Padang Besar: Local traders in the border town of Padang Besar are advised to use the opportunities available with the opening of the Malaysia-Thai border soon.
Perlis Hawkers and Petty Traders Committee chairman Azizan Sulaiman said the opening of the country’s border was being awaited by quarters, especially the business community, as it would give a positive impact on the country’s economic recovery.
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Most importantly, he said, it will revive economic activities in the border towns such as Padang Besar and Wang Kelian.
“I hope our local traders will seize the opportunity and do not take the easy way by leasing out their business premises to foreigners for profit,” he said.
He said during the closure of the country’s border since March 2020 with the implementation of the Movement Control Order (PKP), the Padang Besar and Wang Kelian towns were paralysed as economic activities came to a halt, and began to recover after the post-MCO period last year.
“After the government withdrew the PKP and gave an assurance that there would be no more PKP, economic activities in Padang Besar recovered when it became the focus of domestic tourists.
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“With the opening of the country’s border, foreign tourists will come and this can help to boost economic and tourism activities in Perlis,” he added.
The state government, through the local government authorities (PBT), he said, were now monitoring the situation in Padang Besar to prevent unlicensed traders from setting up stalls in the area in anticipation of a boon in business with the opening of the Malaysia-Thai border.
Meanwhile, a shop owner, Rozi Mustafa, 56, said when MCO was implemented in March 2020, a “whitening” process was conducted to ensure only local licensed traders had stalls at the business arcade.
“However, with the reopening of the country’s border, there is a possibility traders from will come back to operate their business here.
“If this happens, the local traders will eventually lose out,” he added.
Sharing his concern is As Ismail Hashim, the manager of the Padang Waremart business arcade.
He said before the MCO, Thai traders were able to operate in Padang Besar because of the attitude of some local traders who leased out their business stalls to the foreigners.
“Now, the stalls are all occupied by locals as traders from Thailand could not enter the country’s border. But, when the border reopens, they (Thai traders) may come back, and it is not impossible for the local traders to lease out their stalls again for quick profit.
“Measures have to be taken to stop this,” he added.
