BINTULU: The Association of Bumiputra Hawkers and Micro-Businesses Sarawak (PKBS) and other related associations here were urged to organise more seminars, dialogues and other appropriate programmes for their members to enhance their knowledge especially in business and economic related activities.
Bintulu MP Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing said at the same time, the government would help to address their problems.
“I also hope that PKBS Bintulu will be more active in recruiting new members ..and it (the government) would help the association to hold several events for its members,” he said when officiating at the ‘Seminar Pendidikan Peniaga-peniaga Kecil Bintulu’ at Martabat Hall here yesterday.
The seminar was organised by the Ministry of Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism (MDTCC) Bintulu branch in collaboration with PKBS Bintulu.
Tiong, in the meantime, cautioned local traders given licences not to abuse them.
“Renting out your business licence to another person or to a foreign citizen is illegal. This issue had been questioned by many parties,” he said.
He also disclosed Bintulu Development Authority (BDA)’s proposal to relocate small traders and hawkers near Tamu Bintulu at a more suitable place as the current location does not have proper facilities and also causes heavy traffic congestion due to the lack of parking spaces.
“The discussion is still on-going and hopefully the hawkers will be more patient while awaiting the outcome to relocate and upgrade their place of business,” he said.
Tiong announced his personal donation of RM25,000 to PKBS Bintulu at the function.
Earlier, PKBS Bintulu chairman Mohd Ariffin Abdullah urged the local authority to provide licences and permits to small businesses so that they can enjoy the facilities provided by the government.
He said PKBS Bintulu would be more active and organised in the future thus injecting new spirit to be on par with other associations.
PKBS, established in 1974 in Kuching, has 20,000 members throughout the state while Bintulu has 380 members since its inception eight years ago.
In another development, Ariffin said PKBS is organising seminars and creating business opportunities for its members and BDA has also agreed to allocate a new business site for PKBS Bintulu.
It is also planning to build a special premises for the association for administrative purposes as well as to generate extra income.
MDTCC Bintulu branch deputy chief Muhammad Daud Ali and Mara Bintulu officer Razman Ruslan were among those present at the event.