COMMENT | Be humane with our ‘kakak’ and ‘nenek’ hawkers
COMMENT | I’m not sure whether I have ever tackled the issue of illegal hawkers and petty traders here but never mind, there is always a first time.
This is prompted by a video forwarded to me yesterday by a friend which shows enforcement officers from a local council taking action against a woman hawker who, I assume, was trading illegally.
Although I believe the video is not recent as no one was wearing face masks, my concerns on the issue are the same, Covid or no Covid.
Such videos are also quite common and in almost all cases, it’s the high-handed enforcement tactics that I find worrying. This one is similar.
For one, I don’t think it is necessary to confiscate the foodstuff, tables and chairs of the traders at all. I think a compound should suffice if an offence has been committed.
While I understand the seized items may be tendered as court exhibits later, I would still urge the local councils today to act with prudence, understanding and compassion particularly during this difficult time of the pandemic...
COMMENT | I’m not sure whether I have ever tackled the issue of illegal hawkers and petty traders here but never mind, there is always a first time.
This is prompted by a video forwarded to me yesterday by a friend which shows enforcement officers from a local council taking action against a woman hawker who, I assume, was trading illegally.
Although I believe the video is not recent as no one was wearing face masks, my concerns on the issue are the same, Covid or no Covid.
Such videos are also quite common and in almost all cases, it’s the high-handed enforcement tactics that I find worrying. This one is similar.
For one, I don’t think it is necessary to confiscate the foodstuff, tables and chairs of the traders at all. I think a compound should suffice if an offence has been committed.
While I understand the seized items may be tendered as court exhibits later, I would still urge the local councils today to act with prudence, understanding and compassion particularly during this difficult time of the pandemic.
After viewing the latest video, I sent out this message to friends on my contact list which included some current and former council chairpersons, several politician friends and a state local government minister.
My message under the heading, “Such action against our ‘kakaks’ and ‘neneks’ is heartless”, reads: “Every time I view such a video forwarded to me, I find it very upsetting and disturbing.
“Why can’t the enforcement officers just allow the woman to pack her things and leave? No need to confiscate her ware. Be more humane and compassionate towards our poor ‘kakaks’ and ‘neneks’.
“They might have been stubborn and went against some local by-laws. But most are in it to survive and earn a living.
“Compare these poor wives and mothers to the daylight robbers in the corridor of power who steal with impunity and got away scot-free.
“To me, the real lawbreakers are not these hawkers, legal or illegal, but those parasites, leeches and suckers in power.
“These women who have to turn to petty hawking are probably doing so as a last resort – trying to make RM30-50 a day by selling food and beverages.
“During such trying times, the local councils should turn a blind eye as long as they are not obstructing traffic or creating a public nuisance. Viewing the video, I assume this was in an open space, either a public car park or playground.
“They are probably illegal hawkers, but I must also ask: What about the hundreds of thousands of illegals in the country? Who is responsible for bringing/allowing them in?
“Isn’t that more serious than these temporary illegal hawkers and petty traders?
“If these mothers cannot even earn something to put food on the table for their hungry kids, what do we expect them to do?
“Chances are their teenage sons may have to resort to becoming snatch-thieves then.
“This is a vicious social malaise. The local authorities should act with compassion and their enforcement officers, likewise. Don’t be so heartless.
“At least till we cross the pandemic hurdle,” I concluded.
By bringing this up, I am not encouraging people to become illegal hawkers although I must confess that I am even tempted to support illegal traders, for once.
My point is this: Let us give everyone the opportunity to make a living – the way they know best. If our ‘kakaks’ and ‘neneks’ are only good at peddling nasi lemak and kuih, let’s provide the avenue for them to do so.
Life is already very stressful for them. It’s not easy too to survive on a micro and nano business like this but they have to slog on.
There is something which we, men, must concede - mothers, wives and daughters are often the real fighters in the family. They are usually the stronger ones holding the family unit together through good and bad times.
The authorities concerned must not make life tougher for them but should instead facilitate their means to make an honest living. Be more caring and understanding with the struggling ladies over this pandemic.
I do not wish to go into the negative reports of corruption and bribery or the control of hawker licences by local warlords of some politicians. But I do hope such strong-arm activities will cease during such difficult days.
Finally, let me offer two suggestions to the local authorities to help the suffering rakyat now.
One, issue more temporary hawker licences and open more localities for pasar malam or Sunday market in the smaller towns and districts.
Two, introduce new enforcement SOPs – stop seizing the belongings of the hawkers which I feel is unnecessary.
Has any of our ‘kakaks’ been caught for selling drugs or other illicit products? I don’t think so.
So, be kind, be compassionate, be humane, please.
FRANCIS PAUL SIAH heads the Movement for Change, Sarawak (MoCS) and can be reached at sirsiah@gmail.com
The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of Malaysiakini.
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