Around 30 percent of visitors at Ramadan bazaars under Ipoh City Council (MBI)’s administered areas failed to adhere to implemented SOPs, subsequently disregarding mandatory abidance.
According to the Mayor of Ipoh, Dato’ Rumaizi Baharin, such behaviour was not supposed to happen, given the importance of preventive steps and rules to collectively curb COVID-19 transmission.
He added that in turn, cautionary advice by on-site MBI enforcement officers on SOP non-abidance caused unease among visitors, even when it is for the common good.
“Indeed, there are certain Ramadan bazaar visitors that feel unhappy when they are lectured. Despite that, we still advise them to continue adhering to the SOPs.
“MBI enforcement officers utilise the lecture and advise approach firstly instead of issuing compounds, in which they have the right.
“Should we fail, it’s feared that the government will cancel Ramadan bazaars once and for all. However, no SOP non-compliance has been reported among stall operators so far.”
He told reporters during a media session after an aid presentation ceremony to rainstorm victims at Kampung Tasek yesterday (April 18).
Also present were the Menteri Besar of Perak, Dato’ Saarani Mohamad.
Rumaizi also mentioned that six additional enforcement officers have been stationed at Ramadan bazaars at Stadium Perak, Medan Gopeng and Taman Cempaka as a step to improve surveillance and SOP compliance.
“Each entrance path will be monitored by the officers. With the added staff, they’ll be controlling the situation around the bazaars,” he stated.
This year, 28 Ramadan bazaars are being managed by MBI, involving more than 2,000 traders.
Rosli Mansor & Chris Teh
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