By Zareef Muzammil
SUBANG JAYA, April 14 — Only a few parents were spotted bringing their children below 12 years old to the Ramadan bazaars in Selangor during the first week of the fasting month.
State executive councillor for local government Ng Sze Han said that based on the surveillance by the local authority enforcement officers, the majority of the Ramadan bazaar visitors were adults.
“For example, today (yesterday), we noticed no children below 12 years old at the PUJ3/1 Ramadan bazaar in Puncak Jalil.
“I believe the issue involving children below 12 years old (going to Ramadan bazaars) only happened in certain places,” he told the media after the breaking fast event with the Ramadan bazaar traders here, yesterday.
However, Ng said the issue would still be discussed during the State Executive Council Meeting (MMKN) despite the Ramadan bazaar operation entering its second week.
He said differing opinions have to be considered before a final decision is made.
“Some people said the ban of bringing children to the bazaars would create a nuisance to the parents as they have no guardian at home, while others argue that only 10 per cent of the children in Selangor are fully vaccinated.
“Therefore, we have to consider all opinions so that we can come out with the best decision,” he said.
As of yesterday, 229,615 children aged between five and 11 years, or 6.5 per cent of this group, have been fully vaccinated under the National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme for Children (PICKids).
