THE long-standing issue of unlicensed roadside hawker stalls in Simpang Ampat is expected to come to an end soon as the Penang government today announced that new platforms will be prepared to ensure smooth, safe and organised operations there.
The Seberang Perai City Council (MBSP) will be allocating RM693,000 to upgrade two spaces at Taman Merak and Taman Puteri Gunung in the south Seberang Perai district to make way for the hawkers there to operate their businesses in a rather organised manner.
It is also learnt that unlicensed hawkers are scattered across the vicinity.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow had earlier visited the first proposed site at Taman Merak, where he also held a brief media conference before greeting some of the hawkers who were present there.
“After numerous compounds were issued for the hawkers by enforcement officers in the past, this issue remains unsolved.
“Hence, MBSP has decided to upgrade and provide an organised platform for these hawkers to operate their businesses.
“Contractors have been appointed to undertake these projects, and works are expected to start on Aug 1 this year and slated for completion on Feb 12, 2024.
“Once completed, these two locations will be able to accommodate 80 hawkers to operate their businesses.
“This is part of our objective to ensure these hawkers, although unlicensed for a long time, to finally not only have licences but to run their operations under a comfortable, safe and organised manner,” Chow said during the media conference.
Some of the works that will be carried out include installing 10×10-sized roofs, concrete tiles, upgrading the drains and preparing car park lots for customers.
Later, Chow and his entourage visited the second proposed site at Taman Puteri Gunung.
As a breakdown, the scheduled works are expected to cost RM456,000 at Taman Merak and RM237,000 at Taman Puteri Gunung.
Also present during the visits were former Bukit Tambun assemblyman Goh Choon Aik and MBSP mayor Datuk Azhar Arshad.
Story by Kevin Vimal and Riadz Akmal
Pix by Ahmad Adil Muhammad and Muhamad Amir Mersyad
Video by Alissala Thian and Noor Siti Nabilah Noorazis