GEORGE TOWN – Patrons to the famous Bangkok Lane Mee Goreng, or Bangkok Lane Fried Noodles, in Penang may have to look harder for the stall the next time they feel a craving for the local dish.
This is because after 76 years of operating at the same coffee shop in Pulau Tikus, owner and cook Mahboob Md Zakarih has been asked to vacate his stall from tomorrow.
A notice of less than a month was given to the 67-year-old man to move, making it difficult for him to find a new spot from which to operate.
His daughter, Sameema, said her father has been treated unfairly as the notice, which was delivered verbally, was served only on February 6.
She said her father has been paying rent of RM1,800 each month based on a gentleman’s agreement between him and the tenant of the space for the past several years.
She added that by law, a notice to vacate should be served at least three to six months prior.
“It is only humane, especially when my father is being chased out during the Covid-19 pandemic.”
The tenant could not be reached for comment, while the owner of the space is said to be corporate entity HSBC (Malaysia) Trustee Bhd.
Mahboob’s family, meanwhile, is still hoping for a solution as they prefer to stay put.
“The irony is that Mahboob’s father and the tenant’s family used to be friends who traded at the same shop since the colonial era,” said Sameema.
Pulau Tikus assemblyman Chris Lee, who tried to intervene with the move, said it is a private matter between both individuals, but has nevertheless offered an alternative to Mahboob – relocate to a new area.
Penang Heritage Council member Clement Liang said Mahboob should not be disheartened as Penangites tend to follow their favourite cook wherever he or she went.
He cited the Siam Road char koay teow seller as an example of a hawker who upgraded his stall to a coffee shop.
He said Lee should find a way to position Mahboob’s business at a better location.
“This is not a threat to the intangible heritage, but a dispute between two parties.
“We hope that they can compromise for the sake of Penang’s impressive reputation in street food.” – The Vibes, February 28, 2021
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