KUALA LUMPUR: Low quality, high prices and poor food hygiene practice continue to leave patrons of Ramadan bazaars feeling cheated from enjoying worthy Iftar meals.
Consumers' Association of Penang (CAP) senior education officer N.V. Subbarow said the lack of enforcement against dishonesty was the main reason for the rampant situation.
While he commended the Penang mufti for highlighting the issue of selling poor quality of food, he noted that the authorities were not taking enough action resulting in irresponsible bazaar vendors getting away with mere warnings.
"The Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry (KPDN) should set up a booth at every bazaar across the country if the situation persists," said Subarrow.
He said the booth would allow consumers to report any wrongdoings on the spot, forcing traders to continuously conduct their businesses in a fair manner and not just look at ways to profit.
Following Penang mufti Datuk Seri Dr Wan Salim Wan Mohd Noor warning, traders selling overpriced and poor quality food, including spoilt ones, is haram.
Netizens are still sharing their grouses over their food purchases on social media.
Recently, a patron revealed how disappointed he was at a trader who charged him RM3 (extra) for requesting his drink without the ice cubes.
In a TikTok post, @eshamsoda noted, "I had sincere intentions to support a drink vendor at the bazaar but hmmmmm"
"This is why I am so lazy to go to the bazaar. Prices are ridiculous now," replied a user on the post, equally appalled by the incident.
Earlier in the week, another TikTok user, @alongasraf, made a list of bazaar Ramadan food hoaxes, testing the patience of online users.