No Ramadan stalls this year? Check out the e-Bazaars

The Movement Control Order (MCO), in place since 18 March to curb the spread of Covid-19, has made life very inconvenient for regular Malaysians. We can no longer go out whenever and wherever we wish. Even when the MCO is eventually lifted, life will not return to the normal we know, but to a new normal where physical distancing must still be observed for up to a year, to be safe.

But more critical than our immediate freedom to move and gather as we like, the MCO, just like its equivalent in other countries as the world struggles to contain the pandemic, threatens the lives and livelihood of many.

There are tales of plenty of daily wage earners going hungry because they cannot work. News articles on business owners pleading to be allowed to resume operations else they would have to close shop. Restaurants and hawkers are lamenting that though they are allowed to open, business has been extremely slow; unsustainably slow.

A long list of sellers have since ventured online to sell their goods, especially food, during this time. Consumers are not only exposed to new service providers but also to new websites and portals for farmers and fishermen to sell fresh produce. E-wallets have also become increasingly accepted as people seek to minimise the handling of physical cash.

The retail landscape has changed. And for the first time since time immemorial, there will be no Ramadan bazaars this year.

But Ramadan bazaars have become so much a part of Ramadan in Malaysia. Countless small-time peddlers rely on sales during the Ramadan season to make ends meet, and there are hoards of consumers who have become accustomed to buying food from the once-a-year Ramadan stalls.

Murtabak, nasi kerabu, ayam percik, satay, roti john, laksa, aneka kuih muih... there is nothing like breaking fast with one's favourite Ramadan treats. Many non-Muslims look forward to the Ramadan bazaars too.  

So what's the next best thing? E-bazaars. The Selangor state government took the lead to set up ‘E-Bazar Ramadan Selangor-GRAB’, an online platform to help small traders generate income during Ramadan following the cancellation of Ramadan bazaar in the state. Penang state government has its Jom Beli Online (JBO) platform which assists Ramadan bazaar sellers. Facebook has numerous E-bazaar retail pages where small-time vendors could post their ads. Indeed, many platforms have popped up since MCO started.

Amidst them is one name trusted for generations -- Maybank. But wait, what has Maybank to do with food delivery?

Maybank supports local businesses under its Sama-Sama Lokal initiative. It has built a marketplace platform within its M2U website that helps the struggling hawker stalls and local grocery suppliers by connecting them to potential customers. Maybank does not own the delivery fleet for this, but works with several delivery partners to make this happen.

e-Bazaar Ramadan is the second phase of this initiative, where bazaar ramadan merchants have been partnered with so that people can enjoy ramadan treats and support the local businesses during the puasa month from the comforts of their home.

Have you ever been put off getting your favourite hawker fix delivered because the delivery charge is almost as high as the food itself?

You'll be happy to know that with Sama-Sama Lokal, Maybank will absorb the delivery fee for a distance within 10km (worth RM10) for selected locations. It also does not charge the merchants any commission either. After all, the whole aim of the Sama-Sama Lokal platform is to help merchants get more sales, not to make money for itself.

The e-Bazaar Ramadan is as a good way as any to continue the bazaar tradition during MCO.

Check out e-Bazaar Ramadan for your murtabak, laksa, nasi kukus, nasi ayam, nasi briyani, gulai lemak, rendang, burger, ayam golek, ayam percik, kuih muih, roti john, satay, popiah, otak-otak, and patin tempoyak fix, among others. The site gives comprehensive instructions on how to order (see Figure below).

There are also hundreds of vendors under its Support Lokal Hawkers page that offer an even wider selection of food -- roti chanai, nan, sushi, kari kepala ikan, pasta and many more. Free delivery (up to 10km) is available for selected merchants and locations. 

If you're looking for vegetables or flowers, you can find them under the Support Lokal Markets. Sama-Sama Lokal also supports other local businesses and health services. Do check the site out.

Amid Covid-19 and MCO, small and micro businesses are most at risk. Suffice to say that if we do not support our favourite shops/merchants during this time of trial, they may not be there when our normal life resumes.

Maybank knows that and is doing what it can to help. Its overarching message is this: "Every order can make a difference for a local business. Support your local communities, be by their side as they have been with you throughout the years."

Covid-19 has been the biggest challenge we have faced, but together, we can overcome!