By Ashwin Kumar
SHAH ALAM, April 8 — The Selangor government has introduced a digital platform that allows small businesses and traders to run during the fasting month of Ramadan, following the cancellation of the physical Ramadan bazaars.
Its Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari said in collaboration with Grab Malaysia, the people will not miss out on their ‘buka puasa’ dishes this coming Ramadan with the e-bazaar platform.
“With the cancellation of Ramadan bazaars, almost 17,000 traders and hawkers in the state are expected to lose their source of income. Therefore, the Selangor administration has formed an entrepreneurship ecosystem with service provider Grab Malaysia.
“The digital platform, dubbed as E-Bazar Ramadan Selangor Grab, would allow traders to earn an income during the Ramadan month,” he said in a statement today.
Using the Grab application, the concept of the online bazaar allows customers to order their food online and vendors are required to comply with food preparations guideline set by the Health Ministry.
“A total of 15 locations have been identified to be used as a central kitchen. The platform will be coordinated by Menteri Besar Selangor Incorporated (MBI Selangor) and Hijrah Selangor,” he said.
Amirudin said the strategic cooperation between the public and private sectors is much needed in facing the “new normal” that has arisen due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
On April 3, the Federal government had announced the nationwide cancellation of Ramadan bazaars.
This was after several states — Selangor, Negri Sembilan, Melaka and Terengganu — have called off the annual event at the state level in light of the Covid-19 outbreak.
