BUSINESS owners and residents associations in Desa Sri Hartamas are seeing red over Kuala Lumpur City Hall’s (DBKL) move to build stalls in two green spaces in an already congested commercial area in the neighbourhood.  

They told The Malaysian Insight that any proposal to develop the area will result in further traffic congestion and throw up cleanliness issues.  

They are also upset that they were not consulted about the project, which they want to be immediately scrapped.

Desa Sri Hartamas Owners and Traders association secretary, Lavinia Kumaraendran said they were shocked to find out about the project last week.

“There are three plots of green space in this commercial area and two have been taken up for development.

“Why rob us of this green space? Our other concern is that more stalls will only add to the traffic congestion here.”

She said that they are already reeling from the traffic congestion in the area and all the commercial lots lack parking space.

“We have even asked in our letters (to DBKL) for places to build multi-storey car parks to avoid all the double parking and constant honking.

“More stalls here will just increase the traffic in the area. We already have very narrow roads and people have to walk on the roads as the pedestrian walkways are blocked with stalls.”

She also questioned why the association was not informed about the project.

“We want to highlight that we were not engaged on the project. No shop owners or tenants.

“They (DBKL) know the existence of our association, but we were not consulted in regards to the project.

“We are very disappointed. No survey or questionnaire was done.”

Early this year, DBKL had erected signage on the two plots, proposing to develop the area for stalls.

Lavinia said that Segambut MP Hannah Yeoh had posted on Twitter about the issue and on January 14, Deputy Federal Territories Minister Jalaluddin Alias visited the site.

Lavinia said that during Jamaluddin’s visit to the area last week they had presented him with a letter on their grouses.

“We found out there was going to be about six to eight stalls in each area. He (Jalaluddin) then instructed an immediate halt to the project.

“We asked him for a moratorium to have all our concerns addressed. We were then told that he needs time to look into it.”

She said that even prior to the news of the stalls, the committee had sent two letters to DBKL on the traffic congestion since 2020.  

“We sent the letter because since 2020 the stalls from the Shell station right after the Fire and Rescue department started mushrooming.

“At one time there were no less than 30 stalls which had taken up the pedestrian walkway.

“We are not against the people doing business, but there should be a proper area for them.”

Desa Sri Hartamas resident’s association committee member Shahril Hamzah said that traffic flow in the area is ‘crazy’.

“The traffic has increased tremendously here. It doesn’t help to have more stalls in this already small green space.

“It’s not a good idea and will cause a lot of problems. Not only on traffic flow, but cleanliness as well.” – January 21, 2022.

He hopes that DBKL will look into the issue and find an alternate location for the stalls.

“We understand at this point of time there is a need for people to make money. But, placing the stalls in this congested area is not good.

“As it is, the parking issues in this area are horrendous. People are double parking and it spills into the residential areas causing a lot of problems for residents.

“We hope that DBKL re-looks this idea and we want the project to be immediately scrapped.”

Meanwhile, Yeoh agreed that the project should be immediately scrapped as it is not a suitable location for the stalls.

She said that the matter was already raised with Jalaluddin during his visit to the site.

“That location is already congested being a main artery for traffic and in front of the police station and fire and rescue department. This makes it difficult for emergency response.

“Free trading policy must have its limitations and not on green areas and definitely not in front of other ratepayers’ shops.”

Yeoh also said that she will be following up with DBKL on this issue.

“Neglecting to consult with major stakeholders in that area cannot be the modus operandi in KL.”

The Malaysian Insight has contacted the Federal Territories Ministry for more information on the project. – January 19, 2022.