HAWKERS and traders associations in Kuala Lumpur urged the authorities to engage with them on how the RM10 million allocated by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to upgrade stalls in the city would be utilised.

They said if the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) was in charge of the funds, it must provide plans for the upgrades.

“DBKL must hold a town hall with (traders’) associations to get our input before using the funds.

“We would like to know the localities and proposals for the upgrading works,” Kuala Lumpur Bumiputera Traders and Hawkers Association president Muhamad Baba Kutty told The Malaysian Insight.

Anwar announced an additional RM10 million to upgrade stalls in Kuala Lumpur after officiating the Lestari Niaga@Kuala Lumpur D’Medan Selera Madani in Brickfields.

Muhamad said a committee comprising all stakeholders needed to be set up to address hawkers’ concerns.

“We want to be included in their (upgrading) plans so we can all study the proposals and find out what the stall operators need.

“We need to look into specific matters related to the stalls, such as locations, design, upgrading, financial matters and others.

“Also, enforcement against foreigners operating stalls and unlicensed businesses.”

He said there were around 20,000 stalls all over Kuala Lumpur, and that he did not want to see them become redundant.

Muhamad said the traders were ready to give their feedback on the upgrades.

Malaysian Federation of Hawkers and Traders Association Rosli Sulaiman agreed DBKL should consult traders’ association leaders and discuss the upgrades.

“We know what needs to be done to upgrade the stalls,” said Rosli.

“We hope DBKL will not do this on its own.

Rosli said DBKL needed to look at dilapidated stalls and those that should be replaced.

“There is also a need to look into food courts where toilets are in bad condition with faulty sinks, leaks and others.”

As Kuala Lumpur is a tourism hub, Rosli said DBKL should upgrade stalls in areas like Petaling Street, Bukit Bintang, Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman and Brickfields.

He said the stalls at the Pudu, Chow Kit, Datuk Keramat, Kepong and Sentul markets were in dire condition, and asked DBKL to look into these locations, too.

“(DBKL) could also look into upgrading stalls at night markets around Kuala Lumpur.” – September 7, 2023.