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New Straits Times
a day ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
MICCI backs Penang's festive trade fair policy to protect local Indian traders
GEORGE TOWN: The Malaysian Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MICCI), Penang branch, has thrown its support behind the state government's policy of regulating the participation of outstation traders at Indian festive trade fairs in the state. MICCI Penang president Datuk S. Parthiban said the measure was necessary to protect the livelihood of local Indian traders, many of whom depended heavily on festive events like Deepavali sales to sustain their annual operations. "We commend the Penang government for its careful consideration of the challenges faced by local entrepreneurs. "Many of them shoulder year-round obligations such as rent, staff wages and taxes, and deserve the opportunity to thrive during the festive season," he said in a statement today. The policy, introduced five years ago, restricted the participation of festive sale carnivals to local traders only. However, it still allowed for the inclusion of non-Penang traders during non-peak periods, specifically from April 1 to June 30. "This is not a blanket ban. It is a structured, fair approach that balances the need to preserve market viability for Penang-based traders while allowing for healthy competition and diversity at other times of the year," Parthiban added. The statement follows recent public discourse surrounding enforcement action by the Seberang Prai City Council (MBSP) at an Indian trade fair in Bukit Mertajam. The incident sparked social media attention after several traders were issued summonses, prompting clarification from Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow. Yesterday, Chow reaffirmed that the state's policy only applied during peak festive seasons and aimed at ensuring local traders were not undercut by outstation or foreign vendors offering products at lower prices. In its own statement, MBSP reiterated that it did not ban cultural trade fairs, but was enforcing specific participation guidelines to protect the economic interests of local Indian traders. The city council further confirmed that it had received complaints from local business groups over the dominance of external organisers and vendors during such carnivals. MICCI Penang said the policy was aligned with its long-standing advocacy for a level playing field and welcomed continued collaboration with the state government to strengthen local business resilience. "We thank the Penang government for taking a responsible, balanced and sustainable stance that benefits the wider business community," Parthiban said.
The Star
3 days ago
- Business
- The Star
Only local traders allowed to organise Indian trade fairs during peak season, says Penang CM
GEORGE TOWN: Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow has announced that only local traders are permitted to organise Indian trade fairs in Penang during peak periods, with exceptions made for a limited time each year. This policy, implemented over five years ago following an appeal from the Malaysian Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Penang), aims to prioritise Penang-based Indian traders during the Deepavali season. Chow explained, "Traders from outside Penang will not be given permits to hold Indian fairs, festivals or carnivals during peak periods as this would negatively impact the local Indian traders." The policy came under scrutiny after a viral video showed Seberang Perai City Council (MBSP) officers issuing fines to traders at a Bukit Mertajam trade fair. Chow noted that local traders face year-round operational costs, and Deepavali season sales are crucial for covering these expenses. "Allowing outsiders to hold fairs and carnivals would affect their businesses," Chow stated, adding that outsiders may organise fairs outside peak periods. In a statement on Monday (July 21), MBSP clarified that it does not prevent sales carnivals for cultural festivals, including those of the Indian community. Guidelines exist to manage the participation of outside organisers, ensuring the protection of local traders' interests. Outside organisers are only permitted to conduct business in Penang between April 1 and June 30 each year. "This policy is not racially discriminatory or intended to oppress any community. It safeguards the welfare of local traders, ensuring their competitiveness in today's challenging economic climate," MBSP emphasised.
Malay Mail
3 days ago
- Business
- Malay Mail
Chow Kon Yeow: Penang bans out-of-state traders from Deepavali fairs to protect locals, off-peak season still open to others
GEORGE TOWN, July 21 — Only local traders are allowed to organise Indian trade fairs in Penang with stalls selling clothes, accessories and various items in the months leading up to Deepavali, said Penang chief minister Chow Kon Yeow. He said this is a state policy implemented more than five years ago after an appeal from the Penang Indian Chamber of Commerce (PICC) for priority to be given to Penang-based Indian traders, especially during the peak period of Deepavali season. 'It has been a state policy that traders from outside Penang will not be given permits to hold Indian fairs, festivals or carnivals during peak period as this would negatively impact the local Indian traders,' he said in a press conference in his office here, He said the PICC stated that their members have businesses in Penang that operates all-year round with overhead costs that included assessment, quit rent, rentals, and workers' salaries. The Deepavali season, then, would be the time when the traders could increase sales to cover most of the overhead costs for that year, he suggested. 'Outsiders can hold Indian fairs or carnivals outside of the peak season, between February and May,' he said. Deepavali falls on October 20 this year. Chow was responding to recent enforcement action taken by the Seberang Perai City Council (MBSP) against an Indian trade fair in Bukit Mertajam. MBSP issued a statement earlier today to explain that the city council does not prevent traders from organising cultural trade fairs, including Indian trade fairs in Seberang Perai. The city council said there are guidelines controlling the holding of trade fairs and carnivals in Penang by traders from outside of Penang, especially during certain periods. It said traders and organisers from outside Penang are only allowed to be involved in organising and conducting business activities in the state between April 1 and June 30 each year. 'MBSP wishes to stress that this policy is not racially discriminatory nor intended to suppress any community,' it stressed.
