From EVs to belacan: Business booming once again at annual bazaar

Tens of thousands of Umno members gathered at the party headquarters in downtown Kuala Lumpur this year have another reason to cheer, apart from last weekend's resounding by-election victory in Kelantan: The familiar and tempting sight of stalls selling tasty local delicacies, clothing, trinkets and even cars.

- Lu Wei Hoong

The bustling ground floor of the World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur (WTCKL) has been filled with over a hundred stalls and booths from day one of the Umno annual general assembly, which runs from Aug 21 to 24.

Here, one can gawk at Chinese automaker BYD's electric vehicles (EVs) nothing here priced under six figures browse traditional Malay outfits and matching accessories, or stock up on funky fermented condiments like belacan and cincalok from RM8 (S$2).

Among the booths thronged by shoppers are also those set up by government agencies, mostly led by Umno ministers or deputy ministers. These information counters offer assistance on obtaining microloans or grants and other public services.

As it stands, the number of stalls falls short of pre-2018 times when all four floors of the building would be occupied. Umno's headquarters is located in the 38-storey tower above the cavernous halls that also houses government agencies.