Aliens Encroach On Locals' Mart
Asri Razak

Bandar Seri Begawan - Trading rules at the Sengkurong Pasar Tani market have been abused, with licenses issued exclusively for locals falling in the hands of foreign nationals.

Unabated, the practice has defeated the purpose of the market and local farmers dependent on its operations are now losing out to foreign traders who also break rules separating wholesale sellers from retailers.

Local traders interviewed by The Brunei Times said they were calling on the government to quickly act on the matter before they lose their livelihood.

"The local traders had meetings to try come up with a solution that is beneficial for everyone. We have referred it to the authorities but to date no ac-n tion has been taken,". Said farmer Alihan Alias.

A license to operate at the market is issued to local farmers by the Labour Department with prior approval from the Agriculture Department. The objective is to allow local farmers direct access to buyers.

But some unscrupulous individuals who originally obtained the licenses at $75 each sell them to foreigners at $500 apiece, the farmers claimed.

Mr Alihan, who owns a lot at the market selling vegetables he grows at a two-hectare land, said such, irresponsible act is akin to pouing sand in the local farmers rice bowl.

"There is a huge sign on the rules of the trade at the market. It among others states that the traders must have their own farms and are only allowed to sell their own produce.

"Look around. Majority of the traders here are foreigners. Obviously the rules have been broken," he told' The Brunei Times. Other local traders who declined to be named expressed similar dissatisfaction.

"They break all the rules which protect the farmers' interests," said one trader.

On Saturday, MrAlihan raised a similar concern at a motivation seminar for farmers .at the Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources office.

Ministry officials have assured that the problems would be addressed.

Speaking on the local traders' predicament, Mr Alihan said it is very unfair to make the locals compete with those who do not sell their own produce.

"We work hard to earn a living. We tend our farms so that we have quality produce.

"They (the foreigners) buy the crops from others and have little to consider when setting their price," he said.Some. farmers and traders here are not earning a living in the Islamic way of life or in adherence to 'halal' concepts, Mr Alihan lamented.

Traders at the wholesale section of the market are also charging prices that compete with those of retailers. He said local traders earn only an average of $25 a day.

'We could do a lot better if the foreigners are not around, "he said.

A visit at the market showed that most of the outlets were operated by foreigners - mainly Indonesians and Bangladeshis.

Attempts to seek clarifications from these foreign traders failed. Officials of the relevant agencies could not be contacted over the weekend. -- Courtesy of The Brunei Times

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