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SMC calls on Qing Ming flower sellers to get five-footway permit, remove roadside stalls

Posted on 24 Mar 2023
Source of News: The Borneo Post (Peter Boon)
Some traders are seen setting up makeshift stalls to sell flowers along the roadside for Qing Ming. — Photo by Peter Boon
Some traders are seen setting up makeshift stalls to sell flowers along the roadside for Qing Ming. — Photo by Peter Boon

SIBU (March 24): The Sibu Municipal Council (SMC) has called on traders selling flowers along the roadside ahead of the Qing Ming Festival to remove their makeshift stalls.

SMC General Purpose and Community Services Standing Committee chairperson councillor Donna Petrus Ngelai stressed this is to prevent traffic congestion as well as for the safety of traders and other road users.

She suggested the traders apply for a permit from the council to trade along the five-footways of shophouses instead.

“For those selling at the roadside, it is advisable to apply (and trade) at any five-footways of shophouses because we don’t want them to obstruct the traffic.

“Our enforcement team will go around to do monitoring, especially on the roadside,” she told The Borneo Post today

She was commenting on how some traders have begun to sell flowers along the roadside here for Qing Ming, which falls on April 5 this year.

Donna said SMC has so far received and approved five permit applications to sell items for Qing Ming along five-footways.

From the five applications approved, one was for selling flowers, while the other four were for selling other items related to the festival such as paper money.

“As for our usual approved site for selling flowers (during Qing Ming), the eight stalls in front of Palace Theatre carpark, all have already been taken up,” said Donna.

She added traders wishing to sell Qing Ming related items can still apply for permits.

“For those who want to sell at five-footways, application is still open and (they can) apply from our SMC’s PH (Public Health) section.

“They can still apply until the Qing Ming Festival,” she said.

She also reminded those trading in front of the Palace Theatre carpark and along five-footways to prioritise cleanliness.