THE Penang Island City Council (MBPP) has upgraded two hawker sites at the Bayan Baru parliamentary to help hawkers and traders in the area.
MBPP councillor Ahmad Azrizal Tahir said the hawker site in Jalan Kekabu could accommodate up to 14 hawkers.
“We are relocating six roadside hawkers near Taman Desa Wangsa to this site.
“The cost to set up this new hawker site is about RM180,000. We want to provide a more conducive area for the hawkers to conduct their business.
“Water and electricity supply will be installed soon, and the hawkers can start operating by end of January,” Ahmad Azrizal told reporters at the site today.
Another hawker site – TPS Lebuh batu Maung in Taman Iping – was upgraded by the MBPP, costing about RM200,000.
“The council provided new roofs and redo the piping.
“The site can accommodate 18 traders. Fourteen traders have taken up the slots to trade at the site,” he said.
Bayan Baru MP Sim Tze Tzin congratulated the local council for being proactive and helping the people who were affected.
“The Covid-19 pandemic has caused many people to lose their jobs. Their income has also been affected.
“We understand that many people would resort to doing small businesses, but we do not want them to set up stalls haphazardly, endangering road users and themselves.
“Those who wish to start a small business are advised to check with the local council to know the proper and suitable location to trade,” he said.
Penang Entrepreneurial Development, Trade and Industry Committee chairman Datuk Abdul Halim Hussain spoke about mobile marketing as the way to provide space for people to trade.
Story by Christopher Tan
Pix by Alissala Thian