Meeting set up to explain Sg Long market relocation

Kajang assemblyman Hee (in blue) distributing mandarin oranges to his constituents.

PETALING JAYA: A meeting has been set for Monday at 3pm (Jan 28) at the Menara MPKj to discuss the relocation plans of the Bandar Sungai Long wet market.

It will be chaired by Kajang assemblyman Hee Loy Sian and attended by Kajang Municipal Council (MPKj) president Mohd Sayuti Bakar, as well as representatives from the traders and residents.

Hee announced this to the press at the market, where he was distributing mandarin oranges on Saturday morning (Jan 26) to market-goers ahead of Chinese New Year on Feb 5..

“We didn’t have this engagement previously. This is the time to let them (stakeholders) know why there is a need to relocate.

“Residents complain about traffic congestion, lack of parking and hygiene issues,” he said.

It was previously reported (“Bandar Sungai Long residents want permanent site for morning market”, Dec 31, 2018) that residents of Persiaran SL1 in Bandar Sungai Long and traders there want a permanent spot for a morning market in the area because the market had been moved thrice over the last 20 years.

“In our masterplan, there was a permanent place identified but in 2006 that location was given to the Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR) Sungai Long campus," Hee said.

"I don’t know how the land was converted.

“The new location proposed is opposite the campus,” he said.

Hee said works to prepare for the market have begun.

“The roads have been tarred and drains installed,” he said.

However, residents near the new site oppose the plan and hawkers are worried that their business may be affected if they relocate, Hee said.

“Hawkers are worried that there won’t be ample park and the relocation won’t solve the problems.

“The meeting will be a chance for them to voice out,” Hee said.

A hawker, who wanted to remain anonymous, said one of the reasons they refused to relocate was that they did not even know where they would be relocating to.

“We have relocated several times over the years. We want a permanent spot,” he said.

According to Kajang Municipal Council (MPKj) councillor Lim Kim Eng, part of the reason was that the number of traders had increased from around 50 to the current 250.

Among the affected residents are from SL 4, Taman Taming Indah, and those living in the low-cost flats around the market along Persiaran SL1.