BUSINESS owners in Kuala Lumpur’s Masjid India area want the Pakatan Harapan government to ban the setting up of bazaars in the bustling downtown area during Ramadan and Deepavali.

They say that the stalls have contributed to a downturn in their businesses, and pose a fire and safety risk.

Wisma Yakin Traders Association chairman Maideen Kadir Shah said the retailers are waiting for the Federal Territories Minister to be appointed to raise their grouses.

“If a minister is not appointed, we will go to Putrajaya to see Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohammad,” he said at the Masjid India mosque today.

“We have been suffering for more than 20 years.”

Maideen said business owners in the area, which has become popular for its many pop-up stalls selling food and clothing during Ramadan and the Hindu festival of Deepavali, have long complained of safety hazards as roads into the area are closed for up to a month during the festivities.

Maideen said that on June 6, Kuala Lumur had informed them that they had appoirved 80 bazaar Ramadan licenses. 

“We immediately the contacted DBKL to oppose the approval. 

“But the bazaar went ahead,” he said.

Masjid India Business Association president Ameer Ali Mydin said that the safety and security of the shoppers coming to the area are affected by the Bazaars.

“There are many shops selling gold here and shoppers worry about their safety because the area is too congested with all the stalls. 

“They are also prone to pickpockets and hawkers using gas cylinders on the sidewalk. 

“If any untoward incidents happen how are the police, ambulance or bomba going to get here.

“We have raised this issue with DBKL but no action taken,” he said adding that more than 500 retailers are affected. 

Ameer Ali also said that the hoteliers are affected hoteliers are affected with the bazaars. 

“There are 1,500 rooms in Masjid India and customers are affected because they have to walk far to get to the hotel because of all the stalls blocking the walkway,” he said. 

Ameer Ali suggested that the bazaars be moved to Bukit Jalil stadium.

The business owners had invited Bukit Bintang MP Fong Kui Lun to attend the press conference to raise their grouses, but were told that he couldn’t make it. 

Ameer Ali said the business owners are upset that Fong couldn’t come.

“He (Fong) is also our MP and he should come and listen to our issues,” he said. 

Masjid India Council treasurer Hisahamudin Sok Ubaidulla said that they are also want the canopy that DBKL had built to be removed. 

“We were not consulted on the canopy and when we found out DBKL still went ahead with the project. 

“The entrance of the mosque which was supposed to be vacant has turned into an area for illegal hawkers and parking space,” he said.

Hishamudin also said DBKL planed to relocate the hawkers next to Coliseum Cafe. 

“We hope that when they move out DBKL will not allow other hawkers to come in,” he said. – June 22, 2018.