Teh Tarik Shop Boss Behind Viral Kampong Glam Bazaar Sign Addresses ‘Religious Gaslighting’ Claims

On why he chose Ramadan as the starting point for his message, Ali said the fasting month sees a surge in bazaar activity — and friction.

“Ramadan is a time where a lot more people display their [culinary] skill sets in bazaars. It’s only recently during Ramadan that you see all these things [like negative online reviews coupled with aggrieved stall vendors] happening,” he said.

“We have to start somewhere. If I start during Hari Raya, people will ask why Hari Raya? If I start during Christmas, people will ask why Christmas? I chose to start during Ramadan where [food reviews are] at its peak.”

As for bringing religion into the message, Ali said: “If humanity fails, I feel religion has to come in.”

“Being an influencer is not the number one priority in life, it’s to be nice to people, to be kind, to spread goodness. That’s what I feel, and I always live by that motto.”

He added that he was not trying to police anyone’s views.