THE Seberang Perai City Council (MBSP) is always committed to assisting hawkers and petty traders who are heavily affected during the Covid-19 pandemic.
MBSP mayor Datuk Rozali Mohamud said therefore, the city council has carried out several initiatives to help those businesses.
“As an example, for seasonal fruit sellers who include durian sellers, we have provided 25 strategic locations for them. They involve hawker and market complexes under MBSP.
“We also allow them to run their businesses in their premises without applying for the licence.
“Apart from that, MBSP is also offering them vacant stalls in our hawker and market complexes.
“The sellers can also suggest their preferred locations to be considered by the city council. If the place is suitable, we will grant them the permission. Previously, we were the ones who decided the location but now everything has changed.
“Now, they need to apply first through the city council’s website at https://www.mbsp.gov.my/
“This is important so that we can brief the sellers about the standard operating procedures (SOPs) at their premises,” Rozali said in his live interview session with Mutiara FM today.
It was also broadcast live through Mutiara FM Facebook page.
Regarding the open markets, morning markets, night markets and bazaars which were already allowed to resume operations since June 15, Rozali urged all of them to follow the SOPs.
“We have prepared the required SOPs for them to comply with.
“Although the SOPs are a bit strict, they must follow them to curb the spread of the virus.
“The same goes to the barber shops and beauty salons. The operators must abide by the SOPs as well or a stern action will be taken,” he added.
Rozali also said that MBSP is currently moving towards digitalisation in adapting to the new norm due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
“This is proven through the setup of cyber counters to encourage the Seberang Perai residents to do the necessary transactions with the city council via online to minimise human movement to control the spread of the virus.
“MBSP also conducts live Q&A sessions regularly through our official Facebook page.
“This is done as a platform for the Seberang Perai community to voice out their concerns so that the city council could find the best solution to solve them.
“So, I do encourage the Seberang Perai residents to get in touch with us through our live Q&A session where they can ask any questions and I will answer all of them,” he said, adding that the live Q&A session also is a replacement to the public town hall session held by MBSP before the pandemic.
Story by Riadz Akmal
Pix courtesy of Seberang Perai City Council