ 3/2, the bazaar was moved to its new site in Seri Kembangan this year.
“The new bazaar location has been very well-received by the public,” said Ng, who is Selangor investment, trade and mobility committee chairman.
“Seeing the congestion on the first two days of Ramadan, MBSJ took immediate action by adjusting the layout so customers have more space to walk and browse.”
MBSJ is one of the local authorities selected by Bank Pertanian Malaysia Bhd (Agrobank) this year for the bank’s initiative to support small traders and micro-entrepreneurs in switching to cashless transactions.
The programme encourages the use of e-wallet payment methods at Ramadan bazaars.
Agrobank also provided red canopies measuring 2.4x2.4m to participating traders to ensure the bazaar has a more uniformed look.
In addition, MBSJ is continuing its used cooking oil recycling campaign, according to Ng.
To reduce food wastage, the council is again working with social enterprise What A Waste (WAW) to distribute unsold bazaar food to communities in need.
The ban on polystyrene packaging, plastic straws, and staples in food packaging is also in effect.
There are 20 Ramadan bazaar locations with 1,118 lots under MBSJ’s purview this year.
The Abang Gepok Sambal Kritikal stall is one of the popular ones at the new bazaar location.
A stall called “Abang Gepok Sambal Kritikal” was one that attracted many buyers at the new bazaar.
Its owner Muhammad Ameer Haziq Azizi said the stall focused on his bestselling dish of fried chicken with sambal.
A food court stall that he runs in Kampung Baru, Kuala Lumpur, offers a wider menu that includes assorted fried fish.
“My bestseller is the Ayam Gepok with sambal merah.
“Those who can’t take very spicy food can opt for the sambal hijau,” he said.
The chicken comes in two options of Ayam Dara and Ayam Crispy, each with its own marinade and style of cooking.
Prices start from RM8, with each set including a bowl of rice.
Muhammad Ameer said he was surprised by the response to his food, which even attracted non-Muslim customers.
“My customers have told me that my crispy fried chicken tastes similar to that of a popular fastfood chain’s,” he quipped.
The stall sells between 40 and 50 birds daily, surpassing his initial target of 35 birds.
Meanwhile, two stalls that had their snacks sold out by 7pm during a recent visit were Ubi Lambung, which offers fried sweet potatoes, and Mr Churros, featuring fried dough paired with chocolate dip.
“Our fried sweet potatoes are crispy on the outside, soft on the inside,” said Ubi Lambung trader Mohamad Saiful Mohamad.
“They come in different flavours such as pandan, beetroot and pumpkin.”
Prices range between RM5 and RM13 for a bag of 10 to 35 pieces.
Trader Wan Aiman Wan Haidar said the Mr Churros’ brand franchiser had introduced a new onde-onde chocolate dip for Ramadan.
“One bag of churros comes with a dip.
“We offer four types of dips, with the most popular flavour being the milk chocolate.
“Children and adults alike enjoy our freshly prepared churros,” he said.
One set comprising eight pieces of churros and a chocolate dip costs RM7.
