The Ramadhan bazaar, open from 2pm to 7pm, continues to draw large crowds, with over 200 vendors participating this year, offering a variety of iftar delicacies.
The bazaar operates in three locations, the open area of Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium, Tutong and in the capital opposite the Royal Regalia Museum.
“Alhamdulillah, the response has been very positive this year. We also see many long-time vendors who remain active and continue their businesses, especially in the city and stadium areas,” said representative from the management team Pengiran Dr Haji Haris bin Pengiran Haji Duraman.
According to the organisers, this is the 10th year of the event, with a growing number of vendors and visitors every year.
Among the vendors is Awang Salai, a long-time participant selling food at the event since 2012. “We focus on offering a variety of dishes, including chicken, tongking, salmon and other fish. We prepare everything well in advance, weeks before Ramadhan,” said Awang Salai’s Razalina binti Haji Dullah.
In terms of logistics, the organisers have been well-prepared for the annual event. “We prepare all the food and items ahead of time, including the ingredients for chicken and tongking. We’ve been doing this from the beginning, ensuring everything runs smoothly,” he added.
Some 15 staff members are on duty to ensure the event runs smoothly, including five main management personnel, four security officers, two maintenance staff, seven cleaning workers and two night guards. The organisers have also focused on maintaining safety, managing traffic and addressing parking concerns, with designated spots available for visitors purchasing iftar meals.
As part of their environmental initiatives, the organisers encourage visitors to bring their own bags and limit the use of plastic. “We advise the public to be more aware of their environmental impact by avoiding excessive plastic usage,” said the representative.
Visitors are also advised to bring umbrellas due to the hot weather, especially in the city area. The Ramadhan bazaar remains an important gathering for the community and continues to grow in both size and popularity each year. – Fadley Faisal
