The Penang Municipal Council (MPPP) has dismissed allegations that its officers had acted aggressively towards a disabled trader.

 

MPPP councillor in charge of licensing Ong Ah Teong said that enforcement officers had acted professionally in the operation at Jalan Solok Sungai on Sept 12.

 

"There was no aggression nor scuffle between the trader and enforcement officers.

 

"It is not true that we mistreated the trader. The accusation is baseless as the seizure operation was conducted according to procedures and council by-laws on hawkers," he said at a press conference.

 

Trader G Munisvaran ( left ), who operates in the area once a month, claimed he was mistreated when he tried to protect his goods from being taken away by the 15-strong enforcement team.

 

Munisvaran, 43, had alleged that 200 garment pieces were seized by the officers who pushed him when he tried to stop them.

 

He claimed that the officers also verbally insulted him when he pleaded with them not to seize his goods.

 

Video evidence

 

At the press conference, Ong showed reporters a video clip of the operation to refute the trader’s allegations.

 

He said Munisvaran, whose address is in Seberang Jaya, had only taken the inventory form and claims documents but has yet to claim his goods from MPPP.

 

Munisvaran, who trades in the area once a month, said he cannot afford to pay the fine.

 

The father of two would have to fork out RM350 – which includes storage charges – before the garments are returned.

 

Ong said the council has been receiving complaints about the illegal hawkers from residents in the area since 2012.

 

The complaints include traffic congestion and notices have been issued to the traders since Mar 15, 2012.

 

"Enforcement activities have been going on for about 48 times after the notices were issued and due to these actions, the area was cleared of illegal trading for some time," he told reporters in Komtar, Penang.

 

"However several illegal traders returned to trade in the area in August this year. Munisvaran was seen in the location on Aug 10. 

 

"At the same time, we continue to receive complaints about traffic congestion and acted consistently to address the complaints from residents and factory workers living there.

 

On why the raid took place, Ong said when enforcement officers went to the area on Sept 12 at about 6.45pm, there were two illegal traders, one of them Munisvaran.

 

He added that his officers seized 108 garments from Munisvaran and a basket of vegetables from another trader.