Wet markets - a 'new order' of compliance and common sense
The wet market along Jalan Othman in Petaling Jaya, popularly known as the PJ Old Town market, has now been closed for about two weeks. What has since been going on inside is unknown because the entire premises have been sealed. There is reason to believe that some clean-up operations have been or are being undertaken by the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ). Then, on being given the go-ahead by the health authorities, it will be opened again. But don’t do it yet. The closure should be used by the authorities to come out with a “new order” which will protect all stakeholders – the traders, the customers and the council itself. This order should be the forbearer of a system which encompasses compliance and adherence to laws, principles, policies and above all, common sense and logic. It must not remain an order on paper with no teeth. It should be supported by strict compliance, enforcement and punishment. It should be an order where no discretion is given to anyone (however high up he or she is) to bend or break the laws or dispense with procedures. It starts on the premise that the primary objective is to provide a conducive environment – safe and hygienic – to do one's marketing. For the trader, it will ensure his own safety, the ease his system of doing business and practising a good regime that always draws customers. Almost all the local councils in England have their own set of rules and regulations governing the operations of markets and regulating the traders. There’s plenty on the Net.
Here are some suggestions: All traders handle food. Hence, the basic requirement is that it must be made compulsory for all food handlers – from lorry drivers who deliver the produce to the one who does the packing – to get necessary vaccinations and inoculations. All foreigners employed by the traders must be properly documented – work permits, health screenings, etc. The system of pajak or leasing of stalls and licences to third parties must be made illegal and punishable. In short, they must be owner-operated and any breach should lead to revocation of licence. Any trader caught employing undocumented workers should have his licence revoked and be prosecuted. No two ways on this. All stalls should be identified with a number that is displayed prominently. This will enable customers to easily identify the stall should they make a breach. Each stall must be fitted with taps and a washbasin for fresh running water to periodically wash his hands and clean the stall to maintain its hygiene. Recycling used water must be banned. Each stall must have a proper bin to dispose entrails, innards, etc. No putting in plastic bags or pushing it to the floor. Appropriate personal hygiene facilities for washing and drying of hands, liquid soap, paper towels should be provided at strategic places in the market for customers. Food contact surfaces should be in good condition and be easy to clean and disinfect. Surfaces should be smooth, washable, corrosion-resistant and non-toxic. The garbage must be taken away for disposal After closing time each day, each trader must be compelled to clean (with detergent) his own stall and its surrounding including the walkways. The council supplement this cleaning up with periodic cleaning with jets of water to clear the grime and oil on the floor. (This list is not exhaustive and can be amended or revised as and when the need arises or with additional input from the public) Some of the comments to anticipate from the council, detractors and some of the traders would be: “Difficult; not doable; they will resist; it will cost a lot of money.” The MBPJ is the licencing and enforcement authority. It is armed with the principal legislation like the Food Act and several supplementary municipal regulations and bylaws. If there are insufficient or do not cover certain issues, promulgating bylaws should never be an issue.
The issue of funds and lack of it is utter bunkum. Everyone knows the council is over-staffed. (Its public relations department has 28 staff – a larger workforce than similar departments in PLCs and GLCs!) Never mind, let us not touch ratepayers’ funds. It is not known how many traders operate, but using a conservative estimate of 100, with each contributing RM1 a day will be more than enough. RM100 a day is enough to introduce these facilities and to cover its maintenance. If additional funds are needed, just take it from other departments’ allocations because we don’t need fancy streetlights and road signs. Besides, any leftover monies should be channelled for a closed-circuit system for safety and protection of all the users – traders and customers. If need be, there should be a substantial allocation from the council. Then it all boils down to the most challenging task – to enforce the law. It is no use sending enforcement officers or health inspectors just to walk around making hand or eye signals or formulating new methodologies for bribes and inducements. Strict enforcement is the only way to make this whole plan succeed. Neither can it be a one-off thing. It must be done every day – until the traders realise that they can no longer go back to the bad old days. Any breach would mean a temporary suspension and depending on the severity, even a revocation of the licence. This would send a message that the council means business. If these practices are implemented and then fine-tuned, they could be incorporated in all wet markets in the council’s jurisdiction; then to those in other districts and later on a national scale. Sounds interesting? Yes because you and I would like to go to market assured that we not only get fresh produce but to know that we are shopping in a safe and hygienic environment. What about it, councillors? While you are deliberating on approvals for high-rise condominiums and nightspots, just spend some time considering these proposals. Asking too much? No, they are doable with just the will and determination to start a new order – a system that operates within the law for the benefit of the people.
Great suggestions, But knowing how Malaysian authorities operate, it is not going to happen. Probably, probably ok most stalls may be owned by MPPJ officers themselves... heheheh. MPSJ should renovate the market and give it a face lift. And do it fast so the traders don't suffer.
