Saturday, April 26, 2008

Saravanan Wants A Balanced Racial Composition Of Traders In FT

KUALA LUMPUR, April 25 (Bernama)

The Federal Territories Ministry will ensure a balanced racial composition of traders in wholesale markets, said its deputy minister, Datuk M. Saravanan.

By this, he said the ministry would ensure that every trader was given equal opportunities to run their businesses, without taking race or religion into consideration.

"In the near future, I will meet with the respective traders associations to find a way in balancing the composition of the traders," he told reporters after visiting the Kuala Lumpur Wholesale Market here Friday.

On his visit to the market, Saravanan who is also MIC information chief, expressed dissatisfaction with the racial composition of the traders there.

"Of the approximately 465 traders at the market, only 50 are Malays and three are Indians.

"However, I am satisfied with the prices of items sold at the market," he said.

On illegal traders, including foreigners, who set up stalls and sell similar items as those inside the market, Saravanan said their action would only jeopardise the businesses of the legal traders.

"Therefore, my ministry intends to work closely with the police and the immigration department to curb the problem," added the deputy minister.

Earlier, Saravanan visited the Pudu market and found the cleanliness much to be desired.

He said he would seek an explanation from the Alam Flora Sdn Bhd management on why the market's cleanliness was below par.

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