KUALA LUMPUR: The Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories) and Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) have agreed not to demolish nine hawker stalls in Desa Pandan, which were initially slated for removal due to a road expansion project.
The decision was reached during a meeting between Titiwangsa Member of Parliament Datuk Seri Johari Ghani, Federal Territories Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zaliha Mustafa, and Kuala Lumpur Mayor Datuk Seri Maimunah Mohd Sharif.
They also agreed to close a steep shortcut, a bridge near the stalls, which had been the site of multiple accidents due to misuse by heavy vehicles.
Johari, who is also the plantation and commodities minister, said all the hawker stalls would be licensed, but owners would need to follow proper layouts, laws, and regulations.
“That route will be closed. It cannot be used. It’s a hazard to the residents here. Cars should not be going through. That’s our decision for now,” he said at a press conference here today.
“As for the hawker stalls, I’ve already discussed this with the Federal Territories Minister and the mayor. We will not demolish them. However, the mayor and minister observed that the structures here look more like permanent shops than hawker stalls, with bricks and other materials.
“DBKL will legalise the site, but on the condition that the stall owners follow a proper layout,” he said.
He added that he would further discuss the matter with the mayor to ensure the area looks better overall.
“We also understand that the current mayor was only appointed about a year ago, and many of these matters were already in motion, including contracts awarded to consultants and contractors.
“If we proceed with road widening and later close off the bridge, it will be easier for people to walk around and eat in the hawker area. That benefits everyone, since we can’t allow dining setups by the roadside,” he said.
He added that the mayor had also emphasised that DBKL would carry out enforcement activities.
“If the area has already been approved for hawkers, but they start putting tables and chairs on the road, that becomes a problem. Action may be taken where not only will they remove all tables and chairs, but the shop owner’s licence may also not be renewed.
“We want to support hawkers, but they must comply with the rules, especially when it comes to cleanliness. That’s very important. If we can all reach an understanding, only then can we truly engage and support the community,” he said.
On the bridge issue, Johari said they are considering installing iron barriers to ensure only motorcycles and bicycles can use it.
He said discussions would need to be held with the Drainage and Irrigation Department, as the bridge crosses over their drain.
“What happened was, there is a bridge that was originally built for motorcycles and pedestrians.
“We had installed barriers to prevent lorries from using it. However, over time, these lorries broke through the barriers, and part of this area has since become a frequent accident site due to the steepness of the road, which links Selangor and the Federal Territories,” he said.
He also expressed hope that the area could be similar to the Wirawati Foodcourt in Kampung Pandan, which has become an attraction in the area.
Meanwhile, Dr Zaliha said the issue needs to be resolved through a win-win situation, where the people’s interests must ultimately be prioritised.
“There have already been some processes underway in terms of proposed road upgrades. I’ve requested the mayor to sit down with the Selangor technical team to revisit the matter.
“We hope to reach a consensus so we can ensure both comfort and safety,” she said.
She added that they would look into enrolling the hawkers into the Lestari Madani Niaga programme, an initiative aimed at upgrading and beautifying small business areas, particularly in the Federal Territories.
This initiative is implemented under the Lestari Niaga @ Kuala Lumpur and Lestari Niaga Madani @ Wirawati programmes, which involve upgrading trader and hawker stall facilities to make them more conducive and comfortable.
Maimunah assured that she would call for a meeting to re-examine the roads and implement the decisions made during the meeting.
On July 17, residents and traders of Pangsapuri Anggerik E2, Desa Pandan, protested a demolition notice issued by City Hall, claiming a lack of consultation, sudden enforcement, and concerns over safety and livelihood.
Residents association chairman Shaaripuddin Yub Kamaruddin, 76, claimed traders were issued notices to vacate the area despite having valid trading licences.
Previously, Johari urged City Hall to review its plan to demolish nine hawker stalls, saying the road was an inner road and that hawkers had been operating there legally for years.
Johari suggested closing a shortcut near the stalls where accidents frequently occur, as it is often misused by heavy vehicles.
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
