Whether you’re from the city or the rural parts of town, you know you enjoy walking down the nearest pasar malam (night market) to stock up on some groceries while nibbling on some cheap, local food.
Unfortunately, residents of the iconic Taman Tun Dr Ismail pasar malam will no longer have the luxury as Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) has just announced the sudden closure of the Sunday night market.
According to reports, DBKL made the decision when hawkers failed to acknowledge the complaints regarding traffic congestions and cleanliness. On January 16, a photo of the notice issued to the hawkers had been circulating on Twitter.
The Star says that the mayor of Kuala Lumpur, Datuk Seri Ahmad Phesal Talib said DBKL received a string of complaints about the poor management of the night market for two years already. He said that the complaints were from residents of Sinaran TTDI condominium, and other residents from the surrounding area.
He added:
“DBKL has held discussions with the condominium’s Joint Management Body (JMB) over the complaints but nothing has been resolved.
The area is not suitable for a night market but it was allowed all these years due to demand from the people.
If the night market organiser and Sinaran TTDI condominium JMB can find a solution, the night market can go on.
However, our priority is the residents welfare.
The main complaints are on traffic obstruction, making it difficult for the condominium residents to come and go, as well as cleanliness”.
Despite the complaints, some of the residents are unhappy with the shut down of TTDI pasar malam.
“We heard rumours about the closure and I wrote to DBKL to clarify the matter in early January. The reply from DBKL stated that they will investigate the matter. Then suddenly, the hawkers were slapped with the notices,” said TTDI Residents Association Secretary Margaret Lee.
“The night market has been around for more than 30 years and closure will greatly effect the residents as well as the livelihood of the hawkers”.
The closure of the TTDI pasar malam will be effective from January 26.
[Source]
