To answer your question on why MBPJ does not conduct checks, it is because this practice of leasing out hawker license isn’t limited to street hawkers, but also those operating within kopitiams. Conducting a check on every single stall is a massive exercise.

Without a formal complaint, MBPJ will just have to assume that things are okay. Meanwhile, MBPJ is presently trying to clean up the southern parts of Petaling Jaya where there are many illegal hawkers and pasar malam traders, whereas the stall that I am referring to is somewhere in the central part of PJ.

As to why I didn’t file a complaint on behalf of the lady, it is because I have no wish of getting the lady in trouble, because MBPJ treats both parties [as] equally guilty. Unless the lady was willing to come forward to complain, MBPJ would be slapping both with a fine and taking away the license.

Regards.

She probably even thought that you may have been ignoring her completely, like how most of us have experienced with governmental organizations in the past. Annoyingly consistent and a little contradictory (threatening to go to press) nevertheless.

Sometimes, it is necessary to go down to the level of consideration displayed by some people simply so they can understand. Even more so if you’re not living next door to Alice.

I agree. There are limits to the job scope of a councillor.

But I bet most people have the same mentality as this lady and prefer to be anonymous in filing whatever complaints they have as they are scared of retribution, especially if it involves the neighbours.

Actually I’ve even known some people who would rather suffer in silence than to report their neighbours’ atrocity to the relevant authority for fear of a bad spat between them.

A point to ponder.

I remember so many times I was persuaded by well meaning and responsible people that I should stay in Malaysia because “it’s better to be a second class citizen in your own country than a first class citizen elsewhere”. This is their logic to be content in the rut that they live in. After all these years, many of them are still in their same spot, the same mamak stall, same jobs (unless hit by VSS or retrenchment)…

I think Malaysia is the only country in the world where the general public knows every dirty little secret of the ruling elite and it’s discussed feverishly and passionately at the mamak stall. But Malaysians are proud Nato card carrying members – the No Action Talk Only kind…

The reason for this is – all average Malaysians regardless of race, religion and cultural heritage believe in one thing very strongly. We don’t disturb another person’s rice bowl. Even if it’s illegal, morally wrong. So long as our rice bowl is protected and assured.

This is the reason why the BN coalition has enjoyed such a long and prosperous comfortable looting, plundering and pillaging of the nation. So long as the average Malaysian thinks that they will continue to be fed, roofed and clothed comfortably – they continue to support every ridiculous and mentally-challenged ideas of BN politicians. Until now.

Why now? Well, the average Malaysian is finding themselves hit where it hurts most. Their rice bowl. The size of the rice bowl has become smaller – even the scraps and bones are tiny and no meat is in sight. While every minister’s relative is sporting new cars and mansions from sub contracts – the average Malaysian is the orphan Oliver. Finally, the average Malaysian is waking up to the kopi tarik that he/she, the citizen has been royally buggered for years. It’s about time anyway!