Khmer takeaway taken away

On the move... Owner-operator Phy Sem may return to Cambodia with her husband after the Dunedin City Council terminated the contract for her Khmer Satay Away Octagon stall.

By HAMISH MCNEILLY
Thursday, 8th May 2008

A COUPLE who fled the Khmer Rouge regime in the 1980s might return to Cambodia after the Dunedin City Council decided to ‘‘terminate the contract’’ for their Khmer Satay-Away stall.

‘‘I can’t speak. I feel very upset,’’ Phy Sem said.

Mrs Sem (54) had operated the stall at the corner of George St and the lower Octagon for more than 10 years, while her husband, Song Sem (59), worked part-time at the couple’s other Satay-Away stall at the university.

While the stall at the university was still permitted to operate in the area, Mr Sem had decided to close it ‘‘because the council do not care about us’’.

Council environmental health team leader Ros MacGill said the contract between the council and the Satay-Away stall was to have ended next month, but the termination was brought forward because of ‘‘health issues’’.

The DCC issued the Octagon stall with a D rating in February and ‘‘it was one of the factors that helped me make the decision to close the stall earlier than expected’’.

The couple pay $6500 to the council annually to operate the stall.

The DCC sent the couple a letter in March informing them of their decision. However, they did not receive the letter as they had returned to Cambodia to care for Mrs Sem’s mother.

On their return this month, Mrs Sem opened the stall as usual, only to be told by the DCC it was meant to be closed as of April 7.

The couple were offered other areas in the city in which to operate the stall, including the Exchange, the museum, St Clair and Kettle Park.

Ms MacGill said the stall would have to meet current standards before a contract could be granted.

In 2002, the DCC decided to review street stalls in the Octagon, but with year-round alfresco dining available, the Khmer Satay stall was no longer required in the area she said.

In a letter to the Otago Daily Times, Phy and Song Sem said they would like to express their thanks to their loyal customers.

The couple fled the Khmer Rouge, arriving as refugees in New Zealand in 1983, settling in Dunedin where they have lived for 25 years.

Mr Sem worked at the now closed Methven factory for 14 years, while Mrs Sem looked after their four children and also worked at the now closed Distinctive Knitwear.

Opening the Satay-Away stall 10 years ago, they became a regular fixture at their site working mainly noon to 2pm and 1am to 5am on Saturday and Sunday mornings.