KUCHING: Kuching City South Council (MBKS) has denied allegations that Kuching Food Festival stalls are being given free to the Chinese.
Mayor Datuk Wee Hong Seng said the rental had been set and it was the same as previous years.
“I don’t know whether or not this allegation was done intentionally but please don’t spoil the harmony in Sarawak. Nobody has the right to do that.
“There’s no such thing as the Chinese not having to pay rental because once it is fixed, everybody has to pay,” he stressed.
Wee spoke to the media after the handover of Clean Toilet Campaign certificates here on Wednesday (May 11).
He added that MBKS still maintained the same prices as before and had tried to reduce unnecessary expenses to ensure that food sold would be affordable.
“MBKS is also in talks with vendors to offer affordable food during the festival.
“Besides, the canopy rental this time has also been increased by the supplier but we still maintain the price of the site rental. This is one of our ways to assist them.”
He explained that the Ramadan Bazaar organised by MBKS did not charge rental because it was fully sponsored by eight corporate companies.
“Those eight corporate companies sponsored the rental of the sites so I can’t charge fees.
“For a festival like this, it is a food festival and with the number of people coming, it is a commercial platform for vendors to generate income. Therefore, we charge rental at a reasonable price.”
Wee also stated that the rental for the stall site was also in accordance with the festival.
“This is because, within a month of organising this festival, we have to take into account the cost of electricity and water throughout the festival.”
