Illegal Fish Stalls Demolished
By Azlan Othman

Bandar Seri Begawan - Enforcement officers from the Licensing and Operation Section of the BSB Municipal late Monday evening dismantled camps, wooden poles and umbrellas erected illegally by fish vendors, who have been operating for months at the Tamu Kianggeh- in the capital since the fish market near the water village was demolished.

Around 11 staff led- by their head and supervisors brought down illegal structures during the operation that began at 11.30pm (Monday) and ended at 12.20 midnight (Tuesday) at the Tamu on the banks of the Kianggeh River.

According to Hj Shamsul Bahri bin Hj Mohd ZamZam, Head of Enforcement and Head of Licensing Unit for Shops under BSB Municipal jurisdiction, the move was an answer to claims made in the Internet forum that the Municipal - Board was not doing anything to curb the activities.

"All the five camps, wooden poles and two umbrellas used to conduct businesses were brought down during the operation and plans are afoot to take the boats to the police station," he said.

"They just created their own business illegally at Tamu Kianggeh," Hj Shamsul added.

It was learnt that the operators violated two laws, one for operating without a licence in the area and the other for operating in a prohibited area.

According to miscellaneous licence, Chapter 127, those operating without a licence are liable to a fine of $10,000 according to Section 7 (Revised Edition 1984) and those who fail to abide by other rules and regulations in the act as stated in Section 43, (for operating in prohibited areas) will face a fine of $5,000.

Many fish vendors claimed that business at the Gadong wet market was not as good as it was in the capital, which led vendors to run their business in the area. In addition, not all residents, especially those living in Kg Ayer, have cars to go to the Gadong wet market.

The operation was conducted following a meeting held four days ago with senior officials at the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Another licensing officer said, "Licences will never be issued to operate in the area. Licences are given to them to operate only at the G adong wet market. Even a boat from Limbang was also seen in the area, with a person violating the social visit pass," he said.

Members of the public said the business of selling fish in the area reminded them of the good old days when 'Padian' or vendors wearing big hats and paddling elongated boats around Kg Ayer, sold fish and other daily items. -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

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