Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) has been instructed to ramp up enforcement against traders operating on pedestrian walkways, especially those with tactile blocks, because of safety concerns.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories) Dr Zaliha Mustafa said DBKL would carry out enforcement and relocate traders strategically to ensure pedestrian pathways remain accessible and safe for all.
“I acknowledge the issue of traders operating on pedestrian walkways, particularly those with tactile blocks, causing inconvenience and safety concerns,” she said.
“After the Covid-19 pandemic, there has been an increase in street vendors because of the Free Trade Zone initiative introduced by a former minister,” she said.
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Zaliha was commenting on StarMetro’s frontpage report on Monday titled “Bothered by blocked paths”, which highlighted Kuala Lumpur residents’ call for a ban on roadside traders operating on pedestrian walkways, especially those with tactile blocks meant to guide the visually impaired.
Tactile blocks are textured paving surfaces featuring a series of bumps that are designed to help visually-impaired pedestrians.
DBKL guidelines generally do not allow street vendors to operate on pedestrian walkways, unless there are no obstructions.
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However, hundreds of licensed roadside hawkers have been allowed to operate on pedestrian walkways with tactile blocks.
Zaliha said several meetings had taken place and decisions made regarding this issue.
“DBKL has taken measures to address it, including relocating traders to designated markets and open spaces through its Lestari Niaga initiatives, enforcing regulations against unlicensed vendors and taking action against those violating licence conditions,” she said.
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Last week, DBKL Building Control Department director Ismawijaya Zah Mohamed Jais went on a walkabout to inspect damaged tactile tiles and look into obstacles along pedestrian walkways in Brickfields.
This inspection was prompted by a StarMetro report on June 10, titled “Path to accessibility,” which featured the difficulties faced by the visually impaired in navigating streets in the area.
