A local vendor at the Kuala Kubu Bharu Public Market in Selangor had allegedly been displaced by local authorities after he had complained about and criticised the cleanliness of the market.
According to a report by AATV News, the hawker, Mr Yap, had highlighted the issue of waste and remnants from pork stalls getting stuck and polluting the drains in the market, making the area unclean and uncomfortable for Muslim customers, who often patronise the market.
This situation had apparently gone viral online, which allegedly led the Hulu Selangor Municipal Council (MPHS) to clean up the market though the action taken was considered insufficient.
The 3rd generation vendor, whose chicken and vegetable stall was situated in between non-Halal stalls, had then asked to be moved to a Halal area; so that customers, including those from the Muslim community, could patronise his stall comfortably.
However, the local council had allegedly given him a temporary table away from the other market vendors and later allegedly chased him away.
The president of an NGO offers help
President of NGO, Nambikkai Malaysia, Dato’ Dr Kalaivanar, has since gotten involved to speak and advocate for Mr Yap.
He expressed his disappointment with not just the local authorities but also the elected representatives of the area for failing to resolve this issue and called out the DAP State Legislative Assembly (DUN) for not fulfilling their promises to help.
Dato’ Dr Kalaivanar also pointed out that the market has numerous empty stalls, yet the authorities have allegedly claimed that the market is full. He alleges that this is an attempt at revenge against Mr Yap for constantly criticising and speaking up about the lack of cleanliness of the market.
He said that although Mr Yap has often criticised the authorities, including the President (YDP) of MPHS, this criticism should not be an excuse to oppress small business owners who rely on their stalls to earn a livelihood.
Mr. Yap is said to be sharing his son’s stall at the market now while waiting for authorities to provide him with his own stall.
Dato’ Dr Kalaivanar has also submitted an official letter to the Kuala Kubu Bharu Assemblyman, Pang Sock Tao, to seek the attention of the authorities on this matter.
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Also read: 2 Local Men Arrested for Placing Pigs’ Heads in Cooking Area of Kajang Food Vendor’s Stall
