I wanna give a shout out to the Crap Hawker Chairman.
Who are you trying to fool?
You never eaten in KL or even Butterworth for that matter before is it?
One bowl in KL is equivalent to 5 bowls on Penang island,3 at Butterworth
and it doesn't even cost as much,you Vampire.
Penangites,if you can, don't let them get away with it.
If we so much as take the first step and cut down on eating out,it will affect them where it hurts most,cos after all if they were to rely on visitors,they couldn't survive.
Many ikan bakar stalls have folded already because we quit patronising them as often,once they hiked their prices too high.
Remember this....WE are their core customers,their bread and butter.
If they want to kill themselves,let's give those cocky bastards a helping hand.
Call the Department of Domestic Trade,Cooperative and Consumerism Ministry(Penang Branch) enforcement hotline at 1800-886-800.
Fill up a form at their website or turn up in person at their office's enforcement division at the office above the GPO.
You may complain against hawkers that fail to show their prices.
Believe me,don't listen to what others tell you that it is a waste of time,this department will give them hell.
Do take note that they might look like they will not take you seriously (cos of the ala relekler attitude) especially if you are prone to dramatic and emotional outbursts.
Keep your cool,provide your details and they will contact you as to the course of action they have taken.Yes,really,they really do that.
Yea,so I guess if any of you thought that I just blatantly shoot my mouth off without being substantiated by any cold hard facts,there it is for you.""Smaller Portions,Shocking Prices"so said The Star newspaper's northern edition today.
People,diners even visitors....DO remember everything from the price to the portion served.
Have received some feedback for my earlier post regarding this issue,that some restaurant owners have gone to the extent of changing their price list so that you the customer will be confused or fooled into thinking that it is the same price as before.Most times the price list is in exactly the same place,as well a close replica of the original so we won't suspect if we aren't regulars.
Look out for unusually clean looking boards.The prices have likely been scaling some mountains to the point of no return.
Anyway,when it comes to cooking indoors,the wetmarket traders are no better either.
In case you don't know where to go,here are a few suggestions as to where you may try,followed by those you should not patronise.
Am compiling a vegetable traders sample only.As for hypermarts,the one with the sun logo used to be good but nowadays it is highly likely that you get veges that look good on the outside but rotten to the core on the inside.Even worse when it comes to the one near e-gate.Haven't bought from Billion before,but it is very popular judging from the size of its crowds.
I don't trawl the Pulau Tikus,Anson Road nor Bayan Lepas markets,as such they are not included here.
DIRT CHEAP VEGES
1. CHEAPEST
Macallum Street Ghaut wholesale market (this is only if you dare cos you need to come here like after 10pm,the prices of veges are unbelievable but you have to buy in a larger quantity,even though it looks like a gangsters den)
2.CHEAPER
Mount Erskine market (this you may come during the day up till 5pm.Chefs from various hotels and restaurants actually pick up their ingredients from the wholesaler that occupies the corner lot that's almost right at the back.Do be informed that the pricing scale here goes like this....the newest arrivals are the most expensive.The more days it spends at her stall,the lower the prices go.Also if you get the younger skinny girl to do the math,it will be higher than the old woman)
3.MODERATE
Tanjong Bungah market (morning only,best to go before 11am.When you enter the market from the front,keep to the left and look out for 3 men or more running a stall)
4.DEPENDING ON HIS MOOD
A very old man inside the chowrasta market near the beef/mutton section.He runs the stall alone and mostly hawks condiments needed for spicy dishes and ulams.This one stays open till 2 or 3pm and he knows how to advice you honestly with regards to price,taste and spiceometer if you are undecided whether to take the expensive local ginger or the china ones.
