60PC SAY ‘NO’ TO BAZAAR MOVE
They fear Sultan Abdul Samad building will be affected by pollution
AMAJORITY of those polled have objected to the relocation of the Ramadan bazaar from Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman (TAR) to Jalan Raja, where the Sultan Abdul Samad building is located.
Those opposing the plan mainly feared that the building could be affected by increased smoke and other forms of pollution.
Facebook user Nathalie Seroux said relocating the bazaar would
spoil the sights in Jalan Raja.
“As it is, the main road in front of the building is a mess at night, with cars parked everywhere.
“It is going to be worse with a Ramadan bazaar relocated there. The local council should strive to preserve our beautiful city, not destroy it,” she wrote on the New Straits Times Online Facebook page.
Another respondent, Nirmalah Thurai, wrote: “Please protect our heritage buildings. (The buildings) are already suffering from poor maintenance.”
Nj Ray said the Kuala Lumpur City Hall must ensure the site is maintained.
“The field (in Jalan Raja) is often damaged. Surely the City Hall can come up with another place to accommodate the bazaar. Even the road in front of City Hall building would be better,” he wrote.
While some recommended other locations for the bazaar, Vinesh Satkunanathan suggested that it be relocated to the Pudu Sentral bus station.
“What about the Puduraya Bus Station area? It would be a better location as passengers getting off the station can shop and eat at the stalls. The stall owners will profit,” he wrote.
Sashi Kumar said the bazaar should be relocated to Bukit Jalil to prevent litter from being strewn all over Jalan Raja.
“There will be haphazard parking, garbage and crowd. That is a historical place, not a pasar malam (night market) area. Relocate it to Bukit Jalil,” the post read.
The respondents had posted in the New Straits Times Online poll on whether the bazaar should be relocated.
About 61 per cent voiced their disapproval since the poll started on Saturday and ended about 7pm yesterday.
It was reported that the City Hall had planned to relocate the bazaar along a 200m stretch of marquee tents from the intersection of Saint Mary’s Cathedral to Lebuh Pasar Besar here.
Badan Warisan Malaysia president Elizabeth Cardosa also called on the City Hall to reconsider the plan.
She said the council should be aware of the heritage value of the square, which is surrounded by institutional buildings, including the street where historic events had taken place.