JUST like how we close a chapter of a favourite novel that we have read, the recent announcement that Popular Bookstore in Komtar is set to cease its operations this month will certainly leave fond memories among the local community here, Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said.
Regarded as Penang’s first-ever Popular Bookstore and also the first throughout Malaysia outside Kuala Lumpur, the outlet will call it day on Nov 28 after three decades of business here.
“It is unfortunate to come across the news that an outlet of this nature that has been here for 30 years, will no longer operate by the end of this month.
“That will certainly take some getting used to, but nevertheless, we take note and appreciate that the decision taken by the management must have been tough, and that it was due to unavoidable reasons.
“This is a common place where students, parents and teachers would gather to purchase school-related items, and this will be a huge miss for all of them, especially those regular customers.
“Even I have visited this bookstore frequently in the past, and every time I did, at the back of my mind, I would already know the items I was going to purchase,” Chow told Buletin Mutiara during his visit to the bookstore today.
Chow also applauded the management for responsibly making a call that existing staff at the Komtar outlet would be placed at five other operating outlets in Penang.
They are at Gurney Plaza, Lotus’s Penang, Queensbay Mall, Aeon Mall Bukit Mertajam and Sunway Carnival Mall.
“This is important so as to ensure the staff don’t lose their jobs, and that they can still generate income in order to provide for their families.
“The Penang government appreciates this move by the management,” Chow added.
Meanwhile, he also expressed hopes that the other five outlets will continue to do a good job in running their businesses.
Popular Book Sdn Bhd area manager Teh Ai Ling thanked the people for their support for the past 30 years, and that it would have been unimaginable without their presence here.
Also present during the visit were state Tourism and Creative Economy Committee chairman Yeoh Soon Hin and Komtar assemblyman Teh Lai Heng.
Story by Kevin Vimal
Pix by Ahmad Adil Muhamad
Video by Chan Kok Kuan