MPKj tears down illegal hawker stalls in Balakong

ABOUT 10 illegal food stalls run by foreigners in the industrial area in Balakong, Seri Kembangan, Selangor, were demolished in an operation led by Kajang Municipal Council (MPKj) on Thursday (Nov 30).

MPKj councillor Billy Sun was on hand along with 10 council officers from the Enforcement, Building Control and Licensing departments during the operation which started at 10am near Jalan KPB 7, Balakong, Selangor.

All of the stalls were either set up at the main gate of various companies in the industrial zone or situated opposite them.

Only one stall owner was present during the demolition operation, while others had already cleared away their belongings.

The council’s action followed numerous complaints lodged by companies operating in the area and from the public to MPKj and Persatuan Pemilik Tanah & Pengusaha Kilang Kawasan Perindustrian Kampung Baru Balakong.

Sun said all the traders had been given prior notice to stop operations and vacate several months ago.

“These illegal stalls have been operating for more than 10 years, and despite being issued with numerous warnings, the traders were unwilling to vacate,” said Sun, adding that operators were unlicensed as well.

The councillor said the demolition of the stalls was also warranted due to hygiene concerns.

“Where does the water source come from, and where does the waste go at the end of the day?

“I am concerned by hygiene issues and their potential impact on customers who dine there,” he said, adding that there had been 351 reported cases of food poisoning in Hulu Langat this year.

Sun said most of the illegal stall operators did not have anti-typhoid injections.

He added that MPKj would not clear up the debris for the time being.

“Having observed that new traders set up stalls immediately after clearing, we have chosen to leave it untouched for a while.

“We intend to clear up before Chinese New Year,” he said.

Besides Jalan KPB 7, MPKj was also conducting similar operations along Jalan KPB 2, 4 and 8.