THE Penang Island City Council (MBPP) has introduced an online delivery platform to help hawkers and small-time traders operating at MBPP complexes to sell their food during this movement control order (MCO) period.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, who launched the online delivery platform, known as Jom Beli Online, or JBO@MBPP, in Komtar today said if the initiative is proven to be successful, it would be extended to help other hawkers and food operators in Penang.
Chow thanked MBPP for coming out with the initiative as many businesses are affected by the MCO.
“I think this initiative by the local council is the first in Malaysia, of course the private companies have done that as their business model.
“It’s just that the local council think that it is the right time for us to use technology to boost e-commerce and also use the payment through eWallet and other gateway.
“It is a way to promote e-commerce even during this difficult time of the MCO. MCO provides opportunities for us to tap into technology so that we can continue our daily lives with the least disruption,” Chow told a press conference at Komtar today. His speech was also carried live via MBPP Facebook.
For now, MBPP’s food delivery partner is DeliverEat but Chow added that if the response is good, others like GrabFood and food panda would be invited to become MBPP partners.
“If it is successful, more delivery companies will come in and they will have their own network so that consumers can make use of this platform, especially during this MCO period, for them to continue to enjoy Penang hawker food.
“This technology has existed before the MCO and will surely go on after the MCO.
“So, during this time, using technology is encouraged. The MBPP and the state government will announce other initiatives,” Chow said.
MBPP has not allowed Ramadan bazaar to operate this year in the light of increasing Covid-19 cases.
Chow said MBPP is now talking to the 27 Ramadan operators to help them deliver their food right to the doorsteps of the customers.
“Small traders want to continue their livelihood and consumers want food for the breaking of fast during the Ramadan period.
“I think they can ride on this platform and consumers can book their Ramadan goodies for their breaking of fast through this platform.”
During the live broadcast, Chow was asked about delivery of groceries and the participation of other hawkers via the MBPP online platform.
He said MBPP would need to let the system run for a few days first and then gauge it before involving more traders in the second or third phases.
As for delivery of groceries, Chow believes that there are many delivery companies in Penang that can support this initiative.
MBPP mayor Datuk Yew Tung Seang said regardless of whether hawkers are IT savvy or not, they could take part in the initiative.
He said MBPP hopes to engage more layers of society to use the digital platform to raise efficiency, which is in line with the state’s aspiration of making Penang a green and smart state.
“It is user-friendly. Just go to the MBPP website and click on the JBO@MBPP and it will lead you to the online food delivery service,” Yew explained.
“We invite the hawkers to come on board. At the same time, we invite the 27 pasar Ramadan organisers on the island and public market stalls to also register with JBO@MBPP.”
Yew said at this stage, food would be delivered within a seven-kilometre radius and within 45 minutes.
He added that if any seal is found broken from the food package, the food package could be returned to the food delivery agent.
The hawkers, he said, would receive their payment within three days.
Asked whether the self-employed, like those who make cakes, could take part in the initiative, Yew said they could contact the MBPP hotline and would be advised on how to apply for licence first.
Those MBPP hawkers interested in the initiative can register via the link https://forms.gle/3aqSVLooe64KAXCP9.
Also present at the press conference were state executive councillor Jagdeep Singh Deo and MBPP secretary Datuk Addnan Mohd Razali.
Story by K.H. Ong
Pix by Chan Kok Kuan
Video by Alvie Cheng