Kuantan folk allowed to break fast at Padang MBK 1 for first time in three years

KUANTAN: For the first time in nearly three years, the public will be allowed to break fast at Padang MBK 1 here as has been the tradition before the pandemic.

Pahang Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail (pic) said the state government had decided to allow the activity at the field in the town centre throughout the Ramadan month.

However, spots would be limited and reservations had to be made in advance on the Kuantan City Council website.

"Permission to break fast at Padang MBK 1 is given taking into account the low rate of infection in open spaces. A total of 136 lots for breaking fast are provided.

"Reservations for each lot are encouraged to be made at least three days before the breaking fast date and are subject to availability. The time period allowed is from 6pm to 8.30pm," Wan Rosdy said in a statement.

The field had become a converging point for Muslims to break fast every year before the pandemic put a stop to the activity.

Wan Rosdy said the Pahang Covid-19 Task Force Committee had also decided to allow Tarawih prayers up to 20 rakaat (series of movements during prayer) in mosques and surau in the state during Ramadan.

Breaking fast, moreh and sahur activities as well as worshipping programmes such as qiamullail and tadarus al-Quran were also allowed, he said.

"Besides that, the state government also decided to give permission for the operation of Ramadan markets and Aidilfitri bazaars.

"Business hours for Ramadan market activities are from 3pm to 8pm while for Aidilfitri bazaars, it is from noon to midnight, subject to the local authorities' authorisation," said Wan Rosdy.

All traders, employees and customers, he said, must have complete vaccination status while those at risk such as children and senior citizens aged 70 and above were not encouraged to visit the Ramadan market and Aidilfitri bazaars.

Wan Rosdy said all traders were encouraged to provide and offer alternative methods of cashless payment to speed up transactions, reduce contact and avoid congestion at the sites.