Rents for Geylang Serai Ramadan bazaar in 2024 to be capped at $15k: Faishal
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The Straits Times reported in March the bazaar stallholders’ complaints about high rental costs, which excluded incidental costs and additional premiums for selling certain food items.
PHOTO: ST FILE
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SINGAPORE – Stallholders at Geylang Serai Ramadan bazaar in 2024 will have their rents capped at $15,000, Minister of State for Home Affairs and National Development Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim said on Sunday.
“For Bazaar Raya Geylang Serai 2024, we are taking steps to ensure that it is more affordable for our sellers and consumers,” Associate Professor Faishal said on Facebook.
He is the lead adviser for Wisma Geylang Serai (WGS), which is part of the People’s Association (PA) and holds the Ramadan bazaar yearly.
“This will benefit consumers by offering items which are more cost-effective.”
In response to queries from The Straits Times, a PA spokeswoman said that WGS had reviewed the feasibility of moderating the rental rates while considering market forces.
She added that the rental cap is inclusive of any exclusivity costs or premium costs.
Jointly organised by S-Lite Event Support, TLK Trade Fair and Events, as well as Enniche Global Trading, this year’s bazaar had over 700 stalls and ran from March 17 to April 21.
The Straits Times reported in March the bazaar stallholders’ complaints about high rental costs
Base rentals for the 2023 bazaar ranged from $2,000 to $19,000, while those who wanted to sell Ramly burgers had to pay a $4,000 premium.
Stallholders who sold kebabs were charged a base rental of $25,000.
All food and beverage stallholders were also subjected to incidental costs of between $30 and $3,100, including utilities, water supply, fans, coolers, as well as tables and chairs.
The organisers said then that rents were within market rates
Mr Mohamad Haikel Suhaimi, who operated a Ramly burger stall at the bazaar in 2023, said he would have to think about whether he wants to rent a stall at next year’s edition, despite the rent cap.
“The high rental cost is not the only thing that I have to consider. I have to consider electricity charges, cost of manpower for the long hours, and cost of goods as well,” he said, adding that the premiums were not part of the base rentals in 2023.
Mr Haikel said that he barely broke even in 2023, and knows of vendors who made losses.
