27/02/2026

FRIDAY | FEB 27, 2026

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Food trader drawing crowds with packaging appeal

SHAH ALAM: The Selangor State Development Corporation (PKNS) has launched the Selangor Ramadan Festival 2026 (Festira 2026) at Aneka Walk in Section 14 here, bringing together more than 950 local entrepreneurs across four main locations. SA Sentral CEO Datuk Mohd Najib Ibrahim said the 12th edition of the festival is targeting three million visitors throughout its run from Jan 30 to March 20 at Kompleks PKNS Shah Alam, SACC Mall, Aneka Walk and Kompleks PKNS Bangi. “We hope traders who begin at bazaar stalls and this Fiesta Ramadan would continue to be competitive and have the opportunity to expand into Kompleks PKNS and SACC Mall,” he said at the launch of the festival. Carrying the theme“Seindah Cerita Raya Kita”, the festival features various sales categories, including Aidilfitri fashion and accessories, festive cookies and snacks, buka puasa dishes as well as daily necessities. Festira 2026, supported by strategic partners such as PKNS Super App, Lembaga Zakat Selangor, the Selangor Public Library Corporation and Bateriku.com, also features community activities that include religious events, family activities, free bubur lambuk and performances by local celebrities, Bernama reported. Mohd Najib said this year’s edition is further strengthened with the introduction of Festira+ at Aneka Walk, featuring a Raya bazaar concept set in a covered open urban space. He said the initiative not only expands the scale of the festival but also positions Aneka Walk as a key activity hub that integrates retail, Aidilfitri shopping experiences and community activities on a single platform. “This approach reflects the evolution of Festira from a seasonal sales festival into a more dynamic and high-impact urban experience,” he said. Ramadan fest to boost community activities

reasonably at between RM7 and RM10 each. The method also keeps the food from exposure to flies and other contaminants. Her unique concept has been widely shared on social media, drawing praise from netizens who commended her initiative and described her as an” honest trader”. When met by Bernama at her stall recently, the Kelantan-born entrepreneur said she introduced the pre-packed concept last year after becoming concerned about hygiene risks associated with selling food in open containers at Ramadan bazaars. “During my visits to Ramadan

bazaars in the past to buy food, I noticed the conditions that could affect cleanliness. I began to worry about potential health issues, including food poisoning. That’s when I got the idea to sell prepacked dishes. “Although the cost of using plastic containers is relatively high, hygiene remains my top priority. I believe that we must do business with good intentions and be mindful of what our customers consume,” she said. Running the business with her husband, the mother of four said their dishes sell out daily. Among the most popular items are black beef, chicken kurma , cockle sambal and keli salai lemak . She added that she did not expect the concept to attract such widespread attention. However, after photos of her stall were publicised, sales surged and her daily purchase of raw beef now reaches almost 40kg, compared with about 20kg on the first day of Ramadan. Siti Halimah said she also operates a food stall outside of Ramadan, offering set rice meals such as Nasi Arab, Nasi Hujan Panas and Nasi Beriani to customers around Rawang. “I previously ran a restaurant for seven years in Bandar Country Homes (in Rawang). After that, I chose to operate a stall instead, as it is more comfortable and the operating costs are easier to manage compared with the high expenses of renting a shop and paying workers,” she said. Meanwhile, a regular customer who requested to be known only as Musa, 75, said the packed concept is more practical during Ramadan. “It’s easier to calculate the price and the food can be stored if it’s not finished. The dishes taste like home-cooked meals and are delicious,” he said.

o Customers gushing with praise for bazaar stall operator selling buka puasa fare prepacked in hygienic plastic containers

RAWANG: While mixed rice offerings at Ramadan bazaars are usually displayed in open containers and only packed after customers make their selections, a trader in Saujana Rawang has taken a different approach by selling various types of lauk (side dishes) in sealed containers. Siti Halimah Mamat, 47, offers

nearly 40 types of dishes, packed in clear plastic containers in various sizes and each clearly labelled with prices. The system allows for a more organised and efficient purchasing process. Without having to queue or jostle in crowds while waiting for food to be packed, customers simply pick up the containers they want, priced

Siti Halimah said she started selling her dishes pre-packed due to concerns about hygiene. – BERNAMAPIC