A total 17 bumiputra traders have agreed to relocate to Jalan Phee Choon from the Ramadan Bazaar in Jalan Penang as directed by the Penang Municipal Council (MPPP), on Saturday.

Their spokesperson, Aminulhaq Nazir Ahmad, 62, said they had no problems relocating although the response at the new location was less encouraging.

Aminulhaq, who sold textile and dresses in Jalan Penang for the past 26 years, hoped more customers would visit the location after MPPP completed installing multi-coloured lights at the new spot this Thursday.

“Today is the first day we are trading here. The place is comfortable as MPPP had provided a big tent for free. But business is not brisk because the public is still unaware of the location,” he told reporters when met at his stall in George Town today.

Meanwhile, Georgetown Ramadan Bazaar chairperson Taufik Sulong said there were still three places vacant at the bazaar for those keen to apply to do business there.

Commenting on the peaceful demonstration by traders on Saturday, he said it should not have taken place because MPPP had discussed and had the agreement of the majority of the traders on the relocation.

“According to our records, only one trader refused to relocate to the new site and we are prepared to give him a place had he submitted an application,” he told a press conference in George Town.

A Bernama survey in Jalan Phee Choon found more that 10 traders had started their operations as of 5pm despite the lack of customers visiting the area.

On Saturday, about 20 people who claimed to be traders at the Ramadan Bazaar in Jalan Penang gathered in protest against the action of MPPP in directing them to relocate to Jalan Phee Choon.

- Bernama

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