BAZAAR BLAZE
Proposal to move affected traders to Jalan TAR depends on the majority decision
TRADERS affected by an early-morning fire that destroyed 30 stalls at the bazaar in Jalan Masjid India here yesterday have been offered a temporary place at Lorong Tuanku Abdul Rahman 3 or 5 (Jalan TAR 3/Jalan TAR 5).
Kuala Lumpur Mayor Datuk Nor Hisham Ahmad Dahlan, who visited the location yesterday, said the move, however, depended on the decision of the majority of traders.
He said they had been advised to discuss with their associations before deciding on the proposal.
“If they do not agree, they can give us suggestions,” he said, adding that only locals would be considered for the relocation.
Nor Hisham said unaffected traders would not be allowed to use the premises in Jalan Masjid India for business until an investigation by the Kuala Lumpur Fire and Rescue Department and renovation works by DBKL were completed.
During the fire, stalls selling garments, bags and shoes were
completely razed.
Fire and Rescue Department senior operations commander L. Logeswaran said an emergency call was received at 1.35am and teams from Sentul, Hang Tuah, Titiwangsa and Pudu fire stations were despatched to the site.
“We put out the fire at 2.04am,” he said.
Ramadan bazaar traders in Jalan Raja have expressed their dissatisfaction at Nor Hisham’s suggestion.
Perfume seller Rahmat Norazmi, 28, said the suggestion breached the agreement that they had made when they relocated the traders from Jalan TAR to Jalan Raja.
“They promised us that no businesses would be allowed to operate in Jalan TAR. Now, they are reneging on their promise and this is unfair to us.
“I understand that their intention is to help traders affected by the fire but they can always do that by relocating them to Jalan Raja.”
He said even if the traders from Jalan Masjid India were relocated to Jalan TAR temporarily, many “Rambo traders” (illegal traders) would use this opportunity to set up stalls there as well.
“Can DBKL give the assurance that no Rambo traders would be present in Jalan TAR and take advantage of the situation?”
Cookies and snacks seller Nur Safidatul Ain Mat Nasir, 30, echoed Rahmat’s sentiments.
He said DBKL should keep its promise of not allowing any Ramadan stalls to operate in Jalan TAR.
“Even if there is a need to relocate, why Jalan TAR? Why not place them with us in Jalan Raja?
“Although only 30 traders were affected by the fire, placing them at the once-popular street, among festive shoppers would help them woo bigger crowds. This is unfair to us.”