SKY HIGH VEGES
1.CUT THROAT
Tanjong Bungah market also (the ones in the middle lane of the market that stay open till 1 or 2 pm)
2..BLOOD SUCKER
Seventh Road market (yea,surprise,surprise,even though it is a stones throw away from Macallum St Ght, meats sold here are moderately priced and cooked noodles so dirt cheap,it is even cheaper to buy veges from Gama than here.So AVOID the stalls that have women and kids coaxing you to buy from them.These stalls are located nearer to where the roast pork and duck sellers are)
3.EXPENSIVE
Batu Lancang market (all the stalls that are NOT run by extremely old looking men and very old ladies,are relatively expensive)
4.SLAUGHTER
Chowrasta market (there is a trader that operates at the roadside and stays open till 3 or 4pm in the afternoon.The lady speaks good English and will 'forwarn'you that 'you are not under any pressure to buy'from her)
Here's the article plucked from The Star
-----------------------------------------------------------
Oh Dear,So Dear! (Edmund Ngo & Ian Mcintyre)
PRICES of Penang’s hawker food and drinks have remained unusually high, and served portions remain small even after the Chinese New Year festive season, according to several customers.
Management consultant Gavin Khoo, 37, said he was shocked to find a bowl of Hokkien mee costs RM4.50 compared with RM4 previously even though it was a small portion at a coffeeshop on Burmah Road.
“It is not just the noodles. Three pieces of chee chong fun (rice noodle rolls) are priced at RM4 and even a cup of Chrysanthemum tea costs RM1.50 at a hawker centre near Macalister Road,” he grumbled.
Khoo, a Penangite who stays in Kuala Lumpur, said he returned to the state often and had noticed the steeper price even after the Chinese New Year.
Engineer Richard Lim, 36, who works in Hong Kong, had the same experience when he patronised a coffeeshop along Penang Road.
“I was there two weeks ago and I was completely shocked to pay RM1.70 for a cup of ice barley, which I know is usually RM1.
“Penang’s reputation as a food haven that offers delicious and affordable food could be marred by the price hike,” he added.
Penang Hawkers Association chairman Lam Tong Ying had on Jan 11 announced that food prices would be 20% to 30% more expensive during the first three days of the Lunar New Year but would decrease after that.
The festive season is long over, but the prices have still not come down. The price hike ranged from 50 sen to RM1 for food items and 10 sen to 50 sen for drinks.
Lam, when contacted, was adamant the high prices were inevitable as raw ingredients and necessities such as cooking gas and petrol remained expensive.
“The prices are still high for example, vegetables such as lady’s finger now costs RM7 per kg compared with RM2 per kg last year,” he said.
He said the high price was not confined to Penang alone as hawkers in Kuala Lumpur had also raised their prices and kept the serving portions small to make a living.
Penang Restaurants and Teashops Association chairman Vinah Yee said her members had not increased their prices but expressed concern over more expensive ingredients.
“If ingredients and necessities such as cooking gas continues to increase, our members would be forced to increase their prices ranging from 20% to 30%,” she said.
Domestic Trade, Cooperative and Consumerism Ministry (Penang branch) enforcement chief M. Guna Selan said prepared food prices were not controlled by authorities compared with controlled ingredients.
“We can only ensure hawkers display their prices clearly to consumers under the Price Control Act 1946, so they are not easily misled,” he said.
He said hawkers should not take advantage of the situation and resort to profiteering while consumers could call the department’s hotline 1-800-886-800 to complain against hawkers who failed to show their prices.
Penang Religious Affairs, Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Committee chairman Abdul Malik Abul Kassim said it was difficult to monitor prices and stressed the need for hawkers to refrain from any increase.
“Consumers can choose not to patronise or boycott such stalls as this is their right,” he said.
He said complaints of exorbitant prices could also be directed to the Consumers Tribunal provided there was a receipt.
Consumers Association of Penang president S. M. Mohamed Idris encouraged consumers to cook their own food whenever possible as this was a cheaper option than eating out.
“Hawkers need to make a living but they should not make excessive profits as consumers’ wages have not increased,” he said.
He said if consumers felt that prices were unreasonable, they could opt to eat at another place.
