BY ALEZXANDRIA KAPPLE
KUCHING: About 300 vendors are set to operate across 10 Ramadan bazaar sites in Padawan this year as the local council steps up hygiene enforcement while strengthening community-led organisation.
The Ramadan bazaars continue a community-driven initiative that has been in place since 2008 to provide organised, regulated and inclusive trading spaces throughout the fasting month.
Coordinated by the Majlis Perbandaran Padawan (MPP), the bazaars are intended to support small-scale entrepreneurs while serving as a social platform that strengthens interaction and unity among Sarawak’s multi-ethnic communities.
For 2026, four bazaar sites are managed by community organisations and six by private organisers under MPP supervision, involving an estimated 300 vendors overall across all 10 locations.
MPP chairman Tan Kai said the council remains focused on ensuring that all bazaars operate in a clean, safe and orderly manner, particularly as Ramadan bazaars attract both Muslim and non-Muslim patrons.
“All organisers and vendors must comply with council regulations, especially on food hygiene, because the food sold here is consumed by everyone,” he said.
To reinforce compliance, MPP recently conducted a semi-dialogue and briefing with the cooperation of Jabatan Agama Islam Sarawak (JAIS), the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN), and the Ministry of Health Malaysia (PKB), covering food safety, halal requirements, price control and personal hygiene.
Tan said vendors are required to attend food-handling courses and receive typhoid injections, while additional measures such as the use of mouth covers during food preparation are being encouraged to further reduce contamination risks.
He added that refresher briefings are particularly important this year as several private organisers are newcomers, making standardisation across all sites a priority.
As part of its sustainability efforts, MPP also urged vendors to participate in its used cooking oil recycling programme to prevent improper disposal that could cause drainage blockages and hygiene issues.
Central Coldstorage Kuching (CCK) Sdn Bhd returns as the main sponsor for the Padawan Ramadan bazaars this year, contributing 300 aprons and head covers to enhance hygiene and professionalism among vendors.
Tan said the continued organisation of Ramadan bazaars also reflects Sarawak’s broader commitment to social inclusivity in line with the Post-Covid-19 Development Strategy 2030.
“This is not just about Ramadan, as we support all major celebrations including Hari Raya, Chinese New Year, Christmas and Gawai to promote unity in Sarawak,” he said.
