MIRI: Problems of illegal hawkers, though not very critical here, continue to be a challenge for the enforcement teams of the city council.
Mayor Lawrence Lai Yew Son said the existence of illegal hawkers in itself means a lost of revenue in rentals for the council.
“Besides, illegal hawkers deprive licensed hawkers of business as they position themselves at strategic locations thus getting customers to buy their products before even entering the market area. So strict enforcement needs to be carried out always,” Lai said during MCC’s full council meeting Friday.
Lai urged the standing committee concerned to expedite efforts in identifying a site for the new market proposed in Lutong for the resettlement of illegal hawkers.
The meeting was informed that a sum of RM4.8 million had been budgeted for the market.
The meeting also agreed to the call for the council to review facilities at all its public toilets to make them friendly to those with physical disabilities. Currently, only three out of the 20 public toilets operated by MCC are friendly to the handicapped. The three are at the Civic Centre, City Fan and Pujut Bus terminal.