Gerakan Lambasts Penang State Government For Moving Hawkers
11 Nov 2009, 10:00 AM
Posted in
BERNAMA.com November 10, 2009 18:23 PM
PENANG, Nov 10 (Bernama) — Penang Gerakan chairman, Datuk Dr. Teng Hock Nan, today lambasted the Penang state government for moving out hawkers at the Kebun Bunga (Penang Botanical Garden) tourist spot without due consideration for their welfare.
He said the move was not only made without discussion with the hawkers but was considered to be an unstrategic move that would not draw visitors to the new site.
He said the new stalls were built about 1km away from the original site while parking facilities were located at the old site and that led to fewer customers.
“Visitors will go directly to the garden and would only go to the hawkers’ site if necessary. Before they would visit the stalls there before proceeding to or leaving the park but now the new site is further away,” Dr Teng told reporters after visiting the new hawkers’ site.
He said the hawkers claimed that they were not consulted on the move and that state government leaders should have come to see the situation before making any plans so as not to adversely affect the hawkers’ business.
“Eventhough the new hawker stalls look nice, the hawkers are not happy as to the location and their business is affected,” he said.
Dr Teng, who was a former state executive councillor during the Barisan Nasional (BN) state adminstration, said plans were made to develop Kebun Bunga as a educational, research and botinical site.
He said according to the original plan a multi-level car park was supposed to have been built beside the new hawkers’ site and some special buildings like an information and education centre was to be built leading to Kebun Bunga’s entrance.
“I am not sure of the new state government’s plans but what is clear is that changes to the paln has created problems for the hawkers. I urge that any changes to be made should consider the people affected,” he said.
Several hawkers voiced their views on their affected income since being moved to the new site.
V.S.Arumugam, 50, who has been selling souvenirs at the old site for 18 years, claimed that he only managed to earn RM12 over three days since moving to the new site as compared to gettin RM350 daily at the old site.
Arumugam who moved to the site on Saturday said his business was very badly affected and this would have effects on his family.
“People do not know we are here and now my future is uncertain. This new government cannot do anything, just good at making promises and shadow-play,” he said.
Another hawker, Yeoh Chin Hin, 55, who sells fruits said since moving two months ago to the new site, only now the state government wanted to have a discussion.
“They should have talked to us earlier before moving us,” he said.
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3 comments, add yours
1 Frankie 12 Nov 2009, 8:16 PM
It seems like DAP is not really performing like a Cat which can catch the rats, and it’s only a pussy cat. It’s good looking from outlook but when come to governance, they behave clumsy in action and lousy in serving the people!
Probably this is the so-called swollen head syndrome due to their fathom of public opinions and perception that they are given a chance of at least two terms as the State Government, through the referendum conducted via their source!
Some people who have suffered from the arrogant pomposity of DAP goons, their 2nd grade Excos some have behaved senseless and stiff in reaction to know the grievances of the average people, by vaunting their so-called CAT governance, law by law and letting many in the street to suffer the rogue actions of MPPP! They would just pretend to be the first class law abiding officers, while in the other hand blaming the BN government of practicing high handed tactic as political witch hunts and persecution!
Kampung Buah Pala was a life example where the squatters were desperately left helpless seeing their 200 years houses being bulldozed and flattened! The old heritage shop building at the entrance of Botanical Garden is another example of blatant destruction of cultural heritage which instead should be preserved for the admiration of the foreign tourists! As Penangite, I really suspect what is the rationale behind Lim Guan Eng, an alien from Malaka, does not totally understand what Penangites treasure most, and our nostaglic assets!
This is a lesson the leadership of Dr Teng should learn, never posture to be the 2nd KTK who behaves shilly shally and too much pro-Umno, until almost all Penangites were agitated to shoot down those other service oriented Gerakaners due to not all their faults but one! Dun forget, Penang is still a China town whereby the politics should be tailored prone to capturing the Chinese sentiment as foremost importance!
Gerakan will have to work doubly hard to gain back the supports of the Chinese voters which they should start from changing themselves from within upon sincere soul searching of the failure which had been encountered in the 308 tsunami!
2 wisely 15 Nov 2009, 10:23 PM
It’s interesting to see the symbol of PRM where there’s no rocket but the moon is still there. Maybe the rocket had landed at the moon afterall. It is even more interesting to know nik aziz was suggested by zaid to be the president. PAS has it all. Zaid who loses his favour by Anwar, who still prefer to listen to Azmin for the reason only known to them. Nik Aziz 44%, Anwar 43% LKS 17% Hadi 6%. Anwar still loses by 1% according to NTV7 poll. I think anwar is not happy to hear his man suggesting NIk aziz instead of him which i believe everyone here knows why. But sad enough Nik Aziz health is not good. He is also not short of scandal with the revelation by Kickdefella over his son in law issue and now Haji thing. Seem like he also take side when come to family. Lets wait for the development.
3 Yap 16 Nov 2009, 12:43 AM
It is time for Gerakan youth to play a major part by going down to the ground to regain confidence. You still have LOTS OF SUPPORTERS waiting for their presence and dialogue. Gerakan will regain Penang from the DAPs goons if more efforts are made.
DAP has no experience in administrating Penang???