GEORGE TOWN – There is no compulsion for poultry traders in Penang to obtain their supplies from the Penang Island City Council’s (MBPP) chicken storage and distribution centre in Batu Lanchang.
MBPP said in a statement that the construction of the centre is aimed to ensure a fresh and safe supply of clean chicken with Veterinary Health Mark (VHM) certification.
It said the traders can also opt to acquire from their own suppliers.
The statement said the construction of the centre is also in line with the policy set by the Housing and Local Government Ministry in April 2006.
The policy does not allow chicken and duck slaughtering in markets within the local authority area.
“To facilitate the implementation of this policy, MBPP plans to build a chicken storage and distribution centre in Batu Lanchang, with the project awarded to a local company through an open tender.
“The provision of this centre will ensure that the supply of clean chicken is fresh and safe, with VHM certification.”
On Monday, The Vibes reported that the Federation of Penang Chicken Traders alleged that all chicken supplies on the island will be monopolised by a Singapore-based company from March.
Its chairman Azizur Rahman said the directive by MBPP in December will have a big impact on chicken sales, as it bars the slaughter of chickens in public markets.
MBPP explained that the chickens from the storage centre will be sold to consumers within 24 hours after the slaughter process.
It said that it has conducted many sessions involving the management, with a dialogue session held with 175 poultry traders to provide information and clarify the policy’s implementation.
“The cost of a suitable freezer used is about RM3,000 to keep fresh chicken in the market,” it said.
“Although traders have to bear the cost of buying or renting a chiller, MBPP will bear the cost of upgrading chicken stalls according to the needs of traders and also the cost of wiring for the purpose of using this freezer.” – The Vibes, January 13, 2021
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