Rawang Trader's Prepacked Dishes Draw Ramadan Crowd

By Bernama Lifestyle Reporter

RAWANG, Feb 26 (Bernama) -- 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 here has taken a different approach — 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 for long periods or jostle in crowds while waiting for food to be scooped and packed, customers simply pick up the containers they want, priced reasonably between RM7 and RM10 each. The method also shields the food from exposure to flies and other contaminants.

Her unique concept has gone viral on social media, drawing praise from netizens who commended her initiative and described her as an honest trader.

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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 of selling 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 take care of what people consume,” she said.

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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 admitted she did not expect the concept to attract such widespread attention. However, after photos of her stall went viral, sales surged, with her daily use of raw beef now reaching almost 40 kilogrammes, compared with about 20 kilogrammes on the first day of business this 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.

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“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 wished 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 more like home-cooked meals and are not overly modified, which makes them delicious,” he said.

-- BERNAMA

Ramadan, bazaar, Rawang, trader, container, trend