In a sum, allocate the space for those citizens who are in the business of retail trade. The issues of the licensing arrangement made these markets operate in a deplorable condition as the last mile operator has only left few ringgits to survive.
Brilliant...Hope the relevant govt authorities read this article and act accordingly. This is a moment in time, where we can implement and enforce the changes needed. The positive outcome of Covid-19. Hope the gaji buta idiots do not miss this opportunity.
This really a time for Malaysia to reset on how we do business and how we conduct activities around business premises and our lives. This is a great opportunity to instill fear among the rakyat if they break the rule there will be heavy price to pay.
YES guys! This is definitely do-able with good conscience and a bit of hard work. Ignore the nay-sayers like the ever negative commentator before me, who never offers anything positive or constructive. The provision of clean and easily maintained surfaces, running water and washbasins for each stall is a good start. Good drainage is a must. Once the infrastructure is improved, education and enforcement must take place and be consistent. Let those PR people get out on the ground and do some genuine public relations
wet markets should be installed with cameras where monitoring to be done remotely at enforcing officers desks using speakers to warn traders and people flouting the SOP this will keep people on toes just a suggestion
Well said guys! The citizen needs to be protected! Great proposal have laid out in broad terms how our wet markets should operate post Covid-19, in a very hygienic manner that will benefit all parties. Now its up to the relevant authorities to take necessary action to make it work. Initially it would entail lots of planning, coordination and taking tough decisions to make it work. Once all systems are in place with the accompanying SOPs, the running of wet markets will be a smooth going exercise. Probably concentrate on one wet-market as a pilot project, make changes etc to ensure success, then replicate it elsewhere. All that is required is the will to make a difference to society......
How do we have compliance when there is no enforcement . Right in front of your nose proven that the elite the powerful do not follow any law they walk over it and claim ignorance and i am sure that the operator and stake holder are surely connected somehow to vested interest so i don't thing anything will change maybe short period they will be more vigilant and practice some form of SOP but it is only for the cameras after that back to normal . Its the malaysia way we have so many law but who is going to enforce them ? By the way why is our wet market so dirty ? in the first place is there a SOP in place of is it that they just collect and forget ( about it ) just like everything else OR the contractor who is suppose to do the job is also my so and so, so much so just take the contract and do nothing. Even if you build a new Market it will break down in a very short period of time walk around KL and you can see it Big Nice LRT station without a parking lot how can this be but it is there.
Even Authorities in Malaysia from the police all the way to local govt are fat cats and totally incompetent. Pandai-pandai when it comes to creating laws but then 'trust' people to comply. Maybe because little or no money to sapu when only enforcing laws.
We must go for the head first bec the rot starts from the head & spread elsewhere. If there one man who has to responsibility for this rot, it has to be the longest serving PM. Yes, forget about the change bec it got to start with the primary school with the instillation of values. Don’t expect those at the top to change. Saw how they are openly fighting & begging for various posts in the govt. Look at their life style. You got to see the houses of Bung Mokhtar & the Tajuddin fellow in Kampung Gajah. Visit his house in Kg Gajah during election time & see for yourself the atmosphere there. No, don’t expect them to change. The lest that can be done is to get MACC to investigate these fellows including the deputy federal territory minister. While at it, also check if that Fellow has settled his travelling bills & how come he was able to organise such a lavish wedding reception for his child at Mandarin hotel.
NancyDrewWhite ,Our city councils are not doing their job to ensure that our markets are clean. Or maybe they just close one eye after receiving corruption money from the traders. It's also timely to take the 'wet' out of our markets. Markets in developed countries are clean and dry.
Yes guys, Ageson shares i buy and forget it, means Ageson is a mid term share, sand news now out already, waiting for CCCC=CASH,CREDIT CARD,CONDO, CAR AND COUNTRYCLUB MEMBERSHIP only! CCCC PASS, then i will keep an eye at my Ageson share, maybe rm1.50-rm3.00 or even rm5.00? Only god knows at that time!
Thank you very much for the support, let's see our Ageson shoot up again. For those who missed the boat, you are not late. Join in and spread more supportive news. We need more good news and encouragement for our investors to be more confident.
scrown, actually they did read Bursa report, they intentionally disturb other counter...... why? Because all those counter they promote go Holland already! Now No place to squat with a copper bowl in hand, those 大种乞丐 decided to hijack new counter, bloody beggars have no idea what surprise awaits them in this counter! ha ha ha
HI shine7, for this type of beggar no need to give mercy to them one, once detected splat them! One more important info, those beggar did not miss the boat, too poor to ride on boat now! See them squat near my office front, pity pity beggars!
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Legend
4,119 posts
Posted by Legend > 2020-05-14 13:23 |
Post removed.Why?