Malaysia is made up of three main races: Malays, Chinese and Indians. 70% of the country's population are Malays, which are mainly Muslims. Every year, Muslims celebrate Ramadan through fasting month followed by Hari Raya at the end of Ramadan. Hari Raya is as grand and well celebrated as New Years in Japan.

We will focus on Malaysia's Hari Raya and food culture along with an inside look at 2021's situation and the impact of Covid onto the food market scene in this article.

Changes in the food scene during Covid-19 are said to be
 
Let's have a brief look at the Malaysian food culture first.

※The examples provided in this article are based on personal opinions on a mid-level Malay living in the suburbs of Kuala Lumpur.
 

About Ramadan and Hari Raya

The fasting month "Ramadan" is determined by the Islamic calendar; in 2021, Ramadan was from April 13 to May 12, and the Hari Raya holiday was from May 13-14.

During the Ramadan month, healthy individuals (with exceptions of those going through pregnancies etc) would fast for a month. The daily food intake is consumed at the end of the day from sunset to dawn the following day.

During Ramadan, families enjoy a special meal every day after fasting. Free buffets are offered in mosques, while hotels offer special Ramadan buffets, and Ramadan bazaars during this limited time.

During Hari Raya (end of Ramadan), families gather around to celebrate this occasion by wearing new clothes and by inviting relatives and friends to an "open house," a home party gathering.

Usually, the highways are congested as many travel within different states to enjoy this occassion.
 

The Covid situation as of May 2021.

Depending on the Covid outcome, Malaysia has issued several nationwide or regional restrictive orders impacting social and economic activities.

The restrictive orders are issued in four levels, starting from the most severe: EMCO (Enhanced Movement Restriction Order), MCO (Movement Restriction Order), CMCO (Conditional Movement Restriction Order), and RMCO (Restriction of Movement Order for Recovery). In additon, the content of these restrictions changes frequently.

Covid infections rates are like roller coaster rides, even though it has subsided, it rose to more than 3,000 infected cases for the first time in 2 months on April 28, causing certain areas to go under MCO again, which eventually was applied to the whole country on the 12th of May. In response, many states have taken steps to halt off Ramadan bazaars. Dine-in in restaurants were also banned, forcing the cancellation of Ramadan buffets. Furthermore, the prohibition of travel between states and districts during MCO has made "balik kampung"(returning home) trips for Hari Raya impossible.
 

Restricted movement order affects onto Ramadan

Ramadan bazaar in 2019

 

Impact on families

According to our Malay staff, there were little affects onto dietary intake as most meals were home-cooked in breaking fast. We also allowed our Malay staffs to leave work earlier in order for them to prepare their meals earlier for breaking fast.

Prior to Covid, many look forward to attending and bringing food home from the Ramadan bazaar (similar to a street food market) won their way home from work which has changed drastically as many work from home nowadays. Our Malay staffs now mainly cook at home and have been more aware of food safety and hygiene.
 

Impact on cities

Delivery services have rapidly increased since the MCO implementation from 12th May as dine-in and Ramadan bazaars were stopped.

During restrictions on restaurant dine-ins, many office workers would use take-out boxes to pack lunches. During Ramadan, many non-muslims would eat outside or in a certain area of the office premises in consideration of those who were fasting.
 

Movement restrictions impact on Hari Raya

Impact on families

According to our Malays staff, Hari Raya is a well celebrated occasion where family and friends would gather to celebrate together, with many holding open houses for said gatherings.

Due to the restricted movement order from MCO, it was hard for such gatherings and meet up to celebrate the festive season together. Travel was restricted and only family members living together or relatives living in the same district were allowed to meet.
 

Impact on cities

Usually during Hari Raya, many would visit the mosque for prayers but this has been affected by Covid restrictions.

In addition, roads in the city area were hardly congested this year due to the MCO.
 

Changes in eating habits from Covid

Due to school closures from Covid, our Malay staff would home school their children. Online classes and videos are now more and more popular as in-person meetups are limited.

As more and more time is spent at home, our Malay staff are mindful of their calorie intake. Furthermore, food expenses have increased year-on-year.
 

Summary of the impact of Covid onto that Hari Raya food scene

We have summarized the impact Covid has had on Hari Raya, comparing the food scene pre and post Covid.
 

• Due to restrictions in restaurant dine-ins and cancellation of Ramadan bazaar, delivery and take-outs were more and more popular.
• As work from home increases, chances to cook at home have increased as well
• More and more are getting conscious of their health as time spend at home are getting longer and longer with the restriction in movement.

We hope this article will provide enlightment for those interested in the Malaysian food market.
 

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This article has been prepared in collaboration with ASIA INFONET (M) SDN BHD, provider in support services for food exportation from Japan. Main business profile

Consulting services for Japanese affiliated food companies in exports to Malaysia, marketing・business activity support.

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