DBKL enforcement officers on standby at the venue during the voting of new committee members. — LOW BOON TAT/The Star
The recent polls to elect a new committee for the 30-year-old Taman Overseas Union (OUG) morning market in Jalan Kelang Lama, Kuala Lumpur, was carried out in a transparent manner, says Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL).
As such, the demonstration carried out at the polling station on voting day was unacceptable and disappointing, it added.
In a statement to StarMetro, DBKL said succession planning was crucial for the long-term success of the market and the new committee played an important role in dealing with traders, the public and local authority.
Last week, DBKL’s Licensing and Business Development unit in collaboration with Seputeh MP’s Office and the area’s Residents Representative Council (MPP) held an election for new office bearers to manage the OUG morning market.
However, it turned unruly when a group of traders turned up with protest banners at the site.
More than 50 traders converged on the Market Place OUG building entrance on Aug 22, shouting their dissatisfaction over what they claimed was interference by DBKL and the Seputeh MP’s office and accused the authorities of sidelining old members.
“The decision to have the election was to find a solution to the long-standing problems surrounding the decades-old market,’’ DBKL said.
According to DBKL, there had been numerous complaints from the public on congestion issues, poor rubbish disposal and allegations of outsiders trading in the market as well as sub-letting of licence to third parties.
DBKL said the old committee had been managing the market for over 20 years, and some thought it would be good to elect a new committee.
“Eligible traders were invited to stand for election and only licensed traders operating in the market were eligible to vote.
“For better transparency and accountability, we even invited officers from the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) and DBKL’s integrity unit to witness the session,” said a DBKL spokesperson.
The election saw the post of chairman, vice-chairman, treasurer, secretary and three committee members being contested.
Prior to the election, several meetings were held between DBKL and parties who claimed to be the legitimate committee that had been managing the affairs of the morning market.
“These meetings involved the Seputeh MP and various departments in DBKL.
“As a follow-up to that meeting, the traders’ representatives involved agreed to elect new members to run the market.
“However, a few days before the voting was to be held, some representatives from a different group pulled out of the race.
“On polling day, some traders aligned to a rival group held a demonstration outside the venue, but the police were called in to disperse the crowd,’’ added DBKL.
