![a Malaysia for Malaysians - Member of Parliament, Kapar [P.109]](http://www.mpkapar.com/manikavasagam/wp-content/themes/intrepidity/uploads/BILLBOARD.jpg "a Malaysia for Malaysians -
Member of Parliament, Kapar [P.109]")
May 09
21
Meru traders feel the pinch
HOW MUCH? Kapar MP S. Manikavasagam and Meru wholesale market Malay Traders Association secreatary Abdul Rahim Abdul Razak (right) discussing the rent rates
ABOUT 125 petty traders at the Meru wholesale market are unhappy that the Klang Municipal Council will be increasing the daily rental for lots at the market next month.
Meru Wholesale Market Malay Petty Traders’ Association secretary Abdul Rahim Abdul Razak said traders are already feeling the pinch with the economic slowdown and will not be able to sustain the rent hike.
“We were told that there will be a 150 per cent hike. We are currently paying RM8 a day. We were informed that they want to increase it to RM20 a day.
“We cannot afford to pay that much. In fact we want it reduced to RM5 a day,” said Abdul Rahim.
He said there was a drop of 50 per cent in business and urged the council to use its discretion on the issue. “We small traders need to survive too,” he added.
Kapar MP S. Manikavasagam echoed Abdul Rahim’s comments and said he did not agree with the rent hike.
“I come to this market once a week with my wife and I notice how bad things are for these traders. I will write to the council president and urge him to look into this matter immediately.
“We are going through a recession and we should not make it more difficult for those who make a living on a daily basis,” said the first-term MP. Manikavasagam spent about 45 minutes with the traders during a walkabout in the market.
