Youths urged to consider working as hawkers
SIBU: Youths are encouraged to carry on the tradition of being hawkers so as to inject new blood into this line of business.
In giving this encouragement, Minister of International Trade and E- Commerce Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh said the young generation have more creative and innovative ideas to improve and upgrade this kind of business.
“The hawkers play an important role in the daily consumption of food among the people. They are also in the frontlines of knowing the economic situation in the market,” he said when addressing the audience as guest- of-honour at the 44th installation of the United Hawkers of Sibu Division and Meradong District Association Sarawak held at a hotel here on Saturday night.
Chiong Siong Nguong who was installed for his sixth term as the association’s chairman for the 2017– 2018 term led his executive committee in the swearingin ceremony before Wong and Sarawak Federation of Petty Traders and Hawkers Association president, Kapitan Lim Sing Kee.
Wong, who is also the Second Finance Minister said the state government was very considerate and friendly towards petty traders and hawkers.
For example, he pointed out, Sibu Municipal Council has set up a conducive and good central market in Sibu for the benefits of the hawkers.
He said he has visited hawker centres in the state to meet the respective hawker representatives to obtain feedback in further improving their business.
He said it was important that the hawkers should cooperate with the government for the benefit of all.
W hen making any decision, the state government through its various agencies would always take into the consideration the interests of the administration, businesses and the public, Wong said.
“As a responsible government, we will look after not only the interest of hawkers but the overall society. When making certain regulations, we should take into consideration, for instance hawker business development and town planning so as benefit everyone and not neglect others,” he pointed out.
Wong later announced a grant of RM10,000 for the association to run its activities.
Earlier, Chiong who also spoke at the function, said he should have stepped down as his age was already catching up with him.
However, due to repeated and insistent requests from many members, he had no choice but to take up the role and he said he would try to do his best to serve their interests and look after their welfare to the best of his ability.
He also expressed his gratitude to the Sibu Municipal Council for been considerate and taking care of the interests of the hawkers and petty traders.
“We will always give our full cooperation to the authority concerned towards a win-win situation,” he added.