TRADERS and shoppers at the Apollo Market along Jalan Raja Uda snapped up 1,500 units of the biodegradable bags in less than 30 minutes when the Penang Barisan Nasional members began distributing the items during their walkabout in Bagan, Butterworth.
Penang Barisan Nasional working committee chairman Datuk Dr Teng Hock Nan said the overwhelming response caught many of the coalition leaders by surprise.
“The response from the people in the Bagan parliamentary constituency was encouraging. They also opened up to us about some of the problems that they face,” he said after leading a group of about 50 Barisan members to the market yesterday.
■ Handy gifts: Dr Teng (in blue, second right) with Gerakan vice-chairman Ong Thean Lye (right), Chua (second left) and Sungai Puyu Barisan Nasional coordinator Sum Yoo Keong (fourth right) distributing the bags at Apollo Market.Dr Teng, who is also the Penang Gerakan chairman, said some of the traders voiced their concerns about the poorly maintained infrastructure at the market.
He said the market had been in existence for nearly 60 years but there was no improvement done to make it more comfortable for the traders and shoppers alike.
A spokesperson for the traders, Ong Kim Seah, said the 500 members there hoped that the Seberang Prai Municipal Council could repair the leaking roofs, clean up clogged drains and reduce traffic congestion.
“We hope the state will allow us to continue trading here and we also hope the Federal Government will help us obtain funds to improve the infrastructure at the market,” he said.
During festive seasons, the number of traders there would increase to above 700.
Barisan’s Bagan parliamentary constituency co-ordinator David Chua said many poor residents living in state government-owned flat units here were finding it hard to settle their monthly rent.
“There seems to be no proper mechanism in place to help the needy in Bagan despite Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng being its Member of Parliament,” he said.
Chua, who is also the Bagan MCA division Youth head, said the state government’s annual RM100 aid to the senior citizens had good intentions but it did not serve any real purpose because the blanket disbursement also reached those who did not need the money such as the rich elderly folks.
“It is a case of not spending wisely. The needy should be given priority instead. There are also several squatter issues here such as in Jalan Telaga Air, Jalan Siram and Raja Uda. The problem remains unresolved,” he said.
Penang MIC chairman Datuk P.K. Subbaiyah said there was hardly any development taking shape in Bagan.
