The food and beverage stalls operating along Jalan Manis 1. — MUHAMAD SHAHRIL ROSLI/The Star
LICENSED hawkers along Jalan Manis 1 in Taman Bukit Segar, Cheras in Kuala Lumpur, are fuming after being slapped with an eviction notice without any explanation.
According to the 12 food and beverage stall operators at the site, officers from the Federal Territories of Kuala Lumpur Land and Mines Office (PTGWP) came and pasted a red eviction notice on their stalls on Oct 20.
Hawker Nur Azura Azman, 38, said: “We were all shocked and we were ignored when we pressed the officers for clarification.
“All the hawkers here have been around for 35 years and we hold a valid licence from Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL). Why are we being treated like illegal hawkers?
“The notice came without any prior warning and now they want to evict us immediately.”
According to the notice, the hawkers had violated Section 425 (1) of the National Land Code by occupying the road reserve land.
They were also told to demolish their structures and leave, failing which they risk a fine of RM500,000 or a jail term not exceeding five years.
Mixed rice stall operator Chew Kok Wai, 42 said he had been trading at the spot for 30 years and he holds a valid licence.
“The eviction notice is uncalled for,” he said, adding that the disappointed hawkers immediately sought the assistance of incumbent Cheras MP Tan Kok Wai.
Tan said he would send a letter of appeal to PTGWP, requesting that the notice be withdrawn.
“The fact that DBKL had issued the hawkers trading licences is evident that the area is suitable for them to operate in.
“The reason given by PTGWP is unfair as there are more than 100 spots in Kuala Lumpur where traders occupy government or road reserve land. Does that mean they all will be given an eviction notice too?”
He said that he enquired about the matter with PTGWP’s Enforcement Department but was told they did not know about the eviction notice.
“The department also could not tell me if they had received any complaints about the hawkers.
“I hope they will reconsider the eviction notice,” he said.
When contacted by StarMetro, PTGWP director Datuk Muhammad Yasih Yahya said the eviction notice was issued following investigations that the traders had erected permanent structures on government land.
“These caused disturbance, from the safety and cleanliness aspects.
“Enforcement taken is in accordance with Section 425 (1) of the National Land Code.
“We have conducted 37 continuous joint operations in Kuala Lumpur against those who encroach on government land,” he added.
