Market traders in Ampang Jaya set to pay more in daily rental. — CHAN TAK KONG/The Star
Morning and night market traders in Ampang Jaya, Selangor, may see rental fees nearly double, rising from RM4 to RM7 a day.
The new rates, slated to start yesterday, would affect close to 3,000 traders across 29 market locations.
Ampang Jaya Municipal Council (MPAJ) has defended the move, calling it unavoidable and overdue after 16 years.
MPAJ deputy president Hasrolnizam Shaari said, “The fee has been unchanged since 2009 and is no longer sufficient to cover operating expenses.
Hasrolnizam: Market rental fee unchanged since 2009.
“These include cleaning, security and staff allowances, as the markets run outside normal working hours.”
He stressed that the move should be seen as an adjustment, not a hike to increase revenue.
MPAJ had initially proposed RM10 but revised it to RM7 after further consideration, he said.
“If MPAJ can no longer manage the markets effectively, we may need to reduce the number of trading locations or lots,” Hasrolnizam said, adding that fees collected were channelled back into market maintenance.
Hawkers, however, have voiced their objections.
Taman Muda Selangor Hawkers and Traders Association chairman Chow Chee Keen said the increase would hit many elderly traders particularly hard.
“Many of our 200 traders are senior citizens and depend on these stalls as their only source of income, so the higher fees will be difficult for them to bear.”
Chow said the associations had suggested alternative measures, including incorporating rental into the annual licence fee, which currently costs RM48, or revising the daily fee to RM5 as a compromise.
Representatives from several markets have also met with MPAJ to convey traders’ concerns, urging it to reconsider.
A 65-year-old selling yong tau foo at Pandan Perdana morning market, who wanted to be known only as Soon, said the new rate could force him to reduce his trading days.
“At the moment, I open five days a week and pay less than RM100 a month.
“When the new rate is implemented, my rental cost will almost double. I barely break even now,” he lamented.
Hasrolnizam said MPAJ had met hawker representatives last week to explain the rationale and would consider their appeal.
“We will decide if the RM7 is maintained or readjusted.
“The final decision will be made by the committee, which is expected to convene sometime this month,” he said.
He added that hawkers were informed of the plan three months ago, with engagements beginning early this year.
While the proposal includes shifting from daily to quarterly collections, the current daily system remains in place for now following traders’ appeals.
