Their operating costs have doubled this year, leaving at least one of them no choice but to increase rentals for the bazaar stalls by as much as 25 per cent.

Diesel prices have almost doubled since last year, making it more costly to run generators that provide electricity at the bazaar.

Private security agency Certis Cisco, which manages the road and pedestrian traffic in Geylang Serai during the month-long festivities, has increased its fees from $120,000 last year to $168,000 this year.

Two years ago, it charged $80,000.

The organisers said Certis Cisco increased its fees because of the greater demand for its services. It is also providing security services for the Formula One race next month.

There are several Hari Raya bazaars in the heartland but the one in Geylang Serai is the biggest. It stretches from the Paya Lebar MRT Station to Joo Chiat Road.

Renting a stall at the month-long event now costs from $2,000 to $10,000 compared to $2,000 to $8,000 last year.

The higher rent, coupled with rising inflation rates and economic uncertainty, has resulted in fewer vendors signing up.

So far, only 90 per cent of the bazaar's 800 stalls have found tenants.

This is in stark contrast to past years when all the stalls were snapped up at least a week before the bazaar started.

Vendors are also going for cheaper stalls instead of the more expensive and bigger ones in more prominent locations.

Baju kurung seller Khalid Mohamed Shariff, 49, is one of those vendors who are playing it safe.

For the past 30 years, he had been renting at least 12 to 14 stalls. This year, he is taking up only five.

'I have a shop in nearby Joo Chiat Complex, and I notice that people have been shopping less since inflation rates went up. So, I'm being extra careful this year,' he said.

Another problem the organisers face is the ban on outdoor cooking. This greatly affects many food stalls that sell the famous Ramly burgers and halal beef 'bak kwa' - the two most popular dishes at the bazaar, usually served piping hot.

As a result, many food stalls are still without takers, said Mr Ivan Ho, operations manager of Do and Do Trade Fair Management, which is one of the three organisers of the bazaar.

'It is difficult for food vendors if they are not allowed to cook. No one wants to buy stale, cold food,' he said.

The lukewarm response from vendors has got the organisers worried.

Said Mr Alan Toh, director of Lilian Tan Trade Fair, which is also one of the organisers: 'My company has been organising this bazaar for the past eight years. This is the worst year for our business.'

In an attempt to attract more vendors, Do and Do Trade Fair Management decided not to increase its rental charges. The move was to no avail.

Said Mr Ho: 'When there is so much uncertainty about the economy, vendors are not confident they can make money. So, some will take fewer stalls or not rent at all.'

The organisers hope that the 80 or so empty stalls will be taken up soon.

The month-long bazaar will end on the last day of Ramadan on Sept 30.

ndianah@sph.com.sg

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