Fatimah prefers her Ramadan stall being managed by a bazaar organiser as it makes for easier communications.
DESPITE an increase in rates for Ramadan trading lots, Johor traders still prefer being managed by a private organiser instead of local councils.
They say the current system, where associations or non-governmental organisations (NGOs) manage festive bazaars, should remain.
Fatimah Sarudin, 36, who runs a stall at Johor Baru Ramadan Bazaar, said it was easier for traders to communicate with such organisers compared to going through officers from local councils.
“There has been an increase in the rate for stall lots but I think it is still reasonable,” she told StarMetro.
“Besides, if the rate is too high, the organisers will also lose out as they may not be able to fill up the available slots.”
She was asked whether traders were keen on following Kuala Lumpur City Hall’s (DBKL) approach of handling bazaars directly.
Echoing the sentiment, trader Ahmad Shafiq Halim, 35, said such a move would only complicate matters further.
“I think most traders still prefer the current system for now, and I personally think the rate for a trading lot at Ramadan bazaars in Johor is reasonable.
“If local councils were to manage all of the bazaars on their own, it would be too much of a burden for them.
“Traders may end up having to wait longer to complete processes or get a response for any inquiries,” he said.
Meanwhile, trader Md Izam Ibrahim, 44, who is also organiser of two Ramadan bazaars in Pasir Gudang, said it would not be easy for local councils to monitor all the traders.
“There are rules and regulations for traders when operating a stall at Ramadan bazaars.
“If they fail to comply, we as organisers will also be penalised.
“As such, I take the matter seriously and conduct regular checks to ensure traders follow these rules, including hygiene matters.
“If the local council were to take over this role completely, they would have to monitor everything on their own,” he said.
Earlier this month, Johor housing and local government committee chairman Datuk Mohd Jafni Md Shukor said he was considering following the approach taken by DBKL.
“We have been allowing NGOs and associations to manage Ramadan bazaars all this while,” he had said.
“This was not intended as a means for them to make a profit but rather to improve coordination in terms of cleanliness and other aspects.
“However, if they are found to be charging rental fees two to three times higher than usual, I will not hesitate to instruct the local councils to revoke the organiser’s permit.
“At the same time, we are considering whether to adopt DBKL’s approach in handling our bazaars,” he said.
On the lot price issue, Md Izam said organisers managing Ramadan bazaars at sites under local councils were not allowed to rent out lots beyond the ceiling price.
“Each local council has set a ceiling price, and we cannot simply increase the price as we wish.
“However, the ceiling price only involves bazaars at sites under local councils. For those set up in areas owned by private landlords, the price may be higher.
“Some organisers also prepare canopies for traders and this also contributes to the higher rentals imposed,” he added.
This year, a total of 228 bazaars were approved to operate across Johor in conjunction with Ramadan and the upcoming Hari Raya Aidilfitri.
In January, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories) Dr Zaliha Mustafa announced that DBKL would take full control of licensing and maintenance for Ramadan bazaars starting this year.
She said one of the reasons for the move was to ensure traders received fair rental rates.
