Morshidi speaking to reporters at Tua Pek Kong Corner of Good Hope.
KUCHING: Kuching North City Commission (DBKU) will refund every payment made by traders for their bazaar stall rental following the state government’s decision to disallow Ramadan bazaars this year.
Its director Dr Morshidi Ahmad said this in line with the Chief Minister’s announcement that there would be no Ramadan bazaars this year.
Morshidi said DBKU had invited traders or hawkers to register themselves and make advance payment before the Covid-19 pandemic hit Sarawak.
And to help them, he said DBKU would collaborate with Helpy, an application that the traders can use to do their businesses during Ramadan.
“We are collaborating with Helpy, with which we will register all the traders with the app free of charge.
“We are in the midst of preparation to launch the app and we will help the traders so that even though the bazaar is closed they can still do their businesses like foodpanda.
“Helpy has been used in other places by Sarawakians to do the home delivery service for them,” he told reporters after witnessing the Nyah Cemar at Tua Pekong Corner of Good Hope by the Fire and Rescue Department here yesterday.
Morshidi hoped by registering them with Helpy the traders can still do their businesses by home delivery.
He said DBKU was still working out the details with Helpy and hoped to announce the app soonest.
“All who have registered with DBKU – in Medan Niaga Satok (Kubah Ria) and Medan Niaga Semarak – this year can register for the app for free and the delivery will be done by the people who run Helpy.
“To ease their burden, registration is free of charge, and then they can get the services from the local people who created the app.”
Morshidi said almost 300 traders had registered with DBKU to operate in the Ramadan Bazaar.
Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg announced in Miri recently that the state government had made the decision not to allow Ramadan bazaars in view of the Covid-19 pandemic.
He said this was critical to ensure the safety of Sarawakians.
Federation of Chinese Associations of Kuching, Samarahan and Serian Divisions president Dato Richard Wee, state Fire and Rescue Department director Khirudin Drahman and political secretary to the chief minister Tan Kai were also present.