ONE FOR THE ALBUM: Chan (seated middle) with the hawkers prior to the start of the dialogue. Councillor Tan Kai is seated left.
KUCHING: Repeat offenders may have their licences revoked.
Kuching City South Council (MBKS) hawkers given to unhygienic practices may face closure and have their licences revoked.
Kuching City South mayor James Chan assured that the council was constantly on the ground to identify and grade the cleanliness of hawker stalls to prevent the breakout of pandemics.
“Cleanliness is number one and all stalls must attain the grade A rank if possible,” Chan said prior to meeting hawker committees from seven market and food centres at the MBKS headquarters yesterday.
He said MBKS had been lenient in not issuing compounds to offenders.
“However, we may resort to close down the stalls of repeat offenders,” Chan said, stressing the council’s serious view on health, especially during the current HFMD pandemic.
Chan said since the cleanliness routine was carried out by the operators themselves, MBKS would help them by providing water.
The mayor encouraged food operators to wear gloves when handling food and practise basic hygiene.
He revealed that the cleanliness of food stalls and outlets were graded A (excellent), B or C.
Hawker committees are encouraged to work hand-in-hand with the council to grade and oversee their market.
“Today, people cannot rely on the council alone, that is why we are pushing for the ‘My City, My Home’ concept,” Chan said, adding that a sense of responsibility and teamwork could be forged between the people and MBKS.
He said the meeting yesterday was a channel for the hawker committee to voice their grouses and give ideas for improvements in all aspects.
Yesterday’s meeting was attended by committees from Stutong community market, Petanak market, Kenyalang market, Kenyalang food centre, Pending seafood market, Batu Lintang hawker centre and Hui Sing hawker stalls.