Hawker causes stir at Penang Deepavali party

A disgruntled hawker caused a stir when he approached Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng at the state Deepavali celebration at the Esplanade yesterday.

The hawker, who does not have a licence to operate along the touristic Padang Kota Lama and was asked to leave the area, abruptly approached Lim just as he completed his speech, to hand over a memorandum.

The hawker told Lim that the memorandum contained grievances that he and a few others were facing around the area.

Lim replied that the state government is unable to assist him for that would be unjust for those who have obtained licences to operate within the vicinity, known as Medan Renong.

Lim, the DAP secretary general, however said the state was willing to “top-up” his income to RM770 if he or others were earning below that amount, in line with Penang’s AES (Agenda Ekonomi Saksama).

He told the hawker to give provide details of himself and income to Phee Boon Poh (right), who is state exco member for Health, Welfare, Caring Society and Environment.

“If you are poor, we will help you top-up your income up to RM770,” Lim told the hawker.

Lim said when he explained the matter to the hawker, he appeared to have accepted it.

“Everything was all right after that. There was no problem after that,” Lim told reporters at a press conference today.

‘No more space to trade’

Phee, who is Sungai Puyu assemblyperson, said he would meet the hawker at his office today at 2pm.

“We will provide him assistance if he is qualified,” Phee told reporters.

Phee however was uncomfortable with the method used by the hawker to abruptly approach the CM.

A group of unlicensed hawkers had been pressuring the state to allow them to trade at Medan Renong.

The Penang Municipal Council has explained that no spaces are available for more hawkers, while the licensed ones are unhappy about those without licences competing with them in the same location.

These hawkers were told that they can apply for licences to ply their trade in other locations, but they insist on trading at Padang Kota Lama.