KUCHING: The atmosphere at the Sukma Ria Ramadan Bazaar turned lively as early as 2 pm, with visitors beginning to browse for dishes to break their fast.
Organised by e-Mart Xpress Sukma Ria in collaboration with Kuching North City Commission (DBKU), the bazaar has returned this year with vendors offering a wide selection of food and beverages throughout the fasting month.
As the afternoon progressed, the main lanes of the bazaar gradually filled with people strolling from stall to stall, surveying the variety of dishes on display.
A total of 101 vendors are participating this year, comprising 77 food vendors, 16 beverage vendors and eight grilled food vendors.
The bazaar runs from Feb 19 to March 20 from 2 pm to 7 pm daily.
The opening ceremony was officiated by Datuk Sharifah Hasidah Sayeed Aman Ghazali, Deputy Minister in the Sarawak Premier’s Department (Law, MA63 and State-Federal Relations), who is also the Samariang state assemblywoman.
Also present was Kuching North Mayor, Datuk Hilmy Othman.
Sharifah Hasidah said a parking area at Dewan Serbaguna Taman Sukma had opened to help ease traffic congestion around the bazaar.
“The parking facility operates from 10 am to 10 pm, so visitors need not worry about finding a place to park when they come here,” she said.
She also said that the initiative was part of efforts to ensure comfort and safety for the public, pointing out that the bazaar offers convenience to families, especially working mothers.
“Nowadays many mothers are working, and sometimes they do not have enough time to prepare meals at home.
“With the wide variety of food available here, they do not have to worry about cooking for iftar as they can easily get different dishes at one place,” she added.
The bazaar not only provides opportunities for small and medium entrepreneurs to generate income during Ramadan, but also serves as a platform for the local community to strengthen ties.
Meanwhile, DBKU has reminded stall hawkers and visitors to maintain cleanliness throughout the bazaar’s operation period.
To promote more sustainable management, it is banking on 3R (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) practices to reduce solid waste, particularly food waste and packaging materials.
Special 3R bins and compost bins have been provided at the Sukma Ria Ramadan Bazaar as well as at other Ramadan bazaar locations to ensure waste is managed in a more systematic and environmentally friendly manner.
