Vegetable seller Sim Giok Hong, 88, sitting at her stall while a Segamat Municipal Council enforcement official issues her a compound for selling vegetables without a licence at the Kampung Abdullah public market in Segamat. (Courtesy photo)
SEGAMAT: At 88, Sim Giok Hong still rises early each morning to sell vegetables at the Kampung Abdullah public market near her home.
However, her routine for the past five years was disrupted by a RM50 compound notice from the Segamat Municipal Council (MPS) for selling produce without a licence.
Segamat MCA Youth chief Tay Kok Wea, who is also an MPS councillor, said the incident took place at 9am on Friday (Jan 23).
Segamat MCA Youth chief Tay Kok Wea, who is also a Segamat Municipal Council councillor, stepped in to help 88-year-old Sim Giok Hong to pay the RM50 compound issued against her for selling vegetables without a licence. (Courtesy photo)"A member of the public posted about it on social media, and upon seeing it, I immediately informed my fellow councillor Eric Teo to go to the scene to assist.
"I paid the fine on her behalf as she is a helpless woman who is selling vegetables to earn a living," he told The Star on Tuesday (Jan 27).
Tay said the payment was made through Teo, who is also the Segamat MCA Youth deputy chief.
The compound was issued under Rule 171 of the MPS Hawkers By-Laws 2011 for trading without a valid licence.
Tay clarified that his action was not for publicity, but out of sympathy for the senior citizen.
"However, the initial posting continued circulating on social media, prompting many people to call for assistance.
"So I posted on my own Facebook page to explain what we had done to help the granny," he said
He added that he had coordinated with the council’s enforcement unit not to take action against her in the future.
"The granny sells about seven types of vegetables and only four times a week, so the licence fee is quite heavy for her.
"I will bring up her case at next month’s MPS committee meeting to help her get a licence (for a token) fee. Once approved, I will pay it on her behalf," he said.
Tay stressed that progress and development should not rely solely on systems, but also on the human touch.
He added that after the incident, he spoke to Sim via a video call to assure her that she could continue selling her harvest at the market without obstruction.
"I learned that she is an independent woman who lives on her own.
"She does not need any financial or material assistance. She just wants to continue her routine in peace," he said.
