KUALA LUMPUR – Kuala Lumpur International Airport has stirred up controversy for hosting a Ramadan bazaar, with a video of stall operators cooking out in the open, believed near the check-in area, going viral.
Promotional materials indicate that bazaars are being held at three places – KLIA, klia2 and the headquarters of national airport operator Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) – from April 13 to May 11, from 3pm to 9pm daily.
The delicacies on offer include roasted lamb, roasted chicken, biryani rice and an assortment of sweets.
The video has raised concern about whether the bazaar in KLIA is in violation of aviation safety rules.
The Vibes has reached out to MAHB and the International Civil Aviation Organisation over the matter, and is awaiting their response.
Social media users are not keen on the idea of having a Ramadan bazaar in an airport.
“They wouldn’t do this if they had brains,” said Facebook user Chan Kooi Sun.
Another netizen compared Malaysia to its southern neighbour Singapore, saying allowing such events to take place is why the former lags behind the republic.
“Why Singapore can be a world power, here’s the reason,” said Facebook user Venus Lee.
Despite Malaysian airports experiencing low traffic due to travel restrictions imposed to curb Covid-19, Facebook user Alex Chong asked if holding the bazaar is the right move.
“Fearing foreigners will carry the virus into the country, so do this (instead)?” – The Vibes, April 19, 2021
Additional reporting by Yuen Lynette
