SIBU, March 30: Sibu Municipal Council (SMC) will allow petty vendors to sell flowers by the roadside around the town in view of the Ching Ming Festival, or Tomb-Sweeping Day, which is around the corner.
According to Public Health, Housing and Local Government Deputy Minister Michael Tiang, SMC fully understands that it has been the practice of petty traders to take the opportunity of Ching Ming Festival to sell flowers by the roadside to those visiting and cleaning the gravesites.
“SMC will neither issue licences for this commercial activity nor will it take action against those conducting the business by the roadside.
“This is to say, SMC will not demand these petty traders to apply for permits to sell flowers during the Ching Ming Festival or prohibit them from doing so,” said Tiang in a press statement today.
As for the recent case where several flower traders conducting business by the roadside were asked to stop trading, Tiang explained that they were told to stop operating because they were occupying the bus stop space, which had caused inconvenience to bus passengers.
Following SMC’s recent decision, Tiang reminded these business operators to be cautious when conducting such business.
“Please do not set up your stalls too near to roads. Don’t let your business operation be a cause of traffic slowdown or congestion. Also keep your place of business clean by not littering in the area,” said Tiang after meeting with SMC chairman Clarence Ting to seek clarification on the matter.
Ching Ming Festival of 2023 will be celebrated on April 5. It is a traditional festival celebrated by the Chinese community to commemorate the passing of their loved ones as well as to clean their gravesites. — DayakDaily
