SMC committee to decide on case of trader selling live poultry at Sibu Central Market

SIBU: Sibu Municipal Council’s (SMC) Hawkers Selection Committee will make a recommendation during the coming full council meeting on the case of a trader selling live poultry at Sibu Central Market.

Selling of live poultry is strictly prohibited at SMC’s markets since the imposition of the Movement Control Order ( MCO), stressed SMC Market and Petty Traders Standing Committee chairman councillor Albert Tiang.

He recalled that this trader had been slapped with three compounds thus far this year – in May, June and Aug – for selling live poultry at the central market.

The trader had been informed of the committee’s decision after the meeting yesterday to investigate the allegation that the council’s enforcement had ‘ threatened’ her with termination of licence if she wanted to reclaim the five ‘ missing ducklings’ impounded together with four chickens, Tiang added.

He was asked on the outcome of the meeting chaired by SMC Hawkers Selection Committee chairman Siaw Sing Tong to resolve the dispute.

“We will bring this matter for deliberation during the coming full council meeting for further decision on the matter,” Tiang said.

Earlier during the meeting, the trader had dismissed the allegation that she had been ‘ threatened’ with termination of licence by council enforcement, he said.

According to Tiang, the enforcement personnel, on the other hand, clarified that they merely mentioned to her that upon issuance of the third compound, she might risk losing her licence.

On the ‘ missing ducklings’, she later revealed that she did not check thoroughly that all the ducklings were inside the box, Tiang informed.

“Then, there was also some disputes over the number of chickens that had been impounded. During the meeting, she claimed to have five chickens but the enforcement personnel recalled that a neighbouring trader, who made the complaint, saw her selling one chicken to a customer.

“So, the enforcement only impounded four chickens. She just kept quiet after the explanation from the enforcement personnel.

“The trader had obviously flouted the prohibition as she had sold a live chicken when such activity is still prohibited,” he pointed out.

Earlier, Tiang said the council had received a complaint from a trader that the lady was selling live poultry at the central market on Aug 21.

Coincidentally, the council’s enforcement team was on a routine check at the central market and immediately acted on the complaint, he related.

“We consider the case as closed and will await the council’s decision on the matter,” he said.