Malaysian Association of Malay Hawkers and Small Businessmen secretary-general  Mohamed Zamri Mohammed said they had predicted crowds at certain bazaars but customers were not following rules, despite the set SOPs.

Although designated entrances and exits have been set up, customers “are coming from all sides, crowding the place unnecessarily”, he told FMT.

His comments come after photos of crowded bazaars with low levels of compliance went viral over the last two days. Some of these bazaars were in Putrajaya, Melaka, Kuala Selangor, Penang and Kedah.

The recent spike in the number of Covid-19 cases in the country has also raised fears about these Ramadan bazaars. Today alone, there were 2,551 new cases.

Zamri said the organisers of the bazaars comply with the SOPs, but as the bazaars are held in open spaces with all sides open to crowds, stricter enforcement is needed to ensure that people toe the line.

Health expert Dr Lee Boon Chye, however, said there was a way to control the crowd.

He suggested that local authorities cut the number of traders to half and place them elsewhere, adding that it would then be easier for enforcement teams to control the crowd.

Lee added that more smaller-sized bazaars should be opened in different places to avoid large crowds gathering in one place.

“The lots should also be placed farther apart,” he told FMT, adding that it would then be easier for the enforcement team to monitor the crowd.

The PKR MP added that local authorities should have come up with a better design to encourage one-way traffic at the lots.

“New thinking is needed to stop overcrowding and illegal crossing into the bazaars,” he added and cautioned of a hike in Covid-19 cases if the crowd was not controlled.

Cases have breached the 2,000-mark for two days running. Malaysia has had two lockdowns from March to May last year and January to March this year.

Muslims celebrate Hari Raya Aidilfitri on May 13.

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