Who are you trying to fool?
You never eaten in KL or even Butterworth for that matter before is it?
One bowl in KL is equivalent to 5 bowls on Penang island,3 at Butterworth
and it doesn't even cost as much,you Vampire.
Penangites,if you can, don't let them get away with it.
If we so much as take the first step and cut down on eating out,it will affect them where it hurts most,cos after all if they were to rely on visitors,they couldn't survive.
Many ikan bakar stalls have folded already because we quit patronising them as often,once they hiked their prices too high.
Remember this....WE are their core customers,their bread and butter.
If they want to kill themselves,let's give those cocky bastards a helping hand.
Call the Department of Domestic Trade,Cooperative and Consumerism Ministry(Penang Branch) enforcement hotline at 1800-886-800.
Fill up a form at their website or turn up in person at their office's enforcement division at the office above the GPO.
You may complain against hawkers that fail to show their prices.
Believe me,don't listen to what others tell you that it is a waste of time,this department will give them hell.
Do take note that they might look like they will not take you seriously (cos of the ala relekler attitude) especially if you are prone to dramatic and emotional outbursts.
Keep your cool,provide your details and they will contact you as to the course of action they have taken.Yes,really,they really do that.
Yea,so I guess if any of you thought that I just blatantly shoot my mouth off without being substantiated by any cold hard facts,there it is for you.""Smaller Portions,Shocking Prices"so said The Star newspaper's northern edition today.
People,diners even visitors....DO remember everything from the price to the portion served.
Have received some feedback for my earlier post regarding this issue,that some restaurant owners have gone to the extent of changing their price list so that you the customer will be confused or fooled into thinking that it is the same price as before.Most times the price list is in exactly the same place,as well a close replica of the original so we won't suspect if we aren't regulars.
Look out for unusually clean looking boards.The prices have likely been scaling some mountains to the point of no return.
Anyway,when it comes to cooking indoors,the wetmarket traders are no better either.
In case you don't know where to go,here are a few suggestions as to where you may try,followed by those you should not patronise.
Am compiling a vegetable traders sample only.As for hypermarts,the one with the sun logo used to be good but nowadays it is highly likely that you get veges that look good on the outside but rotten to the core on the inside.Even worse when it comes to the one near e-gate.Haven't bought from Billion before,but it is very popular judging from the size of its crowds.
I don't trawl the Pulau Tikus,Anson Road nor Bayan Lepas markets,as such they are not included here.
DIRT CHEAP VEGES
1. CHEAPEST
Macallum Street Ghaut wholesale market (this is only if you dare cos you need to come here like after 10pm,the prices of veges are unbelievable but you have to buy in a larger quantity,even though it looks like a gangsters den)
2.CHEAPER
Mount Erskine market (this you may come during the day up till 5pm.Chefs from various hotels and restaurants actually pick up their ingredients from the wholesaler that occupies the corner lot that's almost right at the back.Do be informed that the pricing scale here goes like this....the newest arrivals are the most expensive.The more days it spends at her stall,the lower the prices go.Also if you get the younger skinny girl to do the math,it will be higher than the old woman)
3.MODERATE
Tanjong Bungah market (morning only,best to go before 11am.When you enter the market from the front,keep to the left and look out for 3 men or more running a stall)
4.DEPENDING ON HIS MOOD
A very old man inside the chowrasta market near the beef/mutton section.He runs the stall alone and mostly hawks condiments needed for spicy dishes and ulams.This one stays open till 2 or 3pm and he knows how to advice you honestly with regards to price,taste and spiceometer if you are undecided whether to take the expensive local ginger or the china ones.
