THE recognition of street hawkers and petty traders as part of the federal capital’s urban picture is well illustrated by the designation of certain streets in Kuala Lumpur as tourist landmarks.
The famous Chinatown or Petaling Street is one example of a bustling trading centre, while the Little India in Brickfields is another spot in the city that is fast becoming popular.
Other areas with potential for hawker development are Kampung Baru, Chow Kit and Masjid India — all three with a history of hawking that goes back more than a 100 years.
The hawker industry generates a whopping RM20bil a year, according to Federal Territory Malay Hawkers and Small Traders Association President Datuk Bahrim A. Razak.
Street hawking is undoubtedly one of the oldest and most popular in any city as it only requires minimal capital and skill.
However, while many people may find the hawkers convenient for offering cheap and tasty food others see them as a nuisance that mar the city’s image.
With the increase in the number of illegal hawker stalls in the city, the situation has created a range of social problems that is not helping Kuala Lumpur’s image at all.
The chaotic and unhygienic way the hawkers operate with food prepared near drains and sidewalks is contributing to the growing rat population in Kuala Lumpur.
Popular: Petaling Street is one example of a bustling trading centre. The licensed hawkers operating in food courts blame the illegal ones of killing their business.
Kuala Lumpur City Hall’s (DBKL) periodic enforcement to rid the city of unlicensed hawkers and petty traders has resulted in many street protests.
The Federal Territory and Urban Wellbeing Ministry will be setting up the Federal Territories Hawkers and Petty Traders Council and many see it as a way to solve the city’s hawker problem.
The objectives of the council and its policies include planning, development, upgrading, monitoring, enforcement and development of human capital as well as increasing the status of traders’ associations.
The council will be set up by year-end and will act as a platform for traders to voice their grouses.
According to FT Minister Datuk Raja Nong Chik Raja Zainal Abidin, the council will help promote greater interaction between the authorities and hawkers as well as create a more organised environment for hawkers.
However, for this to work, hawkers must be made responsible for their actions and follow a code of ethics, cleanliness and the law, failing which they must be prepared to lose their licences.
Licences must be given only to deserving hawkers and petty traders, hence City Hall has to ensure that this group is not marginalised by middlemen.
Therefore it is the role of the hawkers’ council to ensure that there is transparency and accountability for the system to work.
Perhaps Raja Nong Chik can also include the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission to sit in the council to ensure there is accountability and transparency.
Only with such a good system in place can Kuala Lumpur strive to become world-class city.
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