Friday, January 4, 2008

FRIDAY-4TH JANUARY 2008-HAWKERS URGE GOVT TO DECIDE ON APPLICATION

Hawkers urge Govt to decide on application:
Association wants to build its premises at ex-UNHCR site
KOTA KINABALU:
The Sabah West Coast Bumiputra Hawkers Association (SWCBHA) yesterday urged the State Government to make a decision on its application to develop its premises at the former UNHCR site here.
Its chairperson, Lipah Hj Mad, said they had submitted a memorandum on the proposed development to City Hall last year but had not heard any news regarding their application since then.
"The association submitted its application to City Hall as the land owner to upgrade the area, using the RM4 million in funds they were given by the Federal Government," she said, referring to the funds channelled through Sedcovest Holdings Sdn Bhd.
Lipah said the proposal submitted by the SWCBHA focused on improvements on the facilities available to its members in an effort to improve their businesses.
"If we get profit, we can provide better education to our children and in turn this will help improve the image of Bumiputras. We expect our leaders to practise the fardu kifayah, which means to boost Bumiputra-owned businesses," she said. Lipah noted that relocating their premises is out of the question as the association believes it would have a bad effect on its members' business.
"We hope the application can be considered as quickly as the proposed KK Waterfront project. We want the Government to decide whether or not the proposal is beneficial to the people before the coming elections.
"Hopefully the Government will review the agreement signed with the selected developer ... we believe the Government is always ready to listen to, the people," she said.