As the afternoon bleeds into evening, Putrajaya Ramadan bazaar comes alive, with hungry crowds weaving between stalls offering mouth-watering treats to break their fast.
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Ramadan, a month of restraint, reflection and devotion for Malaysia’s 21 million Muslims is also a time for feasting, with bazaars sprouting up nationwide, becoming community kitchens during this sacred period.
Beyond traditional fare like murtabak, roti john and kuih, newer sugar-laden delights have been gaining popularity – exacerbating health concerns in one of Asia’s most obese nations.
At the bazaar, vendors selling jars of sugary drinks – fruit juices, condensed milk-laced concoctions and vibrantly coloured syrups – acknowledge the risks but insist moderation is key.
“After a whole day of fasting, I think it’s good to have some sugar to regain energy,” Rohana Majid, a government employee, told This Week in Asia. “It’s not a daily thing, just an occasional treat.”
Doctors increasingly disagree. One in five Malaysians has diabetes, according to the health ministry, costing the healthcare system billions annually.