Imbi market will move to seven-storey complex by 2016

THE Imbi morning market will be relocated to a complex behind Pudu Plaza to make way for the ongoing development of Tun Razak Exchange.

The market, which is also known as Bukit Bintang market, will be relocated to the new seven-storey building once it is completed.

Bukit Bintang MP Fong Kui Lun said the relocation of the Imbi market was going smoothly despite the issue being delayed for some time.

“Initial plans for the new market has been changed.

• Traders sceptical about DBKL’s vague relocation plans

“The complex was supposed to be low-rise, with only a few stories, but it is now to be a seven-storey building including a basement floor.

“The delay was because of the land conversion from residential to commercial purpose. The complex is expected to be completed in two years.

“More than 200 hawkers will be relocated from the old market to the new facility, which is capable of housing more traders than that,” he said.

The complex, known as Integrated Commercial Complex (ICC), will be an indoor market jointly developed by 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) and Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL).

Located in Jalan Davies and Jalan Kijang, it has three storeys for parking, two storeys for market stalls and a community hall on the top floor.

DBKL confirmed that the building’s development order was issued on July 2, in a written statement to Fong.

In the meantime, he said traders could continue at the old market until the new facility was built.

“I have been working on this, liaising with the traders and the authorities, for a long time and am glad to see that a win-win situation has been achieved.

“It will be a better location for the traders because of the heavy customers traffic here around Pudu Plaza and Jalan Brunei,” he added.