BUKIT MERTAJAM – More than 60 Bukit Mertajam wet market traders are pleading for an opportunity to resume business despite the Seberang Prai City Council’s (MBSP) decision to recognise only licence holders.
The affected traders lost their source of income when the market in Jalan Pasar was closed on May 31 due to Covid-19 cases. It was reopened on June 10.
Poultry trader Noor Zihad Abdullah, 56, said after the market reopened, MBSP barred some operators from resuming business.
“They promised that we could return to business on June 11, but we have not been able to do so. They told us to undergo a Covid-19 test and wear a pink wristband, and we have done everything they asked. But still, we are not allowed to return to business,” he said, adding that he has been operating at the market for 31 years.
Despite a meeting with Padang Lalang assemblyman Chong Eng last Sunday, he said, she was not able to give a date for when the affected traders can restart operations.
Noor Zihad admitted that he does not have an MBSP business licence, but said this is due to government bureaucracy.
“Before the state government changed in 2008, we paid a daily rent of only RM12 to MBSP. But this is no longer how it’s done.
“We don’t even care about having to pay rent, but I beg to be allowed to do business again because this is our only source of income.”
Vegetable trader B. Muniswary, 43, said she has resorted to rationing food for her family, and is relying on her husband, who works as a lorry driver.
“I have to be thrifty because I’ve lost my source of income. If allowed to return to business, at least, I would have the financial resources and can help my husband support our family,” said the mother of four.
MBSP Mayor Datuk Rozali Mohamud said after the market was reopened, the council decided to allow only licensed tenants to conduct business there.
He said it is also working to issue permits to unlicensed traders, and has so far received 97 applications.
“The business activities carried out there previously were disorganised, causing the market to be congested and making crowd control difficult to enforce.
“So, only traders who are in MBSP’s records are considered for a permit.”
He said the council will look into offering stalls to unlicensed traders next week so that they can resume business. – The Vibes, June 22, 2021
