Streets looks out for bazaars as its focus this week. A stretch at the concourse of a shopping mall has been designed to look like KL’s Jalan Masjid India. GERALD CHUAH writes.

THERE is a street with no name somewhere within a shopping mall in Subang Jaya, Selangor. Although there is no traffic here, several artificial lamp posts have been installed to give it a street-like feel.

Called Bazar Rakyat, the 30-metre stretch at the concourse of Mydin Mall at Persiaran Subang Permai is designed to mimic Jalan Masjid India in Kuala Lumpur – without the noise, heat and pollution.

SPOILT FOR CHOICE: All kinds of clothes and accessories are available in this little 'Masjid India'.

Large green-and-yellow signboards with fancy names like Anchal, Kilauan Keronsang, Pakiza Collection, Fatima Fashion, S&D Fashion, Rahsia Bidadari and Le Glamouriz adorn these shops, which line both sides of the street.

They specialise in fabric and custom-made Malay clothes for men and women. The fabrics are mostly imported from the Middle East.

Clothes are neatly hung on racks and mannequins. Colourful kain songket are folded in rectangular pieces and stacked up against the walls up to the ceiling.

In the middle of the street are push-carts selling all kinds of ornaments and handbags.

In fact, many of these Indian Muslim shops have been in business for decades before coming here when Mydin Mall shifted to the new vicinity.

If you are looking for Hari Raya clothes, this is the place. It offers a full range of fabrics, designs and colours.

Le Glamouriz shopowner Abdul Aziz Abdul Rahim from Johor Baru said there is good demand for their items, especially on weekends.

“My wife runs the business. The shop is so named because she loves glamorous things,” he said. Most of the fabrics are imported from Dubai, Singapore, Korea and Pakistan.

“Many come here to buy fabrics to tailor into shirts and dresses for weddings or special occasions” Abdul Aziz added.

Fabrics range from batik and chiffon to organza. He said songket organza is in fashion right now.

If you fancy batik clothes, then walk across to Gaya Warisan Collection just outside the street. The shop has been operating for decades and has two other outlets - in Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman, Kuala Lumpur and Kota Baru, Kelantan. They have a factory in Pasir Mas, Kelantan to manufacture all the garments. At Mydin Mall, their shop is one of the biggest, occupying three lots.

Owner Rozman Haji Ibrahim said their batik clothes are handmade. “Each piece is different, and therefore, costs more,” he said.

For Raya clothes, the design is usually standard. The only difference is the material and colour. But lately, there have been changes in taste. For example, baju kurung Riau is now popular among women, while men can opt for raihan or Chinese collars. There are also exclusive, custom-made, painted batik clothes.

Other fabrics are silk, chiffon and satin. Other items available include kain samping, selendang, baju pelawa, tudung and prayer mats. The shop also tailors clothes, but have temporarily stopped taking orders to prepare for Hari Raya.

The clothing items are priced from RM50 to RM250.

To find out more, call Gaya Warisan Collection at 03-8024-4232.