At Dataran Merdeka yesterday, city dwellers began arriving as early as 5pm, bringing along mats, food, and foldable chairs and tables.

For 22-year-old student Nur Ain Sofia Zulkarnain, breaking fast in a historic setting such as the Sultan Abdul Samad Building brought her great joy as she enjoyed a variety of dishes.

“My friends and I had planned to come here since last Ramadan, but it never happened. So today, we were determined to finally experience the vibe of breaking fast here,” she said.

Another visitor, Muhammad Azizi Azhar, 30, said a picnic-style iftar not only helps save costs but also provides an opportunity to strengthen family bonds.

“It’s difficult to get a table at restaurants during Ramadan as some require reservations. But dining here is more relaxed, and the kids can play around before breaking fast,” he said.

Meanwhile, Abdullah Hanif, 28, a Bangladeshi national, said breaking fast in Malaysia is not much different from his home country, as people in both nations are generous with sharing food.

His iftar menu included Bangladeshi favourites such as burinda (fried batter made with gram flour), piyaju (onion fritters), egg chop, and fruits.