2 Years Closed, Padang City Government Re-opens Pabukoan Market In Ramadan 2022

Illustration-Padang Bookstore Market. (Between)

PADANG - The Padang City Government has re-opened the Ramadan 1443 Hijri pabukoan market which provides a menu for breaking the fast after the last two years it was abolished due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

"After observing the development of the controlled COVID-19 case, it was decided this year the Pabukoan Market will reopen, located next to the Padang Lama City Hall, which is located on M Yamin Street," said Head of the Padang Trade Office, Andree Algamar, in Padang, Antara, Wednesday, March 30.

He conveyed that the pabukoan market would accommodate around 40 traders by implementing strict health protocols. "One of the new things from this pabukoaan market is that buyers can buy using non-cash payments, namely QRIS," he said.

According to him, the provision of non-cash payment facilities was carried out because so far cash has been referred to as a means of transmitting the virus.

He admitted that the previous two years he had not facilitated the pabukoan market due to the high rate of the spread of COVID-19. "Moreover, from the findings of the Health Office, one of the highest transmission locations is in Pasar Raya Padang," he said.

However, at this time the case has slanted so that the city government has re-opened the pabukoan market because the economy must bounce back. "But of course with limited permits and strict health protocols," he said.

He also reminded traders selling iftar menus to prioritize cleanliness and not to mix prohibited ingredients such as borax or preservatives to use clothing dyes.

"People also have to be careful in choosing a healthy menu, especially if there are foods with striking colors," he said.

When Ramadan arrives, one of the habits of Padang residents is to hunt for culinary delights to eat at iftar to relieve hunger and thirst after a full day of fasting.

A variety of appetizing menus for breaking the fast are available in full at the Pabukoan market which is only available during Ramadan.

The menus are sold starting from heavy food such as rendang, beef jerky, tunjang (kikil), grilled fish, grilled chicken. Then, special Ramadan menus such as banana compote, sweet potato compote, lemang tapai to fresh drinks, es teler, es cendol to iced seaweed are available in full.