THE bazaar along Jalan Melayu/Jalan Masjid India in Kuala Lumpur needs improvement if they are to emulate their more well-known counterpart — Petaling Street, where traders are more organised as they come under one association.
It is learnt that there are five or six different groups that ‘oversee’ the traders at the bazaar in Jalan Masjid India although it is technically managed by the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL).
Not all of these groups are said to be registered and it is claimed that they have different agendas.
Choices aplenty: Patrons walking along the row of stalls at Jalan Masjid India bazaar. Recently, StarMetro spoke to a few traders who are hoping for bigger crowds like those in Petaling Street. However, a visit there on Sunday suggested that there was no shortage of visitors, probably due to the ongoing Ramadan bazaar.
Many traders seemed to be content with the way things are, but some insisted that more can be done to improve the situation.
The plastic roofing constructed high above the trading stalls suggests that a lot of money had been invested into this project. And the RM200 rent is not too much of a burden for the traders.
Trader Ayu Hassan said the DBKL had provided the kiosks and let them trade for free for the past four years. However, the DBKL started rent collection in June.
Not aggressive enough: Mohammad Ali laments that the traders at Jalan Masjid India/ Jalan Melayu are not as hardworking as those in Petaling Street “I think the fee is still reasonable, as the DBKL has provided us with electricity supply to light up the area at night. They also carry out patrols to ensure only local traders with valid licences do business here,” said Ayu, 44, who sells slippers and sandals.
She said the groups overseeing the bazaar at Jalan Melayu/Jalan Masjid India were not doing much for them as opposed to the one in Petaling Street. Hence, this could be the reason why many people still prefer to go to Petaling Street.
“But the prices of goods are slightly cheaper here than at Petaling Street, as we get the goods from various suppliers. And quality-wise, ours are no less inferior,” said Ayu, who has been operating her stall for over 10 years.
Trader Mohammad Ali, 21, who sells accessories, opined that the bazaar can be as good as Petaling Street if only traders were more hardworking.
“However, many here just don’t work as hard as traders in Petaling Street who work three shifts until midnight.
Ayu: ‘The prices of goods here are slightly cheaper than at Petaling Street, as we get the goods from various suppliers.’ “Here, most only operate from 10am to 9pm, after which they would close. Those in charge of the bazaar area not doing much to promote this place,” said Mohammad Ali, who took over his dad’s business three years ago.
Trader Mud Jaafar, 25, who works at a kiosk selling jerseys and bags, said business has been good so far.
“There’s a Malay saying that we must be patient. But there are people buying from us every day so we are able to cover the rental fees,” he said.
Dutch tourists Joost Volmer, 26, and his wife Jolanda, 25, said Petaling Street had more varieties of goods.
“However, traders over in Petaling Street are very aggressive to the extent of forcing us to buy stuff. If we had called for a price and walked away, they would be angry.
“Here, the traders are more relaxed where they stand in front of their own stalls instead of approaching customers. We like the environment here which is not too stressful,” said Jolanda, who is in Malaysia for two weeks.
Mud: ‘Business has been good so far.’ British tourists Caettin Bateman, 21, and Amy Taylor, 21, who were shopping for make-up kits, said they came to know about this bazaar from their Lonely Planet guidebook.
“There are more choices of make-up here compared to Petaling Street,” said Taylor adding that the walkway was wider than in Petaling Street.
“I know the make-up is fake but I bought it because it is cheap,’’ said Taylor, who is visiting Malaysia for a week.
Roslan Aton, 33 said goods here were cheaper by about 10% to 15%.
But his wife Zanariah Wasuli, 33, who is a regular visitor to Petaling Street, said the goods there had more quality and it kept up with the times.
“I would be able to find any latest product, clothes or electronic stuff there with ease. Unlike the things here, every trader there is very competitive,” she said while doing Hari Raya shopping with her family.
Roslan added that in order for traders here to attract more tourists, they have to be aggressive and to walk out of the stalls to find customers.
“Customers like us want to be treated right and demand service. Only when traders here have this type of attitude, then this place could attract more tourist and be more like Petaling Street,” he said.
Some traders who wished to stay anonymous have also alleged that there are ‘people’ collecting additional money from them other than the monthly rental fee that they pay to DBKL.
One trader said he would just pay when these ‘extra’ money are being asked of him.
DBKL corporate communications manager Anwar Mohd Zain said there are some 143 legal traders at this site.
“If there are people trading illegally, the DBKL will confiscate and seal their goods,” he said.
On the extortion of money as alleged, Anwar said the DBKL was not aware of claims that there were parties charging the traders extra fees.
“The DBKL only charges a fee of RM200 a month to all traders as utility expenses and for cleaning services. We hope those who have information about the extortion carried out by individuals or groups will inform the DBKL,” he said.
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