The demolition of stalls which is actively going on for the past one week not only affects the income of the petty traders but also hinders economic growth in Penang.

Penang Umno Youth head Norman Zahalan said the state government should be more considerate and tolerant of the petty traders.

There were many food stalls in the state that had been demolished and it was felt that the state government appeared to be unfair in its treatment of the traders, he said in Penang today.

He said the state government led by the opposition pact should work together to raise the living standards of the people, instead they were actively demolishing the stalls.

"Previously the problem was the Ramadan Bazaar at Jalan Chowrasta and the latest is in Tanjung Bungah and Medan Ikan Bakar Hammer Bay located near Queensbay here which had been demolished.

"They should be helping instead of demolishing the stalls," he said.

Meanwhile in IPOH, the Malaysian Malay Chamber of Commerce (DPMM) has urged the Penang state government to provide a special area for Malay traders who were alleged to have carried out business without a licence rather than demolishing their stalls.

DPMM deputy president Ahmad Mahiyuddin Abdullah said the state government should provide a new area to the traders or issue a business licence to them rather than demolishing their stalls.

Ahmad Mahiyuddin said the state government should consider the effects of its action because the petty traders had families and school-going children to take care of.

- Bernama