JALAN TAR CLOSURE TRIAL RUN ENDS
Businesses want authorities to address issues before making decision
WITH the closure of Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman to vehicles ending its first trial weekend yesterday, business operators and traders in the popular shopping area hope the authorities can address several issues before making any decision on the viability of such a move.
The 1km-stretch from Jalan Esfahan near Sogo to Jalan Melayu was closed to traffic during the weekend trial run.
A worker at a textile mall said although buses were allowed to ply the route, there had been some confusion in its implementation yesterday. She said many workers were dropped off at areas
far from the business premises.
“We applaud the move to close the road to vehicles as this would boost businesses in the long run. However, the elderly and the disabled, who make up a large number of our patrons, may not find it easy to move about.
“The railings at the pavements near the road, under the River of Life initiative, also hinder pedestrians from walking freely,” she told the New Straits Times.
Apparel shop First Lady’s senior floor manager Mohd Rizuan Zoher said business seemed unaffected by the road closure.
“We had 300 customers since morning, but it’s hard to say if the closure has any impact as business has been good in the last two weeks due to the end of the school holidays. Many people are also doing their Hari Raya shopping.”
Rizuan said a review of its business performance would be conducted during and after the trial period.
“However, we object to the move to relocate the Ramadan bazaar because this would affect our business as well,” he said.
For Sarah Hughes@ Globe, the closure had resulted in a marked drop in business.
“Usually, there is an increase in sales before Ramadan and Hari Raya, but we have not seen this yet. Also, many people claimed that they did not know about the closure,” said a personnel.
He said he supported the move to relocate the Ramadan bazaar from Lorong Tuanku Abdul Rahman to Jalan Raja as it would boost tourism.
“The area (Jalan Raja) needs to be revitalised with activities. At the moment, it is usually dead, and the area covered in bird droppings,” he said.
Business owner Jamilah Mohd Sahid, 45, said access roads and seating areas for senior citizens and those with limited physical movements to the area should be created.
“I hope City Hall can address these matters.
“On weekends, we see a lot of seniors, mainly those with knee problems who can't walk for a long period of time.
“Coupled with the hot weather, wouldn’t it be more practical to allow them to have access to some roads?” she asked.
Harrisons Malaysia Bhd general manager Bhavesh Patel said with the road closure, safety had become one of the major concerns for the public.
“The road closure has raised another issue, which is the safety of the people.
“We need to address how we can curb snatch thefts and mugging, since there are more people congregated in one area at one time,” he said.
Patel said he hoped the authorities could come up with a detailed plan for business operators and the public especially in the areas of safety, cleanliness and ambience.