Ramadan Bazaar Winds Down Ahead of Hari Raya

29 March 2025

KOTA KINABALU: As the holy month of Ramadan enters its final days, the once-bustling Ramadan Bazaar at University Utama Square (UUS) in Telipok is beginning to quieten down.

Many vendors and customers have started returning to their hometowns in preparation for the upcoming Hari Raya celebrations. What was once a lively marketplace filled with eager shoppers is now seeing a decline in foot traffic, with fewer visitors as city dwellers depart for the festive period.

The usual after-work and pre-iftar crowds have thinned, leaving mainly local residents of Telipok to enjoy the remaining stalls. A walk through the bazaar reveals vacant spaces where traders have already packed up and left.

However, some vendors continue to operate, particularly those residing in Telipok who are able to extend their business for a few more days.

Nur Erah Natasah, a stall owner who has been selling Penang Laksa and traditional kuih-muih since the start of Ramadan, has observed a noticeable decrease in visitors over the weekend.

"The number of customers has dropped," said Nur Erah, a Tawau native. "I'm still running my stall because I need to wait for some of my family members to finish work before the Hari Raya holiday begins so we can travel home."

She added that her family plans to leave for Tawau on the morning of Raya, allowing her to keep the stall open a little longer.

Meanwhile, customers are making the most of the bazaar’s final days. One visitor, Mazlina, expressed her excitement at savouring her favourite dishes before the stalls close.

"I'm taking this opportunity to buy my favourite bazaar food, grilled fish and kuih-muih, before it shuts tomorrow," she said.

As the Ramadan Bazaar at UUS Square wraps up for the season, vendors and visitors alike look forward to its return next year, bringing back the familiar sights, flavours, and traditions of the festive month.