By Shikin Louis
KUCHING, March 12: The much-awaited Satok Ramadan Bazaar returns today, boasting a total of 95 stalls offering a tantalizing array of dishes to mark the start of the fasting month.
Organised by the Kuching North City Commission (DBKU) in collaboration with CCK Fresh Mart, Lee Ming Press Sdn Bhd, and Media Venture Sdn Bhd, the bazaar will run from today until April 9.
Sarawak Deputy Minister of Utility and Telecommunication (MUT) Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Junaidi who is also in charge of DBKU and Islamic Affairs, said there are two more Ramadan bazaars set up by DBKU at Semarak with 45 stalls and Sukma Ria with 82 stalls, respectively.
“From the three Ramadan bazaars, we have a total of 222 vendors participating under DBKU.
“We also have a number of other Ramadan bazaars around the Kuching North area which are managed by the private sector.
“In total, we have a total of 739 vendors,” he told reporters when officiating Satok Ramadan Bazaar at the site today.
Dr Abdul Rahman further advised participating vendors to ensure cleanliness at their respective stalls throughout the Ramadan Bazaar.
He also disclosed that the vendors have been requested to undergo health screening as a prerequisite in participating in the Bazaar.
“To ensure that there would not be any issue of excess food like the previous year, we have told the vendors to control their food preparation process.
“For the first day of operation, they might not be able to read their sales but for the following days, they are asked to sell an estimated number of products that are ready to be bought by buyers on the same day.
“Health officers will conduct inspections and take action against vendors found guilty of selling stale or undercooked food,” he added.
Touching on the coming Aidilfitri Bazaars, he said DBKU will set up two of them at Satok and Plaza Merdeka, respectively.
In conjunction with the commencement of the fasting month, Hilmy also announced the postponement of DBKU’s Kuching Car Free Morning programme until May 5, 2024.
Also present were Satok assemblyman Dato Ibrahim Baki and DBKU director Mohamed Khaidir Abang. — DayakDaily