SKY HIGH VEGES
1.CUT THROAT
Tanjong Bungah market also (the ones in the middle lane of the market that stay open till 1 or 2 pm)
2..BLOOD SUCKER
Seventh Road market (yea,surprise,surprise,even though it is a stones throw away from Macallum St Ght, meats sold here are moderately priced and cooked noodles so dirt cheap,it is even cheaper to buy veges from Gama than here.So AVOID the stalls that have women and kids coaxing you to buy from them.These stalls are located nearer to where the roast pork and duck sellers are)
3.EXPENSIVE
Batu Lancang market (all the stalls that are NOT run by extremely old looking men and very old ladies,are relatively expensive)
4.SLAUGHTER
Chowrasta market (there is a trader that operates at the roadside and stays open till 3 or 4pm in the afternoon.The lady speaks good English and will 'forwarn'you that 'you are not under any pressure to buy'from her)
Here's the article plucked from The Star
-----------------------------------------------------------
Oh Dear,So Dear! (Edmund Ngo & Ian Mcintyre)
PRICES of Penang’s hawker food and drinks have remained unusually high, and served portions remain small even after the Chinese New Year festive season, according to several customers.
Management consultant Gavin Khoo, 37, said he was shocked to find a bowl of Hokkien mee costs RM4.50 compared with RM4 previously even though it was a small portion at a coffeeshop on Burmah Road.
“It is not just the noodles. Three pieces of chee chong fun (rice noodle rolls) are priced at RM4 and even a cup of Chrysanthemum tea costs RM1.50 at a hawker centre near Macalister Road,” he grumbled.
Khoo, a Penangite who stays in Kuala Lumpur, said he returned to the state often and had noticed the steeper price even after the Chinese New Year.
Engineer Richard Lim, 36, who works in Hong Kong, had the same experience when he patronised a coffeeshop along Penang Road.
“I was there two weeks ago and I was completely shocked to pay RM1.70 for a cup of ice barley, which I know is usually RM1.
“Penang’s reputation as a food haven that offers delicious and affordable food could be marred by the price hike,” he added.
Penang Hawkers Association chairman Lam Tong Ying had on Jan 11 announced that food prices would be 20% to 30% more expensive during the first three days of the Lunar New Year but would decrease after that.
The festive season is long over, but the prices have still not come down. The price hike ranged from 50 sen to RM1 for food items and 10 sen to 50 sen for drinks.
Lam, when contacted, was adamant the high prices were inevitable as raw ingredients and necessities such as cooking gas and petrol remained expensive.
“The prices are still high for example, vegetables such as lady’s finger now costs RM7 per kg compared with RM2 per kg last year,” he said.
He said the high price was not confined to Penang alone as hawkers in Kuala Lumpur had also raised their prices and kept the serving portions small to make a living.
Penang Restaurants and Teashops Association chairman Vinah Yee said her members had not increased their prices but expressed concern over more expensive ingredients.
“If ingredients and necessities such as cooking gas continues to increase, our members would be forced to increase their prices ranging from 20% to 30%,” she said.
Domestic Trade, Cooperative and Consumerism Ministry (Penang branch) enforcement chief M. Guna Selan said prepared food prices were not controlled by authorities compared with controlled ingredients.
“We can only ensure hawkers display their prices clearly to consumers under the Price Control Act 1946, so they are not easily misled,” he said.
He said hawkers should not take advantage of the situation and resort to profiteering while consumers could call the department’s hotline 1-800-886-800 to complain against hawkers who failed to show their prices.
Penang Religious Affairs, Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Committee chairman Abdul Malik Abul Kassim said it was difficult to monitor prices and stressed the need for hawkers to refrain from any increase.
“Consumers can choose not to patronise or boycott such stalls as this is their right,” he said.
He said complaints of exorbitant prices could also be directed to the Consumers Tribunal provided there was a receipt.
Consumers Association of Penang president S. M. Mohamed Idris encouraged consumers to cook their own food whenever possible as this was a cheaper option than eating out.
“Hawkers need to make a living but they should not make excessive profits as consumers’ wages have not increased,” he said.
He said if consumers felt that prices were unreasonable, they could opt to eat at another place.
