Putatan Council agrees to lower Ramadan bazaar site rental price
Published on: Wednesday, March 13, 2024
By: Iskandar Dzulkifli
Awang Ahmad presenting school aid to the students at the ceremony.
PUTATAN: Hawkers here can breathe a sigh of relief after the District Council agreed to lower the Ramadan bazaar site rent to the previous RM350-RM400 per unit from RM750.
This followed the objection of Petagas Assemblyman Datuk Awang Ahmad Sah Awang Sahari who asked the Putatan District Council (MDP) to lower the rental rate.
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Awang Ahmad said the rate will cause an increase in the selling price of food which in turn will burden customers, especially the people in the area.
“It is understood that the (new) rental rate for Ramadan bazaar sites in some locations in the area ranges from RM600 to RM750 per site, causing annoyance among the small traders.
“I discussed with the MDP Executive Officer that I objected the rental rate which will, of course, increase the selling price of food to the point of burdening the people.
“Following that, MDP agreed to lower the rental rate to the previous price of RM350 to RM400 per unit, depending on the location of the bazaar site,” he said.
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He said this when met after completing YB Datuk Awang Ahmad Sah’s Back-To-School Programme at Kampung Ulu Putatan, here, recently.
Also present was Organising Chairman Pg Mohd Shahif Pg Tinggal, who is also the Special Officer to Datuk Awang Ahmad Sah.
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Awang Ahmad said, however, he agreed with the rental rate of RM700 for 10 larger sites in the area near the main road
in Putatan Central due to the strategic location.
“It’s just that, in the area of the bazaar site near Pasaraya Survey Putatan which is managed by the Farmers’ Association, I don’t disturb, but traders can choose to do business in areas where the rent has been lowered.
“If there is another (rent) increase, traders can keep informing me and I will make sure they don’t pay more than they should,” he stressed.
Awang Ahmad, who is also Parti Gagasan Rakyat Tanjung Aru Division Head, said that a ceiling price for the rental rate of the Ramadan bazaar site in the area will be set next year.
He said the effort was taken after discussing with Putatan MP, Datuk Ir Shahelmy Yahya, to ensure that the same problem does not repeat itself in the future.
“I have discussed with him (Shahelmy) and next year we will determine the ceiling price for the rental rate of the Ramadan bazaar site so that it is more controlled.
“At the same time, we will ensure that in addition to third parties getting profit (bazaar site rent), the people (small traders) also get a reasonable price (site rent).
“In addition, MDP also agreed with my proposal to open two new Ramadan bazaar areas in Kampung Pasir Putih and Taman Union, respectively, with reasonable rental rates,” he said.
Earlier, more than 500 primary school students from in Petagas received school equipment and financial aid donated by Awang Ahmad at the event.
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