Keropok traders taking a beating over cholera fears

2009/11/23

By Sean Augustin

KUALA TERENGGANU: Keropok lekor entrepreneurs here are worried that their industry will be affected after the Health Ministry reported that the crackers was among the sources of the cholera outbreak in the state. A trader, whose keropok lekor stall is among the top tourist attractions here, is worried that the already sluggish business would get even slower because of the report.

Mohd Muda, 55, said most of his customers have asked if his products were safe for consumption.

"I have no choice but to give a detailed explanation. I reckon it will have a huge effect not only on the industry but tourism as well for the next six months," he told the New Straits Times.

On Saturday, Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said fish samples taken from two cracker factories here tested positive for the vibrio cholerae bacteria.

The contaminated fish could have been brought in from a neighbouring country through the Chendering fisheries complex which supplies fish to Kuala Terengganu and Marang.

Muda, who has been running his stall for a decade, said he was going to suggest to the Keropok Losong Association to cooperate with the state Health Department to issue a notice to reassure the public that the fish crackers were safe to consume.

Another trader, Mohd Shahrani Omar, said since the news reports business had taken a slight dip.

He said normally about 80 per cent of his products would be sold off by 3pm, but yesterday he had only sold 50 per cent.

"I hope the health authorities will come up with a quick solution," Shahrani said.

When contacted, state Health department Director Dr Nordiyanah Hassan said the department had given the keropok lekor entrepreneurs a special briefing on the issue yesterday.