SINCE the reimplementation of the movement control order (MCO 2.0) on Jan 13, the livelihoods of many have been impacted but for newspaper vendors, their businesses have been struggling even way before the Covid-19 pandemic.
During an interview with the Buletin Mutiara team, two newspaper vendors in Butterworth shared their worsening plights.
Mohd Salim Khan Mohd Ali, 45, said the drop in the sales is due to the decline in the circulation and readership of print newspapers in recent times.
“The readers nowadays have opted to read news online, as it is a fast way of obtaining information as well as cost-saving.
“Previously, we used to sell hundreds of newspaper copies per day, but now it has dropped drastically.
“When we are unable to sell out the newspapers, we have to bear the cost of those unsold copies.
“For instance, if we take 50 copies from the supplier, only 10 percent can be returned if they remain unsold,” said Mohd Salim.
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Being the third-generation owner of the outlet, Mohd Salim said the business has now evolved to selling of groceries.
“Our shop has been in existence for more than 70 years as this is a family run business. Selling newspapers was our core business during my father and grandfather’s era.
“We were the main supplier of newspapers to the government offices in Butterworth, but not during my time.
“Now, I am also selling some grocery items here at the shop,” added Mohd Salim, whose shop is located in Jalan Telaga Air.
Apart from that, Mohd Salim said he had received the financial aid given by state government under its economic stimulus package for small traders in 2020.
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“Last year, I received RM500 from the state government, and I would like to extend my appreciation to them for the assistance.
“I hope the state would announce a similar form of assistance this year to benefit vendors like me,” added Mohd Salim.
Another newspaper vendor, P. Arumugam, 59, also expressed hopes that the state government would look into their plights.
“It is quite difficult for us to sustain the business with less income. We need other source of income,” said Arumugam, who distributes newspapers at nearby residential areas as well as to schools and government offices.
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“I normally distribute newspapers to 600 customers at the Bagan Ajam and Telok Air Tawar neighbourhood but now it has reduced to 400 people.
“The sales in my shop have also dropped by almost 50 percent due to the MCO. I do not have any other options other than to keep pressing on,” said Arumugam, who also sells confectionery.
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While many are choosing online news over print newspapers, there are readers who still prefer reading news the conventional way.
Chairman of Persatuan Tamilavel Ko Sarangabani JM Purushothaman, 70, said he is still in favour of reading the print newspaper.
“I have my concern over the growth and conservation of Tamil language; thus I still buy Tamil daily so as to contribute in preserving the language.
“I do buy English dailies, but the whereabouts about the Indian community in the country can be followed through Tamil newspapers.
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“So, I will keep buying newspapers regardless of the online platform for the well-being of the Tamil language and its community,” said Purushothaman, who is also the veterinary assistant at the Penang Turf Club.
Story by Tanushalini Moroter
Pix by Darwina Mohd Daud