The bustling SIC Ramadan bazaar on weekends. — Photos: SHAARI CHEMAT and SAMUEL ONG/The Star
Visitors get to watch live track testing while getting food at SIC
A RAMADAN bazaar held at an iconic destination can be a unique experience for traders and visitors.
The Petronas Sepang International Circuit (SIC) in Selangor, famous for hosting motorsport events, is one of 11 locations for this year’s Sepang Municipal Council (MPSepang) Ramadan bazaars.
The venue features 58 stalls that offer a wide variety of dishes.
Visiting the bazaar, StarMetro found it busy on weekends and slow on weekdays.
However, the traders seem to have expected the situation.
First-time trader Muhammad Hidir Omar, 30, said he had wanted a chance to do business at a bazaar that would not be overwhelmed with customers.
With aims of opening his own food stall soon, Muhammad Hidir said he was being trained at the SIC bazaar by his sister-in-law to sell Nasi Kerabu and Laksam.
Mohamad Haziq and his family breaking fast under canopies.
“I resigned from my job in the hospitality line to start a food stall.
“This bazaar is a good place for me to learn to manage a stall,” he said.
Drinks seller Azrul Affandi Ahmad, 34, decided to set up stall at SIC to widen his customer base.
“My permanent stall is in Shah Alam. During Ramadan, I sell at a bazaar in Cyberjaya.
“There are many drinks sellers and competition is stiff there, but I am the only one who sells ice-blended avocados, a drink that I am known for.
“I want more people to come to know about my drinks and promote my stall “Lapar Ayaq”,” he said.
Azrul revealed that business was down by about 50% compared to previous years at the Cyberjaya bazaar, but said he could still make a decent profit.
However, for doughnut seller Mohd Fauzan Awang, 34, business at SIC is better than at his previous bazaar location.
Azrul and wife Nurhani Atiqah Saludin, 33, showing the avocados used to make their famous ice-blended drinks.
He had decided to try his luck at a new venue after having traded at the Ramadan bazaar in Precinct 9 of Putrajaya for the last three years.
“It turns out that business is better for me here.
“Perhaps there was too much competition in Precinct 9.
“My specialty is doughnut but I also sell popiah.
“I’ve also added a new item to my menu, called Burger Malaysia which is doing very well here,” he shared.
Visitors to the SIC bazaar seemed to be satisfied with the fare sold there.
Azwana Rusli, 41, from Puchong said there were not as many stalls as she had expected but it was sufficient for a quick meal.
“I came for work nearby and decided to grab dinner before heading home.
“I would not have come here otherwise because it is too far from where I live.
“Compared to other Ramadan bazaars, this one does not have many food choices but I managed to find something I like,” she said.
The venue also has tables and chairs under canopies for visitors to break fast.
These are located near facilities such as toilets and prayer rooms.
Among the many who had their iftar meals at SIC were Shah Alam resident Mohamad Haziq Rahman, 34, and his family.
On the first Ramadan weekend, Mohamad Haziq and his wife had dropped by the bazaar.
Watching race cars performing live track testing is a bonus for visitors to the SIC bazaar.
They found it to be an experience that they wanted their children to enjoy.
So, on the second Ramadan weekend, the couple brought along their four children between the ages of seven and 10.
“It is an opportunity for the public to see SIC.
“The bonus is that there is on-going track testing which the public can watch for free.
“It is exciting for my children because they have never seen race cars in action on the track.
“To hear the deafening roar of engines live is fun for them,” he said.
Gombak motorsport enthusiast and university student Muhammad Wan Zulhakim Md Mahadir, 21, brought along two of his friends to break fast at SIC.
“Food at Ramadan bazaars is almost the same everywhere.
“My two friends have never been here and it is a good reason to come,” he said.
Doughnut seller Mohd Fauzan is enjoying better sales at the racetrack venue.
Despite the shortcomings, MPSepang deputy president Muhamad Shah Osmin said the SIC Ramadan bazaar had been well-received overall.
“The location is far from residential areas, so the poor turnout on weekdays was expected.
“But the bazaar is still considered a success and we are indirectly promoting the landmark in Sepang,” he said during his visit to Kota Warisan Ramadan Bazaar for the launch of the state’s sustainability and no-plastic bazaar programme.
Sepang MP Datuk Aiman Athirah Sabu, who was also present at the launch, said MPSepang had distributed some 30,000 paper bags and 20,000 paper straws to all Ramadan bazaar traders in the municipality.
The Deputy Housing and Local Government Minister also commended youth organisation Pertubuhan Pemuda Gema Malaysia (Gema) on its “My Save Food” programme.
As of March 14, Gema volunteers collected some 1.6 tonnes of excess food from Ramadan bazaars and distributed it to university students as well as mosques in the municipality.
