DBKL allows Brickfields flower traders to return to original location

LITTLE India’s flower traders in Kuala Lumpur can continue to trade along Jalan Tun Sambanthan, in Brickfields.

Last June, Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) ordered the 17 traders to move to the ground level carpark of the Tun Sambanthan Complex, formerly known as The Pines.

But the traders who set up shop there for 10 days said their business dropped as the location was not suitable.

The area where their stalls were located earlier had also been sealed off by DBKL and they were unable to renew their business and premises licences.

In October, lawyer A. Sivanesan, who represented the traders, filed a writ summons.

On Monday, the blockade at their original trading area was removed.

Sivanesan and Bukit Bintang MP Fung Kui Lun said in a press conference yesterday that DBKL had allowed them to continue trading at the previous location.

Sivanesan said that DBKL sent a new proposal yesterday morning.

“The traders can retain their locations and the kiosks will also be refurbished,” he said, adding that the traders would be allowed to renew their licences and start trading.

“On behalf of the plaintiffs, we will file a consent judgment based on the terms and conditions proposed by DBKL,” he added.

Flower trader Rajeswari Subramaniam, who was grateful for the outcome, said the complex they were asked to relocate to was far from the main foot traffic.

“We could not get any business at all. I hope this will settle the matter for good,” she said.

Fung said the outcome was a result of the tireless work by the lawyers and traders.

“The traders suffered for the past six months as they could not earn an income.

“They had to resort to setting up tables and chairs around Brickfields,” he said, after handing out appointment letters to the traders.

DBKL's executive director (socio-economic development) Ibrahim Yusof when contacted said: “We wanted to move them over to the complex so that it would be more centralised. But the traders were adamant not to move. So we allowed them to move back to their original location."