Ho (front fourth right) presents the book ‘Malaysia’s 100 Leading Coffee Shops and Restaurants’ to Jamit. Kapit Coffee Shop and Restaurant Owners’ Association adviser Larry Sng is at front third left while Temenggong Tan Kian Hoo is at front second right.
KAPIT: Coffee shop operators nationwide are expecting a tough year ahead.
Malaysia Singapore Coffee Shop Proprietors’ General Association president Ho Su Mong said there are uncertain times ahead due to the economic slowdown.
“The spiralling effect of the ringgit’s devaluation against foreign currencies, suppliers, high cost of living, drastic increase in the operation costs and also to face the sometimes harsh by-laws imposed by the local government. All these contribute to hardship and business volume decline,” he said on Friday during the Kapit Coffee Shop and Restaurant Owners’ Association annual gathering.
He said it is crucial for affiliated associations nationwide to give full support to the national body.
“Cooperation and unity will strengthen our association. Only then our voices can be heard when dealing with local government or suppliers,” he said.
Ho cited the by-law requiring applications to display and sell tobacco and cigarette products in coffee shops and restaurants as among the challenges faced by members.
“We hope the government will focus on pre-emptive measures to improve our economic (performance). It’s important to create more job opportunities so that our people are employed. Also the government should take measures to prevent the ringgit’s further devaluation as that would adversely affect our quality of standard of living,” he added.
Meanwhile, Kapit Coffee Shop and Restaurant Owners’ Association chairman Ngu Tze Kiong said 2015 was a fruitful year in which the association successfully carried up several community activities.
As part of the association’s corporate social responsibility, Ngu said donations were made to the Nepal Earthquake Fund through the Malaysian Red Crescent Kapit chapter, SJK Hock Lam, Kapit and SJK Hin Hwa, Song, while regular blood drives were also held.