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Image credit: Berita Harian

Klang’s Little India Deepavali Bazaar, an annual event that attracts shoppers in droves from other states, has been cancelled following the increase in Covid-19 cases.

Klang Municipal Council (MPK) president Dr Ahmad Fadzli Ahmad Tajuddin said it was a difficult but necessary decision to cancel the bazaar in light of the rise in the number of infections.

Annually, 143 lots are given out to traders to do business at Lorong Tingkat, Lorong Rembau and the inner lanes.

Fadzli said it was a challenging time but the way people responded to it could make a difference.

“We must keep our spirits up and continue to do business via online platforms, ” he added.

MPK, he said, had business platform Klang i-Plaza and during Ramadan, it allowed Muslim traders to sell traditional Malay cakes, daily foodstuff to break fast and even clothes online.

“Klang i-Plaza was popular and gained traction with hundreds of local entrepreneurs.

“We hope Indian traders will follow suit and sell their traditional muruku, decorative items, salwar kameez, kurtas and sarees online, ” he said.

Fadzli said MPK’s Information Technology Department had made it easy for new small business owners and entrepreneurs to trade via the platform, which offered free registration.

“The platform is designed to link business people, be it small or big entities, and like-minded people can share resources, develop plans, introduce products and grow a business, ” he added.

MPK councillor M. Nalan, who is in charge of Little India, encouraged Indian youths to go online as there were many trade opportunities there.

The council wanted these businesses to prosper in the current economic climate as small businesses made up the economic engine of Klang district, he said.

Nalan assured that the shops in Little India would be allowed to operate but must strictly follow the standard operating procedures.

Information Technology Department director Nor Hasyimah Tamziz said the online business platform reflected MPK’s commitment to give Indian entrepreneurs an avenue to advance their business.

The business platform at klangiplaza.my features a product checklist, tools and resources to enable businesses to link up.

Nor Hasyimah added that the Companies Commission of Malaysia was a hybrid partner for Klang i-Plaza, where it allowed users to register their business online with ease.

Similarly in Petaling Jaya, the Deepavali Bazaar set to take place in two locations has been moved online, through the council’s website.

Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) licensing director Sharinaz Samsudin said the city council would not proceed with the on-site bazaar as Petaling district had become a Covid-19 red zone.

The bazaar was initially planned to be held at Jalan SS9A/13, Sungei Way and Pasar Jalan Othman, with 18 stalls in each location.

MBPJ would also meet with the traders to encourage them to list their businesses on the council’s site at www.mbpj.gov.my/en/mbpj/media-centre/news/bazarpjkita, said Sharinaz.

She added that the decision was made on Wednesday after the city council consulted the Selangor government.

Source: https://www.thestar.com.my/metro/metro-news/2020/10/19/virtual-festive-fair-set-for-klang-and-pj