New Stalls in Petaling Street Raise Concerns
Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) has been called upon to look into the sudden appearance of eight new stalls in the Petaling Street area. These traders have emerged following the completion of the third and fourth phases of the Petaling Street upgrading project earlier this month. The issue has sparked concerns among local traders, who believe that these new stalls may be operating without proper licensing.
Datuk Seri Ang Say Tee, chairman of the Kuala Lumpur Hawkers and Petty Traders Association, highlighted the situation. He mentioned that the upgrading project is currently in its sixth and final phase. After the third and fourth phases, which affected the middle section of Petaling Street, regular traders reported that new stalls had appeared along the same stretch. This led some of the existing traders to relocate to the end of the road.
Ang stated that the association has expressed its concern to DBKL, emphasizing that the current number of 773 stalls is already sufficient. He explained that the new traders initially operated only during the night hours but later started opening at different times after complaints from nearby traders.
The association has also reached out to Bukit Bintang MP Fong Kui Lun to address the matter. Ang stressed that the association will not tolerate any attempts by traders outside of Petaling Street to dominate or pressure local traders.
Upgrading Project Progress
The ongoing upgrading works are expected to be completed by December 15. Currently, a portion of Petaling Street, including the entrance at Jalan Sultan, is cordoned off to allow for the necessary improvements. Completed changes to the area include a new colorful roof and more durable stall structures.
Despite the concerns about the new stalls, Ang noted that many traders are pleased with the upgrades and have praised DBKL for the improvements made so far. However, he pointed out that the upgrading works do not cover Jalan Hang Lekir. Traders in that area hope for similar improvements, but DBKL has stated that it lacks the funds to proceed with the project.
In response, the association plans to seek financial support from the Housing and Local Government Ministry to facilitate the upgrades on Jalan Hang Lekir.
Ongoing Issues and Calls for Action
As of now, DBKL has not provided any official comments on the matter. The situation highlights the need for continued dialogue between local traders, the association, and city authorities to ensure that the interests of all stakeholders are protected.
The emergence of new stalls raises important questions about regulation, fair competition, and the long-term sustainability of the street market. It remains to be seen how DBKL will respond to these concerns and whether further actions will be taken to address the issues raised by the traders.
For now, the focus remains on ensuring that the upgrading project benefits all traders while maintaining the integrity and vibrancy of Petaling Street.