KOTA KINABALU: The Federation of Chinese Associations Sabah (FCAS) has hoped that the State government and the authority concerned could consider allowing the Foh Sang Market to resume operations, during the ongoing Movement Control Order (MCO) period.
Its president, Tan Sri T.C Goh reiterated that this is necessary, so that the residents of Foh Sang and its vicinity could continue to have access to affordable groceries and essential items, without having to travel far away from their homes.
He reckoned that this is doable by putting in place a proper Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for the hawkers to comply with, to ensure public safety.
He expressed this while responding to the joint memorandum submitted by the traders and residents of Foh Sang to the Mayor of Kota Kinabalu, Datuk Nordin Siman today, appealing for reopening of the Foh Sang Market. The market was ordered to close by the State Secretary on last Saturday, following harsh criticism by some netizens over the presence of huge crowd and traffic congestion in the vicinity.
But, the Foh Sang residents and traders had since denounced the closure of the market, lamenting that it has adversely affected their livelihood.
Goh who is also the president of The Federation of Chinese Associations Malaysia (Huazong) also reminded that, during this MCO period, the government too does not encourage the public to travel far from home to get their daily needs including food items, but encouraged them to do so at the nearest available shops or markets.
He also proposed that the Foh Sang traders and hawkers set up their own association to better manage their affairs, and to conduct their businesses in a safe and more orderly manner during the MCO period, in everyone’s best interest.
He added that the relevant authority should probably consider banning cars from entering the vicinity of Foh Sang shops, and to only allow the public to walk in to conduct their business, besides requiring them to strictly abide by the social-distancing measure, and to quickly leave the place after getting what they needed. He thus hoped the relevant authority could quickly respond to the appeal of the Foh Sang residents and traders, and make a decision that is both positive and helpful to them.-pr/BNN
