MPS Licensing Department director Zulaina Abu Talib (right) handing a hat to a trader at Pekan Rawang Ramadan bazaar.
TO date, Selayang Municipal Council (MPS) has issued only five notices for offences at this year’s Ramadan bazaars.
Most of the offences were related to hygiene and food handling.
“The five notices were for vendors wearing jewellery such as rings while handling food (two cases), storing ice in an improper or unhygienic manner (two cases) and hiring an assistant under 18 years old (one case),” said MPS president Shahman Jalaludin.
“We have two teams that monitor the bazaars on a daily basis, namely Licensing Department and the Solid Waste and Health Management Department.”
Shahman said that overall there were fewer offences recorded at Ramadan bazaars this year, compared to last year.
He attributed this to the briefings and reminders given to traders before Ramadan.
MPS prepared 1,831 trading lots across 30 Ramadan bazaar locations this year.
Shahman explained that each bazaar was managed by an appointed coordinator.
“This person is responsible for everything at the bazaar, ranging from trader management to cleanliness and compliance with council guidelines,” he said.
“If this coordinator failed in his duty, he could lose his deposit for the bazaar he is managing.
“The deposit ranges from RM2,000 to RM4,000. A percentage would be deducted if offences were committed or rules were flouted at the bazaars, such as having a dirty site or leaving items behind,” he added.
Shahman said the bazaar coordinator could lose part of or the entire deposit, depending on the type and frequency of offences committed.
He said this after chairing MPS’ March full board meeting at the council’s headquarters in Bandar Baru Selayang, Batu Caves.
“In terms of current assessment tax collection, MPS has collected RM55.01mil (82.11%) out of RM67mil as of Feb 28,” he said.
“As for tax arrears, we collected RM2.49mil (26.28%) out of the RM9.5mil in total arrears.
“The deadline for the first term of assessment tax payment was on Feb 28 and a late payment charge of RM20 was imposed starting March 1. A warrant of arrest will be implemented starting April 1.”
Shahman added that 80% of payments to MPS as of the February deadline were cashless, including those for assessment taxes, business licences, stall rental, compounds as well as building, planning and other permits.
Meanwhile, Treasury Department director Az’har Samsuri gave a presentation on MPS’ financial performance statement for 2024, which was later endorsed at the full board meeting.
Az’har said MPS recorded RM302mil in revenue and RM281mil in expenses last year.
In comparison, MPS recorded RM292mil in revenue and RM285mil in expenses in 2023.
On the drop in last year’s expenses compared to the previous year, Shahman said, “The council’s expenses differ each year due to various factors.
“It includes better expenditure control and projects or support received from the state government, federal-level agencies or ministries.”
Following the endorsement, Az’har said the next step would be to send a copy of MPS’ financial performance statement to the Selangor Economic Planning Unit (Upen), followed by the Selangor National Audit Department. It will eventually be tabled and gazetted at the Selangor state assembly sitting.
