GEORGE TOWN – A world-famous asam laksa shop that has been in business for 66 years in Air Itam here, and featured as one of the best food in the world and a living heritage on CNN, sold its last bowl of the soup noodle on Monday.
Upon hearing the news that the Penang Air Itam Laksa is closing its doors, loyal customers lined the street to savour their favourite delicacy for the last time.
The movement control order (MCO) has made life difficult for hawker Ang Kak Seong, 72, whose asam laksa business began in 1955.
Besides being hit by the adverse effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, Ang is also harassed by debt collectors looking for his eldest son who owes them money.
The creditors frequent his shop to collect the money owed.
Other hawkers in this food haven also share the same fate as Ang.
Many have shut shop, despite taking their businesses online and signing up with delivery partners like GrabFood and Foodpanda.
“Demand has fallen even if there are online orders,” said Rahman Hussain, who temporarily closed his burger stall in Bayan Baru.
He said online food deliveries are unpopular, especially among the older generation who have higher purchasing power.
At Queensbay Mall, patissier Kazan Dessert by The Volcano is also closing their doors at the end of this month.
The Penang government has, so far, introduced an electricity subsidy to assist businesses during this hard time.
Same goes for the tourism sector, where such assistance has been provided to help industry players stay afloat after two previous lockdowns.
Penang Tourism and Creative Economy Committee chairman Yeoh Soon Hin said the state government will allocate a RM1 million one-off assistance to alleviate the financial burden of industry players.
“This subsidy will be given to hoteliers, travel agencies, as well as tour and theme park operators.”
Despite the aid, which comes on top of three stimulus packages previously disbursed by the federal government, hawkers and traders continue to suffer during the Covid-19 pandemic. – The Vibes, May 19, 2021
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