Malay Mail
3 days ago
- Business
- Malay Mail
Chow: Penang bans out-of-state traders from Deepavali fairs to protect locals, off-peak season still open to others
GEORGE TOWN, July 21 — Only local traders are allowed to organise Indian trade fairs in Penang with stalls selling clothes, accessories and various items in the months leading up to Deepavali, said Penang chief minister Chow Kon Yeow. He said this is a state policy implemented more than five years ago after an appeal from the Penang Indian Chamber of Commerce (PICC) for priority to be given to Penang-based Indian traders, especially during the peak period of Deepavali season. 'It has been a state policy that traders from outside Penang will not be given permits to hold Indian fairs, festivals or carnivals during peak period as this would negatively impact the local Indian traders,' he said in a press conference in his office here, He said the PICC stated that their members have businesses in Penang that operates all-year round with overhead costs that included assessment, quit rent, rentals, and workers' salaries. The Deepavali season, then, would be the time when the traders could increase sales to cover most of the overhead costs for that year, he suggested. 'Outsiders can hold Indian fairs or carnivals outside of the peak season, between February and May,' he said. Deepavali falls on October 20 this year. Chow was responding to recent enforcement action taken by the Seberang Perai City Council (MBSP) against an Indian trade fair in Bukit Mertajam. MBSP issued a statement earlier today to explain that the city council does not prevent traders from organising cultural trade fairs, including Indian trade fairs in Seberang Perai. The city council said there are guidelines controlling the holding of trade fairs and carnivals in Penang by traders from outside of Penang, especially during certain periods. It said traders and organisers from outside Penang are only allowed to be involved in organising and conducting business activities in the state between April 1 and June 30 each year. 'MBSP wishes to stress that this policy is not racially discriminatory nor intended to suppress any community,' it stressed.
Free Malaysia Today
5 days ago
- Business
- Free Malaysia Today
Traders fined at Penang fair for not being local residents
Screenshots from a now-deleted video showing Seberang Perai City Council enforcement officers issuing compound notices to traders at the fair in Bukit Mertajam. GEORGE TOWN : Local government enforcement officers have drawn flak after a video showing them fining stallholders at a trade fair in Bukit Mertajam went viral. In a now-deleted TikTok video shared by the Seberang Perai City Council (MBSP), enforcement officers were seen issuing compound notices to traders selling sarees and other Indian-themed goods. The officers were also heard describing the event, held earlier this month, as illegal. The traders at the concourse of the supermarket were told that they were in violation of two rules: they were not Penang residents, and they were selling 'Indian-themed items' outside the allowed period. 'I have an SSM licence, and I am a Malaysian, and you're saying I can't do business?' one shocked trader was heard asking, referring to the Companies Commission of Malaysia. The video then showed the MBSP officers speaking to the Kuala Lumpur-based event organiser, who appeared equally confused. The officers explained that under a state policy, only Penang residents could sell 'Indian-related' items and hold fairs. Non-Penangites could only trade their wares from April 1 to June 30, or during the 30 days before Deepavali. 'All Malaysians are welcome to trade their wares from April to June. No problem,' one officer was heard saying. The organiser refused to comment fearing repercussions. The fair was held from July 9 to 13 and deemed a 'big success', with a South Indian soap star gracing its opening. Such Indian-related fairs are common across the peninsula, where cheap wares and textiles are sold at prices lower than brick and mortar stores. Former MBSP councillor P David Marshel asked if such a policy was legal, saying it may go against Article 8 of the Federal Constitution, which guarantees equal treatment for all citizens. He urged the Penang government to clarify whether the policy had been formally approved, and to cancel the compound notices issued. Batu Uban assemblyman A Kumaresan said such a policy may risk creating a perception that Penang is not open to fair business practices. 'Restricting events to certain months may not be the best way forward. This could dampen growth and limit healthy competition between local and outside traders,' he said in a statement. He said while the rule may have been aimed at protecting local businesses from unfair competition, a more equitable solution would be to manage, not block, participation. 'I urge the state to review this policy and seek a more balanced, fair and business-friendly approach that benefits all,' he said. FMT has contacted MBSP and state executive councillor for local government H'ng Mooi Lye for comment.
