HAWKERS who relocated from stalls along Jalan 51/217 in Petaling Jaya, Selangor, say their new premises are safer and better equipped but space and foot traffic remain concerns.
The relocation follows Petaling Jaya City Council’s (MBPJ) decision to tear down 20 stalls at the decades-old site to make way for drainage upgrades aimed at reducing flood risks in the industrial area.
Those who relocated to Medan Selera 204B, on Lorong Tandang 51/204B, told StarMetro that they had operated at the former site for 20 years. One had operated there for over 40 years.
“It is a bit cramped but I am thankful we are given a place,” said Shahila Banu Abdul Malik, who runs a drinks stall.
“The first week was very quiet, but this week is better,” she said, adding that it could also have been due to the long weekend.
Shahila Banu said the previous location was frequently flooded and had dense undergrowth that attracted snakes.
“Here, the place is clean and there is proper drainage.”
Shahila hopes that MBPJ will follow through on its promise to instal ceiling fans.
S. Anarasu, who sells freshly cooked Indian meals, said her daily earnings had dropped by more than half.
She used to make around RM800 to RM1,000 a day.
“Now it is hard to even reach RM400,” said Anarasu who runs the stall with her daughter.
She said the new site had limited seating and was tucked away from the main road, reducing visibility and walk-in traffic.
“Our regulars know this place but we do not benefit from busy traffic.”
Nevertheless, Anarasu said the new stalls had electricity and better flooring.
“There are broken tiles and the work space is not ideal, but it is an improvement.
“At the old place, snakes would slither out from the grass every month,” she added.
Fried rice seller Abu Bakar Abd Ghani said the previous site was just a platform above a drain.
“It was open and unsafe. Here, we have rolling shutters.”
He said most of his regular customers had followed him to the new location and his daily earnings remained steady.
Abu Bakar said he appreciated MBPJ’s rent exemption offer.
At the previous site, he paid RM30 monthly for rent and had no electricity or water supply.
“At Medan Selera 204B, the monthly rental is RM120, but we at least have access to electricity, water, a surau and clean toilets.”
However, he said another issue was that the food court customers would get wet when it rained because the roof wasn’t big enough.
In a media statement on Sept 17, MBPJ said the old stalls were situated atop a drainage line identified as critical after technical inspections were carried out by the city council and related agencies.
MBPJ said the upgrades were necessary to resolve recurring flash floods along Jalan 51/217.
Engagement with hawkers began with 15 of the 17 traders attending a briefing on July 18, when they were informed of the timeline and offered alternative sites.
Tenancy for the new stalls began on Sept 1.
MBPJ had also granted hawkers three-month rent exemption until November.
It said 15 hawkers had been moved to five locations.
Two traders were relocated to Gerai 204 and three others to Gerai 204A, both on Jalan Tandang.
Seven traders elected to move to Medan Selera 204B.
One trader moved to Medan Selera Section 8 in Jalan Lampam 8/3 while two moved to Medan Selera Jalan Othman.
Two hawkers did not attend the interview sessions or apply for relocation.
