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Tuesday, July 16, 2013

Local traders protest 'loss of business' to foreigners


Hundreds of traders in Penang and Selangor are protesting against the government's policy to allow foreigners to ply their trade in the country, hurting the economies of local businesses here.

In Klang Little India this morning, about 250 Indian Malaysian traders gathered, carrying placards and walked about one kilometre along Jalan Tunku Kelana as a sign of protest.

indian trader malaysia 291107According to Malaysian Indian Textile and General Stores Association secretary Maheswary Ramasamy, about 280 shops, including those operated by Indian Muslims and Chinese Malaysians, also shut down in solidarity.

Maheswary expressed the local traders’ displeasure at the various shopping carnivals organised by the government to encourage trade with foreign countries such as Bangladesh, China, India, Indonesia and Pakistan.

"These carnivals are affecting our businesses. They goods look attractive as they sell cheap but what the buyers do not realise is that those products are poor in quality," Maheswary toldMalaysiakini.

"Already we have limited customers and these carnivals and foreign traders are stealing our businesses.

"The government must put a stop to this as we local traders are Malaysians, we pay taxes, bank loans and other expenses in order to pay our debts."
No response from PM, DPM

NONEMaheswary claimed that the situation has caused small local businesses to shut down as they cannot stand the stiff competition by foreign traders.

The association has sent a memorandum on their plight to Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak and his deputy Muhyiddin Yassin, she claimed, stating but so far, no response has been forthcoming.

She stressed that she was not merely speaking for the association, but also for the Indian Muslims, Malay and Chinese Malaysian traders, who all support their cause to call for an end to foreigners stealing their business.

Maheswary further questioned why were the Immigration Department not monitoring or checking up on alleged illegal traders who ply their trade at local markets.

"They cannot say they do not know this is happening as they often come to our shops and ask us to show documents for our foreign workers," she said.

In Penang, about 200 joined the protest in the Little India enclave, where 140 shops shut down in solidarity, while four grocery shops opened after noon.

NONEDuring the protest, the area, which falls under the Padang Kota constituency, is reminiscent of a ghost town as the usual bustling activities of trade and tourism came to a standstill.

The protestors also sent a memorandum to the Domestic Trade Deputy Director Abdul Rosik Yakud at Syed Putra Building.

'Do not issue licences to foreigners'

Penang Malaysian Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry president N Vasantharajan said Little India is under the UN World Heritage site.

petaling street traders 140306"If carnivals are the ones pulling the customers away, there is no meaning to this heritage site.

"Rental in Little India is not cheap, and these carnivals, which are organised usually during Hari Raya and Deepavali festivals, are making us lose our business," he told reporters.
They are referring to, among others, the upcoming Penang Global Indian Festival 2013 in Subterranean Penang International Convention and Exhibition Centre (sPICE) from Aug 7 till 11.

Vasantharajan further called on the authorities not to issue licenses to foreign traders.

He cited an example where a company has been issues a license "due to personal interest", earning a hefty profit but it is killing local traders.

NONEIt is learnt that similar protests are being held in Brickfields, Malacca, Sungai Petani, Alor Setar and Ipoh.

Meanwhile, Penang state executive councillor Chow Kon Yeow (left) urged the federal government to pay attention to the plight of local traders, who have been raising the issues for years.

"Foreign traders do not pay custom duties, which make their products cheaper, while local traders need to open their shops 365 days a year," he said.

"If the foreign traders do the business a whole year and pay the same cost, then only it is fair."

Chow, who is also state DAP chief and Padang Kota assemblyperson, said he would raise the matter with Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng, on how to assist the local traders.

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