KUALA LUMPUR: The Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs (KPDNHEP) will be engaging local authorities in ensuring compliance with the standard operating procedures (SOP) of Ramadan bazaars throughout the fasting month which will begin on April 13.

Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi said apart from the regular enforcement in terms of prices, the ministry would also work together to ensure that the public would adhere to the SOP, such as the wearing of face masks and maintaining physical distancing.

"It is because we do not want the Ramadan bazaar to trigger a new COVID-19 cluster," he told a press conference after officiating the Malaysia Sales Programme (PJM) 2021 in conjunction with Jom Shopping Raya at the Jakel Textile Centre here today.

The government had previously announced that Ramadan bazaars nationwide would be allowed to operate this year in accordance with strict SOP to be set by their respective local authorities.

On the PJM 2021, he said the second edition of the programme aimed to record a total sales of RM120 billion.

The target, he said, was realistic based on the success of PJM 2020 which recorded a total sales of RM135.9 billion.

"For this edition, it focuses on the biggest festival segments in Malaysia, namely Hari Raya, Gawai and Kaamatan Festival, National Day and Malaysia Day, Deepavali and Christmas," he added.

-- BERNAMA