By Lian Cheng
KUCHING, May 13: Padungan assemblyman Chong Chieng Jen has moved a private member motion for the Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUS) to direct the Kuching South City Council (MBKS) to review the latter’s decision on the fate of a durian hawker.
In the motion of Definite Matter of Urgent Public Importance, Chong recounted the incident leading to his action.
He said on Dec 5, 2023, MBKS first issued a notice requesting a durian hawker by the name of Ignatius Anthony Ang Kai Lun to remove the sun tent erected at the Padungan Season Fruit Market (Padungan Roundabout).
“When the hawker, together with other hawkers, through my office, requested for a meeting to clarify the matter, MBKS refused to meet up,” Chong stated in the motion which he submitted to DUS Speaker Tan Sri Mohamad Asfia Awang Nassar today.
He said on May 10, 2024, Ang was served with a notice to cease trading within seven days from the date of the notice by MBKS. The alleged offence in the notice was that the hawker was “selling durian Musang King without a licence from MBKS” at the market.
To Chong, the inconsistent reasons given by MBKS in its notices ordering the cessation of trade and the non-transparent manner in the conduct of the matter smack of impropriety in the decision-making process of MBKS.
Chong claimed that the hawker has been trading there for more than ten years and selling durian, including Musang King durian, which is a seasonal fruit and has been paying MBKS’ daily licence fees up until about two months ago when MBKS without any reason, stopped collecting the licence fees.
Through years of effort, the hawker has built up a reputation, and his durian stall has now become a place of interest for tourists visiting Kuching, Chong added.
“Such an abrupt stop to his business will severely impact the hawker’s livelihood and that of his family. He is only trying to earn a living, and the authorities should not be making it so difficult and forcibly closing down his business.
“Therefore, it is moved that this house hereby resolves that MBKS be directed to review its decision to cease the trade of the hawker Ignatius Anthony Ang Kai Lun at the Padungan Season Fruit Market and to allow the said hawker to continue to carry out his trade at the market,” said Chong. — DayakDaily
