CHIEF Minister Chow Kon Yeow visited the popular Roti Bakar Hutton Lane in George Town on New Year’s Eve today, joining hundreds of customers to have breakfast there before he and his Padang Kota Service Centre team members distributed 2023 calendars to many of those present.
He was elated to see the crowds flocking to Penang as businesses are getting better and better with each passing day.
For 2023, he encouraged hawkers and traders to ‘jia yu’ (step on the gas) besides cautioning them to take care of workplace cleanliness and hygiene.
“As you can see, this stall attracts hundreds of customers every day, even more during the festive season and weekends.
“This is significant for local businesses to recover from the pandemic. I think most businesses had been affected during the pandemic but since the reopening of borders, most, if not all, are able to do business and attract a lot of customers in view of the fact that Penang is still one very popular tourist destination for all Malaysians.
“And you can see when we asked around just now, 90% are from outside Penang. It is the same when I visited some food courts the other day. I would also say that the majority of the patrons were from out of Penang coming here to enjoy Penang during the holidays and I hope that businesses will take care of their cleanliness and the safety of customers.
“But the fact is people still prefer to patronise roadside stalls because it has a very special feeling, and also the environment even under the hot sun.
“The long queue makes the food even more tempting … at the end of the queue, you have some good food waiting for you.
“This is all Penang can offer and we are happy that we are returning to normal. The economy and businesses are important to us.
“We hope that Penangites jia yu! (step on the gas). We can all grow together as we move into the Year 2023,” Chow said after his visit.
Chow, who is also the Batu Kawan MP and Padang Kota assemblyman, and his service team were warmly welcomed by the stall owner Ahmed Ansari Abdul Jabbar, his son AL Muhajer and Ansari’s cousin Mohamed Nasir Mohideen when they arrived around 8.30am. The service team members included the Padang Kota Service Centre director Lau Keng Ee and Padang Kota Service Centre personal assistant Johnny Chee.
The Roti Bakar Hutton Lane was established in 1957 by Ansari’s father before it was moved to its present location at Jalan Phee Choon, which is off Jalan Penang, some five to six years ago.
It is famous for its ‘roti bakar telur goyang’, ‘roti balut telur’, ‘roti bakar Georgetown’, ‘roti canai telur goyang cheese’, curry chicken, ‘nasi dalca’, half boiled eggs and ‘teh tarik’.
Many of the customers were surprised by Chow’s presence, more so when they were presented with the 2023 calendars.
They came from all over Malaysia such as Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Pahang, Johor, Kedah and Perak.
Three Thai tourists from Bangkok – W. Pattarawdee, S. Karathon and K. Prapavadee – all in their 20s, were also spotted enjoying their breakfast there.
“We are spending two days in Penang after having visited Kuala Lumpur for three days. We got to know about Roti Bakar Hutton Lane through Instagram.
“I must say we have a delicious breakfast here,” said Karathon.
Story by K.H. Ong
Pix by Ahmad Adil Muhamad
Video by Noor Siti Nabilah Noorazis