THE Portuguese in Malacca fear that outsiders are abusing the system to take over their businesses in their settlement.

Such an “invasion” would soon end their long-held culture and tradition, they said.

These outsiders are abusing the loopholes in the system to operate restaurants in the Portuguese settlement food court in Ujong Pasir, built by the Malacca Historic City Council (MBMB).

The settlement’s regedor or cultural headman, Peter Thomas Gomes, told The Malaysian Insight that these outsiders use the “Alibaba” method to go around the law.

“The new operator makes an agreement with the original operator (who is a descendant) through a lawyer. The latter them remains a sleeping partner for the new operator to prevent MBMB from finding out about the arrangement.

“By right, they can’t sell or sublet the shop to others because the place belongs to the city council.

“So, they use such loopholes to their advantage to bypass the agreement made with the MBMB,” Gomes told The Malaysian Insight.

Such deals have severely affected other legitimate Malaysian Portuguese restaurant operators, he said, as they’re slowly destroying their heritage.

He accepts that there are no clauses in the MBMB agreement stating that restaurants can only be operated by Portuguese descendants but blames some of his own people for “selling out” to the outsiders.

“We have people here who have passed down their business from generation to generation. They know the value of our heritage.

“And then there are some who can’t compete businesswise, so they decide to sublet their shops to others. This affects the rice bowl of our people because our own people will lose jobs. What happens next is that slowly our heritage also would be gone,” said Gomes.

Kg Portugis Community Management Council (MPKK) chairman Jacinta Lazaroo also echoed Gomes’ view, saying that their own people have been letting them down by giving the shops to outsiders.

Lazaroo said huge sums of money have changed hands, adding that they are powerless to take any action. Those who “sold” the businesses ≈should return the money, she said, or the state government should intervene and resolve the issue as the new operators are not easy to deal with.

“Our own people are to be blamed. If they don’t give them permission, how can the new operators have access? They cannot do business here if our people don’t allow (it).

“These new operators are not easy to deal with. They are tough and stubborn people. If we step in, we are in danger. So, who took the money should return it and take back the shop or the state government should step in to resolve this,” said the 56-year old, who is the first woman village head.

For restaurant operator Gerard Danker, outsiders should not be allowed to operate businesses at the settlement, saying that the local Portuguese descendants should be given exclusive rights.

Danker said it’s fine if the business is given to a family member or another member of their community but definitely not to an outsider.

“The Chinese have Jonker Street, the Malays have Dataran Pahlawan, the Indians have Little India and we, who are a small community, only have this. Even that is being deprived now.

“If they want to give the shops to other Portuguese here, we are fine. But definitely not to those who are not Portuguese.

“What is the purpose of others having their shops at our settlement? People who come here, should experience and know the life, culture and heritage of the Malaysian Portuguese,” said Danker.

The Malaysian Insight found that at least four restaurants in the food court now being occupied by non-Portuguese operators.

Gomes said there are proper ways to surrender a business by going through the city council as stipulated in the agreement.

The council can then open a new tender to others within the Portuguese community, he said, adding that MBMB could also get recommendations from MPKK to whom a slot should go.

Alternatively, Gomes suggests allowing MPKK to take over the administrative work for the restaurants in the settlement, thus permitting it to be completely in charge of all related affairs.

“Those who can’t or are not willing to continue their businesses can actually return the shop to MBMB. There are many others in our community who are interested to run the businesses here.

“Another option is for MBMB to allow MPKK to be in charge of all these restaurants. MPKK will then select its operators through open tender. They will collect the rents and pay to the city council, handle maintenance and other work. This would reduce the problems here,” Gomes said.

Lazaroo, Gomes and Danker all said that they want the MBMB to take stern action against those found guilty. They said the council should revoke the licences of the offenders. – December 24, 2019.