Roadside stalls occupying a public walkway along the busy Jalan Jalil Perkasa 1 in Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur. – CHAN TAK KONG/The Star
TRADERS operating on the pavements along the bustling Jalan Jalil Perkasa 1 in Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur, are causing congestion and endangering pedestrians there.
Some traders also leave behind tables, chairs, pots and pans at the site when they close for the day, which is in violation of their licensing agreement with Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL).
Residents complain that these items are obstructing the public walkway.
“There is no place for me to walk, because some stalls place their goods all over the ground,” said Kelly Tan.
“I am forced to walk on the road, which is a main street. It is dangerous as the traffic is heavy and vehicles move fast along that stretch,” Tan added.
Another resident, Jeeva Mala said she used to jog along the stretch.
She noted that before the Covid-19 pandemic, only one or two stalls were operating there but later, the number mushroomed and took up the entire stretch of pavement.
An enforcement officer issuing a notice to traders for various infringements at Jalan Jalil Perkasa 1 in Bukit Jalil. — Photo courtesy of DBKL
“I know the mobile traders have a licence under the Wilayah Prihatin programme, but they are not supposed to leave their items and block the walkway,” she said.
The Wilayah Prihatin programme was initiated by DBKL and Federal Territories Ministry during the movement control order period to alleviate the hardship faced by those who lost their jobs.
Suitable sites were identified so mobile traders could operate from food trucks, tricycles and stalls with canopies, but they had to clear the site at the end of the day.
On a recent visit, StarMetro found dozens of closed stalls, some covered with tarpaulin, along with chairs and tables cluttering up the pathway.
When contacted by StarMetro, a DBKL officer from the Seputeh branch confirmed that traders in the area were notorious for not following rules.
“Our officers are constantly issuing summonses to them.”
Under the programme, over 5,000 licences were approved in all three federal territories.
However, there have been complaints that the traders were creating various problems such as congestion, littering and pollution.
