CHIEF Minister Chow Kon Yeow will raise traders’ appeal for lower rental rates at Seberang Jaya Market with the Seberang Perai City Council (MBSP).
Chow said traders had raised concerns about current rental rates during the Jelajah CM Chow programme today, particularly since the market tends to draw larger crowds only on weekends.
“The traders have generally raised the same issue, which is also the position of their association. They have appealed to the city council to consider reducing the rental rates,” he said.
Chow said stalls with grilles are currently charged a monthly rental of RM300, while open stalls are charged RM165.
He said the traders are not seeking to have their rental payments abolished, but are hoping for a modest reduction given the lower customer turnout on weekdays.
“They did not ask for a specific percentage reduction. They are simply asking for a small reduction, and the traders themselves understand that. As traders, they also have responsibilities and a role to play. They are not asking for the rental to be abolished. A reduction of a few per cent could be considered,” he said after receiving an appeal letter from the Seberang Jaya Hawkers Centre and Public Market Complex Association.
Chow said rental rates vary from one market to another depending on the type of stall and facilities provided.
As Seberang Jaya Market was newly rebuilt, he said the current rates were set by the council, but added that MBSP could examine the matter in greater detail.
Chow also explained that the market has a long history, with the previous market having operated at the site for decades before it was redeveloped.
He said the state government, together with the Penang Development Corporation (PDC), decided to rebuild the market as the old facility had become dilapidated, while also taking into consideration unlicensed traders operating outside the market.
“When the market was rebuilt, the traders were moved to the PDC site, where a temporary market was set up. It was quite a good temporary market, to the extent that some traders even said it would be better if they did not move back here,” he said.
Chow said the new market is intended to provide a more comfortable trading environment for both traders and customers, with a more spacious layout and more stalls.
However, he acknowledged that the large number of stalls, including those accommodating previously unlicensed traders, could also pose a challenge, as some were selling similar goods.
During the Jelajah CM Chow programme, Chow, together with state DAP chairman Steven Sim, Bagan Dalam assemblyman Kumaran Krishnan, Sungai Puyu assemblyman Phee Syn Tze and Pulau Tikus assemblyman Joshua Woo Sze Zeng, engaged with marketgoers and food stall patrons.
Also present were several MBSP councillors, including A. Ponnudurai, C. Linggeshwaran, Yogen Raj Thevar and Ooi Yong Wei.
“We are now resuming our programme to go to the ground to meet the people. We had about a month’s break because of the recent Negeri Sembilan state election,” Chow said.
Story by K.H. Ong
Pix by Mohamad Iqbal Hamdan
Video by Siew Chia En
