Street vendors in Penampang are feeling the pinch as the new Uniform Licensing Fee Structure drives up their operational costs.

The bylaw, approved in 2022, calculates fees based on business size, but vendors say their charges remain unchanged.

Political secretary Pritchard Gumbaris, after meeting traders in Donggongon, said many are shocked by the RM180 monthly fee, totaling RM2,160 a year.

Some vendors renting spaces in eateries pay an extra RM300 to RM400 monthly, pushing total costs to nearly RM7,000 annually.

“This is an exorbitant amount for small vendors. The Penampang Council is already profiting from the new licensing fees, yet smaller traders get no relief,” he said.

He urged the Local Government and Housing Ministry to revise street vendor fees, calling it unfair that businesses pay as little as RM215 annually while vendors shoulder over RM2,000.

Gumbaris backed Darell Leiking’s call for a town hall to discuss the bylaw and ensure business owners are heard.

He questioned if the bylaw was fully endorsed and whether councillors, mostly from DAP, UPKO, and PGRS, consulted businesses before agreeing to it.

“The focus should be on making Penampang business-friendly, not driving traders away,” he said.

With basic infrastructure still lacking, Pritchard wants the council to postpone the bylaw until town halls are held and street vendor fees are reassessed. – Feb 13, 2025