Just a shell: Children playing at the mostly empty Semai Niaga Taman Cendana hawker centre, which has a leaky roof and poor drainage. — THOMAS YONG/The Star
Traders say Taman Cendana food court and Jalan Tembusu shoplots in Pasir Gudang lack facilities, easy access to public
CLOGGED drains, leaky roofs and broken drains are what traders at Semai Niaga hawker centres and Kebayan shoplots in Pasir Gudang, Johor, have had to put up with for years.
Faced with these structural issues and poor footfall, traders don’t know how long they can continue if Pasir Gudang City Council (MBPJ), which owns the buildings, does not take remedial action.
Rabani Abd Latif, 51, said he had been renting a unit at Semai Niaga Taman Cendana hawker centre since 2007.
Back then, the burger-and-banana fritters vendor said there were more people coming to the hawker centre as there were not many options for those living at the nearby People’s Housing Project (PPR) in Taman Cendana.
Poor conditions at Semai Niaga Taman Cendana make it less conducive for operations. — Photos: THOMAS YONG/The Star
“The main issue here is the clogged drainage system, which has not been cleaned for almost five years, so there is a very unpleasant smell.
“When it rains, the main dining area gets wet because of the leaks in the roof.
“The outside gets inundated with muddy water,” he said.
Rabani said the city council workers had frequently visited the location, yet no action had been taken to improve the building’s conditions.
“The last time they came here was to hand over the notice for the new rental rate.
A broken roof is one of several problems faced by traders such as Rozazira at Semai Niaga Taman Cendana.
“They counted the broken lights. One of the enforcement officers even tripped on a broken drain and fell. Yet there has been no follow-up action from them.
“Since 2017, we have been hearing promises that the food court would be renovated but until today, that hasn’t happened.”
Rabani also said the hawker centre, which was built in the 1990s, was located in a secluded area with no easy access.
Laksam seller Zulhaini Ahmad, 55, agreed, and highlighted that the traders’ stalls lacked visibility as they were obscured by large trees and a playground.
At night, only two of five spotlights were working, he said, causing the food court to be in the dark.
Mee bandung seller Siti Norlida preparing to open her shop at Kebayan Jalan Tembusu.
“A few years ago, a ceiling fan fell to the ground. Luckily, no one was injured.
“In addition to the persistent smell, we are concerned about the exposed fuse box, especially when rainwater leaks from the broken roof,” she said, adding that it was a safety hazard.
Zulhaini also complained about the lack of security, which led to vendors’ things getting stolen.
She said the majority of the tenants had quit and gone to work at a nearby factory because of poor sales.
Rabani says there is a persistent smell caused by the clogged drainage system.
Ayam penyet vendor Rozazira Ibrahim, 43, said she had to dig her own drain so that waste water from her stall would flow into the gutter.
“There is also no washroom so those who eat here have to go to a broken washroom at a nearby futsal court, use the one at a nearby mosque or cross the road to the Kebayan Taman Cendana shops,” she said.
Most of the traders had resorted to selling their food online or supplying to restaurants, Rozazira added.
A 10-minute drive away is the Kebayan Jalan Tembusu shoplots.
Siti Amzila says the leaks and damaged ceiling beams at the Kebayan pose a serious hazard.
Mee bandung vendor Siti Norlida Saadom, 43, who operates there, said the shops didn’t get many visitors.
“It is located across from a dormitory for foreign workers who don’t come here for food.
“Our shop is also located in a secluded area and is not visible from the main road,” she said, adding that she depends on her regular customers and promotes her stall on social media.
A few years ago, the ceiling collapsed but it was repaired, she said.
The rundown shoplots at Kebayan Jalan Tembusu do not attract visitors to the area and traders say their business is suffering.
Tailor Siti Amzila Ahmad, 42, who started her business when the Kebayan shoplots were opened in 1993, also complained about water leaks.
“The ceiling and roof leak when it rains. No matter how many times it has been repaired, the problem always recurs because the building is very old.
“Some of the ceiling beams have been destroyed by termites and mould.
“The roof leaks are also affecting the electrical sockets,” she said, urging the city council to take immediate action as it was a fire hazard.
