BUSINESS operators along Jalan Tun Sambanthan are now next in line to make their voices heard over the Deepavali bazaar in Brickfields.
Some 29 business owners along the stretch between Public Bank and EON Bank sent a memorandum to Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) last week to voice their opinions.
They are unhappy that their needs and suggestions were not taken into account when the idea to set up the bazaar first came up.
Obstructed: The signage of the shops in Jalan Tun Sambanthan are blocked by the Deepavali bazaar stalls, leaving many operators unhappy One business owner, who runs a clinic, said he had sent a letter on Sept 23 requesting that the pathway in front of his clinic be left open to allow trolleys and stretchers to pass. However his requests were ignored.
The business owner, who declined to be named, said many patients had stopped going to his clinic as they found it difficult to get inside or even find it.
“The stalls are blocking our front view and the signboards are no longer visible to those on the outside,” he said.
He added that he was finding it difficult to earn enough to pay his rent and his staff’s salary as well.
All the shop proprietors said they had lost a lot of business due to the stall operators and many had resorted to purchasing the trading lots in front of their premises to deter other businesses from setting up stalls there.
“I had to pay some RM2,000 for the lots in front of my shop just to ensure I can sell my products. Even then, it has not brought much profit,” said textile trader Kumar.
Another textile trader, Shanti was also compelled to rent the lots in front of her shop, but she said it had not brought in much profit.
She said the festive season was the only time they could make some profit and the bazaar had dashed their hopes completely.
“The DBKL officers who came and checked on the stalls were also very rude. Sometimes we have to place our workers at the stall, but the enforcement officers said the owner had to be present and then they issued us a RM3,000 summon,” said Shanti. She added that one of her workers had his collar grabbed by a DBKL officer.
Another businessman who did not want to be identified said they were afraid for their safety as some of the traders at the bazaar behaved like thugs, threatening business operators while others had resorted to taking their photographs.
“Just because we are unhappy with them, they try these scare tactics on us. We can hardly enjoy a cup of tea or even step out of our shops,” he said.
A restaurant owner, who declined to be named, said her toilet was being used by the traders who sometimes abused the facility.
Just before the bazaar started, she said she had asked the organisers to provide latrine facilities for the traders. Her request was not acted on.
“Last year, some of them broke my door and this year the toilets are always in a mess. Their customers come in and will ask us nicely if they can use the toilet but these traders just walk in,” she said.
When asked why she did not stop them, she said it was difficult to argue with them when they had customers to attend to and it would seem unfriendly.
Now the business owners are seeking a meeting with Kuala Lumpur mayor Tan Sri Ahmad Fuad Ismail because they believe he is the only person who can help them.
“We do not want to cause trouble or fight with them. We just want to be heard and we believe he is the only person who can help us with our plight,” they said.
The proprietors said DBKL should have obtained their consent before setting up the Deepavali bazaar even if the stalls were placed on pavements belonging to DBKL. They said that as businessmen, they were paying taxes, quit rent and assessment to DBKL so their needs should be a priority.
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