“We are not banning traders from outside of Penang completely. They are allowed to operate between February and May, or whenever the local council allows,” he told reporters at Komtar today.
He said the rule, which has been in place for more than five years, was introduced after appeals from the Penang Indian Chamber of Commerce.
Chow said the local traders had complained that Deepavali sales were being undermined by cheaper foreign goods sold at Indian pop-up fairs, often operated by non-residents.
He said many of these fairs did not go through the same red tape as traditional shops, including applying for proper permits or paying taxes, and often used Penangites as fronts for non-local or even foreign companies.
“Our Penang Indian businesses pay rent, pay interest (for their business), and not every month is a good month. They wait all year for Deepavali to carry out business.
“As a government, we must protect our local families,” he said, denying that the rules were anti-competitive or unconstitutional.
This follows public criticism over a viral video showing Seberang Perai City Council (MBSP) officers issuing fines to traders during an Indian-themed fair at a mall in Bukit Mertajam on July 9.
The officers were heard explaining that only Penang residents could sell such goods outside the set April to June window, or within 30 days before Deepavali.
The traders, including a Kuala Lumpur-based organiser, appeared confused by the enforcement, questioning why they could not conduct their business when they were registered with the Companies Commission of Malaysia and were Malaysians.
Critics, including former MBSP councillor David Marshel and Batu Uban assemblyman A Kumaresan, questioned the legality of the policy and warned that it could send the wrong message about Penang’s openness to fair trade.
They asked the state to review the rule and consider more inclusive ways to support local businesses without shutting others out.
Cops visit Penang Development Corp in MBI probe
Separately, Chow confirmed that Penang Development Corporation (PDC) is assisting police and the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission in their investigation into the now-defunct MBI investment scheme.
The investigation focuses on whether payments made for land at Bayan Mutiara between 2011 and 2019 were linked to money laundering.
According to a PDC briefing note given to reporters by Chow’s office today, Bukit Aman’s anti-money laundering special task force visited PDC on July 9 and requested meeting minutes and financial documents related to land sold to Mutiara Metropolis Sdn Bhd, formerly known as Tropicana Ivory Sdn Bhd.
PDC submitted the documents on July 18 and said it acted in accordance with due process.
It also said four agreements were signed over the years for the Penang World City project, with reclamation works now 68% complete and overall project progress at 44%.
Chow also said the state government’s Penang2030 policy framework was on track, with 80% of its key targets already met.
He said long-term projects like the Mutiara LRT line and Silicon Island were still moving forward and will be considered part of the completed targets once approvals are in place.