GEORGE TOWN: Online meetings may be a norm these days, but two hawkers here did not realise the formality of the occasion when they appeared on screen shirtless.
The Penang Island City Council (MBPP) were interviewing applicants seeking to rent vacant stalls at its food complexes, markets and hawker centres here.
The outcome? They were disqualified immediately.
MBPP public health and licensing chairman Tan Soo Siang said the two hawkers, in their 50s, should have put on shirts for the interview as stated in the application form.
"We have stated clearly that applicants must be neatly dressed even though the interview was conducted virtually," she said.
Tan said the two could have taken some effort to look decent from the "shoulders upwards... but it seems some people just can't be bothered," she said, adding that the two hawkers can reapply if there are vacant stalls in the next opening.
Tan also said some applicants would join the interview while driving, disregarding road safety.
"In such cases, the interviewer will ask the applicant to pull over before conducting the interview.
"The interview will be suspended if the applicant refuses," she said.
Tan said the MBPP began conducting online interviews two months ago, which was more convenient and efficient than face-to-face interviews.
She said there were openings for a total of 155 stalls in 28 locations, and those interested in running one can apply online from Friday (Nov 17) until Nov 27.
Successful applicants will be interviewed online on Nov 30.
Applicants who cannot apply online can call the MBPP licensing unit at 04-263 8818 (ext 307/308/309/310) for assistance.
