Catch22@PJ:Small Traders

During the economic down turn, many people ventured into other trades. Informal sector with easier entry point attract more people especially those with low skill, capital and commitment. Undoubtedly, small traders are important components in our economy supply chain. Aspiring small traders should be provided with assistance and facilitation to trade and as a training ground for them prior moving into SME sector later. After all, growth of many MNC is following similar path.


It is not wrong for local authorities to issue license and to identify new trading sites or even to construct new business premises and to lease it to them with nominal fee. Certainly, Local authorities have the social responsibility.

Equally, those benefited from the local authorities have social responsibility as well. They are here making money with minimum risks and gaining higher profit margin. My observation is, sorry to say they are not reciprocating the good gesture of the residents and local authorities. Pardon me for saying this, majority of the small traders are irresponsible citizens and many of them are not fit to be given opportunity to continue trading. Some even said these people have robbed our rights and raped our green area. Let me quote some examples,


1. Mobile hawkers as the name suggested, are given license to trade from places to places and they are not permitted to stop at a place longer than permitted. What happen now is many of them are stationed permanently in a place, and some even place objects there overnight to prevent others from using it. It causes traffic jam and nuisance.

2. The business hour for night market is 5pm and onwards. What happen now is many of the car park lots and streets are occupied and blocked starting from as early as 3pm. I have a bitter experience in SS2 some time ago. A hawker scolded me for parking at a legitimate lot as it was obstructing his stall. At that time, it was 4.00pm.


3. Many of the small traders occupied open space, pedestrian walkway, car park lot, utilities reserve or even the walkway for disabled people for their business and utensils. It is common to see washing and storing activities at the back lanes. They are denying the public right’s for accessibility and facilities enjoyment.

4. The dirty outlook of business premises and surrounding area made you wonder are they not caring about the environment and Mother Earth. At one of the dialogue session amongst officers, developer, small traders and residents over a proposal to build a commercial plaza and market, a resident voiced her concern of tolerating with the odour for 24 hours daily in which small traders of the market might not even care. I wonder if we can have more such concerned residents to stand up openly and to demand well behavior small traders.


5. Many have considered the business premises and licenses are family asset and rightfully family members should inherit the licenses or premises, even though these are public properties. You will see the same owners or the children are continuing with the trade perpetually. Some are large and experience enough to venture into bigger scale, but remain to stay put.

I have been witnessing this scenario since day one of my service. I do not foresee any changes unless having stronger political will and management commitment. I do not foresee any changes unless the small traders are compassionate about inculcating sense of collective responsibility towards sustainable environment and fair trade. I believe that stricter enforcement such as closure of trading premises and cancellation of license is required. I believe other stakeholders such as residents and consumers groups shall advocate proactively for a better, healthy and sustainable environment in which boycotting the irresponsible traders is the top and only priority. Until then, changes can only take place unless a crisis such as disease break out or food poisoning, if unfortunately happened or else it is status quo.


We are in the Catch 22 situation now. On one hand, we have to facilitate for the growth of small traders as an important component in our economy system. On the other hand, they do not show good reciprocate gestures towards the community and environment. If we need to make a choice, I prefer to not having the small traders.