GEORGE TOWN – “If we could have at least a table for two allowed to be set up outside our hawker stall, we will be able to keep our business alive.”
This was the plea of most food hawkers at the once-popular food joint in Gurney Drive here.
They say that allowing one table for two customers to dine in could significantly alleviate their current struggle in the second movement control order (MCO) period.
Rojak-seller Tan Swee Hoe, 59, said business has been tough for him in the MCO, and those who come by to order takeaways are either regulars or food couriers.
He said it would be more convenient for both the hawkers and their customers if they could have just one table and two seats for dine-in purposes.
“Having a table means that we can easily dish out our food right in front of the table and customers can enjoy them on the spot,” he said.
Tan added that, last month, when Penang was in the recovery phase of the MCO (RMCO), business was much better as their target customers are tourists.
“Now that we are back to the MCO, with interstate travels restricted and dine-in not allowed, all we can do is just hope and pray for the best.”
He said there are around 111 hawker stalls in the Gurney Drive food joint and, if not for the MCO, at least 40 stalls would be open on a regular Friday.
However, a check at the hawker centre here yesterday found that only six stalls were operational.
Meanwhile, pasembur rojak stall owner P. Devi, 40, said she wishes the pandemic will be over and the MCO lifted soon so that her business, which she operates with her husband, M. Raja, 45, can go back to normal.
She said last month, during the month-long school holidays, their business was doing well and they were able to earn between RM800 and RM1,000 on weekends.
“Now, we literally do not get any customers, not even from food-delivery services. Just last week when we were operating from Friday until Sunday, we could not even sell one dish for three days straight.”
She said that it was the first time this had ever happened to them since they started their pasembur rojak business about 28 years ago.
She hoped that the government could consider allowing hawkers to set up a table for two to dine in, just so they can keep their business going through these tough times.
“Not only would it be a fast and convenient service for the sellers, but customers can also enjoy the ambience here as well,” she said.
On Thursday, Senior Minister (Security) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob had announced that eateries and restaurants are allowed to operate until 10pm, effective yesterday.
A muar chee stall owner, who wished to be referred as Miss Lai, said that the operating hours extension is a step forward for hawkers.
The 51-year-old said that this will give customers more time to order takeout for dinner.
“When we had to close our stall early at 7.30pm, most people were just getting ready to go home and had no time to order takeaways for dinner, so the extension does give extra breathing room for both hawkers and customers.” – Bernama, January 23, 2021
