City Hall told to act against illegal vendors at Lido Market
KOTA KINABALU:
The Kota Kinabalu City Hall has been urged to immediately act against foreigners hawking illegally at the vicinity of the Lido Market in Lido township here, as they are affecting the livelihood of the legitimate hawkers. Simon Tsen, the Chinese Kapitan for Lido, said he had been receiving numerous complaints from the hawkers at the Lido Market complaining over the presence of these illegal vendors who are foreigners as they were posing an unfair competition to them. “This was because unlike the legitimate hawkers who are paying the monthly rental as well as the trading licence, these foreigners are operating freely without having to pay anything, thus they can afford to sell their goods at a much lower price and this is affecting the business of the legitimate hawkers,” he explained. Simon stressed that since the legitimate hawkers are paying for the trading licence thus contributing to the City Hall’s income, it is only appropriate and fair that the City Hall must come up with effective measures to curb the illegal vendors from operating there, so as to protect the interest of the legitimate hawkers. “Failing which, it may only cast doubt on the credibility and integrity of the City Hall, its Enforcement Unit especially,” he pointed out. He also noted that these illegal vendors usually start operating at the market as early as 4.30am until 7.30am on normal days and until 10am on Sundays. Hence, if the City Hall enforcement is serious about tackling the issue, it should then station its personnel there at early hours.
