THE Penang Island City Council (MBPP) has advised hawkers to ignore a viral message going round through WhatsApp that a new night market would be held in the Datok Keramat area.
MBPP alternate chairman for public health and licensing standing committee Wong Yuee Harng said MBPP had so far not received any application for any night market of late.
“The last night market we approved recently was the food truck night market in Batu Lancang. We don’t want the hawkers to be misled,” Wong told a press conference at the City Hall in Esplanade today.
“We have received many enquiries from hawkers regarding a new market that would be hosted by a certain party by the end of June. It is said to be in the Datok Keramat area. This is a rumour.
‘If they take part in illegal night market, they will be issued compounds by MBPP or even have their stalls seized by enforcement officers.”
He urged hawkers to check with MBPP on the legitimacy of any market, adding that there are now 38 night markets permitted to operate by MBPP so far.
Wong stressed that organisers of night market, morning market, weekened market or farmers’ market on private or public area must obtain permission from MBPP.
He said MBPP would only consider requests to hold them from Village Community Management Council (MPKK), resident associations or Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority.
“MBPP will refer every application to the district office, police, Public Works Department and MBPP technical committee for review,” Wong said.
“The licence fee for each hawker is RM36 per year. MBPP can revoke the licence of those who flout the rules. MBPP also reserves the right to close any market or change its location.”
Also present at the press conference were MBPP councillors Harvindar Singh, Latifah Hussain, Nicholas Theng, Gerald Mak and Azahari Aris.
Story by K.H. Ong
Pix by Nur Amirah Husna