THE ongoing Covid-19 pandemic and lockdowns have severely affected the livelihoods of many people, including hawkers and small traders.
As dine-in is still not allowed, many of them can only try to sustain their businesses through takeaways.
Their incomes have taken a dip compared to previous times even though they are permitted to continue with their businesses.
During this challenging period, many assemblymen have gone to the ground to give a helping hand.
Buletin Mutiara approached a few of them to find out the measures they are undertaking to assist the vulnerable group.
According to Batu Lancang assemblyman Ong Ah Teong, his constituency is carrying out the ‘White Flag’ campaign for three weeks.
“During the ongoing campaign, we give out free food to the needy ones.
“We hope to achieve a win-win situation during this pandemic period by purchasing food from the hawkers to boost their business and distributing them to the needy.
“The response is overwhelming as some 200 packs of food have already been given out in just 10 minutes.
“In the process, we also ensure that everyone continues to adhere to the relevant standard operating procedures (SOPs),” he told Buletin Mutiara.
Air Itam assemblyman Joseph Ng said he also assisted the traders in his constituency.
“When any organisation approaches me for any essential items, I will propose to them to obtain the items from the traders in Air Itam.
“This will indirectly help some of the affected traders to generate income during this challenging period,” he added.
On top of that, Ng pointed out that some of the Village Community Management Councils (MPKK) in his constituency have been giving out food packs to the needy constituents.
Batu Uban assemblyman A. Kumaresan said he would promote the hawkers’ businesses through his social media platform.
“Anyone who wish to buy food can proceed to the stalls. This will help the small hawkers in my constituency to earn a living.
“Besides that, I have liaised with the local authorities to give some leeway for new hawkers to operate temporarily.
“Some of them may have lost their jobs and they have resorted to become temporary hawkers,” he said.
Pulau Betong assemblyman Mohd Tuah Ismail said he had held a discussion with the local authorities, as well as state Entrepreneurial Development, Trade and Industry Committee chairman Datuk Abdul Halim Hussain to create a ‘win-win situation’ for the small traders.
“We will do the best to assist them,” he said.
Story by Edmund Lee
Pix by Law Suun Ting