A DISABLED handicraft trader is appealing to Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) to grant him a trading licence after his lot was taken over for the fourth time.
Daniel Ng Boon Hee said he had been running a handicraft stall along Jalan Alor in Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur, for over 20 years.
The 60-year-old said he was classified as a person with disability following a childhood polio episode that caused his legs to develop abnormally and remain smaller than a regular adult’s limbs.
Ng is also battling stage 1 cancer and recently underwent kidney surgery, which forced him to take a break from work.
However, when he wanted to resume work on Sept 21, Ng discovered that his usual spot had been occupied by a durian stall.
The durian stall operator claimed to have a tenancy agreement with a nearby convenience store.
StarMetro learnt that the agreement had been terminated, as it required the stall to be located closer to the convenience store.
Despite this, the durian sellers have continued operating, thus leaving Ng displaced.
“Although I have tried applying many times, DBKL informed me years ago that I didn’t need a licence.
“But other traders have repeatedly taken over my lot whenever I was away. This has happened four times since 2014.
“My child has just started university and the expenses are a heavy burden, so I need to continue my business to earn a living,” said Ng, who is his family’s sole breadwinner and commutes daily from Sungai Buloh to Jalan Alor.
He appealed to DBKL to grant him a licence to ensure he had proper documentation to show other traders.
Ng was speaking during a press conference organised by the Jalan Alor Traders and Hawkers Association.
Association secretary Simon Ang said the durian operator’s stall had also encroached beyond a faded yellow line that marked traders’ lots along the road.
“We have highlighted the matter to Bukit Bintang MP Fong Kui Lun who raised the issue with the Kuala Lumpur mayor on Oct 17,” said Ang.
“It has been several weeks since the tenancy agreement was terminated, yet the durian stall continues operating at the site.
“No action has been taken by DBKL despite the numerous complaints lodged,” he added.
Ang urged DBKL to license traders such as Ng to prevent further disputes, while recommending that the faded yellow lines marking the lots be repainted to provide clear demarcation.
He noted that the durian stall operator has given some space for Ng to set up his kiosk.
“Fong said he met the mayor and she promised to give the trader a business licence, but it is yet to be granted,” Ang added.
At press time, DBKL had not responded to StarMetro’s request for comments.
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