Ramadan bazaar vendors around the Sultan Muhammad IV Stadium, Kelantan have reportedly increased the prices of several dishes by between 50 sen and RM2 following the increase in the cost of raw materials.
A survey report found that a packet of gulai kawah dishes, which last year was sold for RM10, has now increased to between RM12 and RM15.
Norhasuzi Othman, 46, a lauk pauk vendor, admitted that the price of coconut milk which has soared to RM15 per kilogram has forced him to increase the price of gulai kawah by RM2.
Othman said that this year's gulai kawah is sold between RM12 and RM15 compared to RM10 last year, but loyal customers still choose his stall despite the increasing prices.
Meanwhile, Abdul Rahman Abdul Aziz, 37, a traditional cake vendor who has been in business for over 10 years, was also affected by the increase in the price of raw materials, especially eggs.
The price of sweets such as jala emas, nekbat, tahi itik and buah tanjung has now increased by around RM1 to RM2 with a pack selling for RM6.
Ahmad Naime Muhammad, 42, a government employee who often buys at the bazaar, sees the price increase this year not being that significant compared to last year.
However, when compared to two or three years ago, the prices are indeed much more expensive.
However, he admits that the Ramadan bazaar remains the main choice because the food sold is difficult to find elsewhere.
The increase in the price of Ramadan bazaar food this time poses a paradox. Although traders complain that the cost of raw materials is getting higher, the level of price increases is inconsistent and some deliberately maintain low profit margins to keep customers happy.
This situation raises the question of whether traders are really burdened or using the excuse of increasing total costs as a way to increase prices at will.
Inflationary pressure is indeed felt, but the inconsistent attitude of traders shows a lack of transparency in the bazaar price mechanism which should be more transparent and prudent.
