Collective Responsibility

I spoke to the hawkers of the Section 17 Morning Market, Jalan 17/27 on cleanliness and hygienic condition last Wednesday. The market is contributing to the foul smell in Section 17 Town Centre. More than 70% of them turned up in the briefing session vindicated that they are serious of keeping the trading premise tidy. Similar sessions were conducted for Taman Megah and SS2 hawkers last week.

I emphasized on the collective responsibility. Previously, enforcement actions failed due to the irresponsible individual and care less attitude of the hawkers. Hawkers simply do not care about each others and it is very rare to see each other reminding everyone on the need for a cleaner environment. Everyone claims so busy with their business to such extend that nobody bothers about the cleanliness in the public and surrounding area. A compound served on an individual or even order to temporary close the individual trading place does not deter others from continually violating the law. It is a never ending battle for MBPJ when it comes to cleanliness and hygienic as long as the hawkers do not change their attitude and ethic for a good environment and governance.

Perhaps compel them to observing collective responsibility is the only option. Encourage them or if warrant force them to act collectively, and thus responsible as a team on any wrong doings. For example, to close down the whole market for few days if laws have been violated even by an individual or minority or if a number of compounds have been issued in a fix period of time. No individual, but group responsibility is entertained. For hawkers, asking them to cease business for few days is killing. They can afford to pay the fine rather than of not doing business. In order to effectively implementing this new approach, solid supports from stakeholders, namely the Councillors, residents and consumers are important. On top of that, consultation process between all stakeholders to create consensus on the accepted criteria is critical prior to full implementation. For example, to agree on the service standard etc.

While the long term impact is yet to ascertain, the immediate result is forthcoming. On Monday, the hawkers together with MBPJ organised a mass cleaning up exercise and they have agreed to do it every month. On top of that, every stall will contribute RM30 per month to engage cleaners to up keep the premise during operation hours. It is definitely a good development. Hopefully the change attitude is extended to cover other aspects of sustainability such as environmental and user friendly, fair trade, food safety, health and etc.

Liveable City of Petaling Jaya for all is achievable if only everyone plays his/her responsibility. In this case, hawkers are playing important role.