SIBU: The Federation of Sarawak Hawkers Association (FSHA) is very concerned with the rising cost of living, and its president Kapitan Lim Sin Khee has written to the State Secretary about it.
During the association’s 18th annual general meeting held at the Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry here yesterday, its executive officer Lim Ling Ling also said there were many issues that needed to be addressed.
She said the first issue was about big fishing vessels from foreign countries such as Thailand, Vietnam and Taiwan competing with local fishermen in tapping Malaysia’s rich marine resources, which had resulted in local consumers having to pay higher for fish.
Lim also expressed concern over the sale of cooking oil at different prices.
“A one-kg pack of cooking oil is sold for RM2.75 but at lock-up stalls in Petanak, Kuching it is at RM2.80 per pack, and RM15 per 5-kg bottle,” she lamented.
The association also wants the government to lower the water bill for hawkers.
“The minimum charge of RM45 per month for food and drinks stall operators in Petanak Market is burdensome to them.
“Similarly, it is too much for seafood stall operators and wet market hawkers to pay the minimum RM60 per month in water bill,” she added.
Lim said the association was also appealing to the government to consider giving hawkers petrol allowance of about RM300 per month.
On minimum wage of RM800 per month, Lim said this could be a problem for hawkers who needed to engage assistants.
The general meeting yesterday was declared open by Sibu Municipal Council chairman Datuk Tiong Thai King.