THE first phase of upgrading works around Pasar Lee Lam Thye and its surrounding area in Chinatown, Kuala Lumpur, is expected to be completed sometime this month.
“The first phase to relocate traders, demolish the old market and restore Jalan Sang Guna, where the market was previously located, is expected to be completed this month,” said a Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) spokesperson.
“Pasar Lee Lam Thye traders will later be housed in a purpose-built two-storey complex that includes parking facilities.
“However, traders from a nearby Pasar Karat flea market will be housed in a different place,” said the spokesperson, who declined to provide a timeline on when the entire upgrading project would be completed.
StarMetro’s report “Chinatown traders wary about relocation plan” last year highlighted market traders’ fear that a move by DBKL to relocate them would adversely impact their business and livelihood.
The traders’ relocation is to facilitate beautification works along Jalan Sang Guna, also known as Lorong Galeri Lee Lam Thye, and the lane off Jalan Tun HS Lee.
The project includes upgrading pedestrian walkways, removing obstacles as well as restoring and beautifying the old lanes.
The next phase is the construction of a two-storey market complex to house traders from both Pasar Lee Lam Thye and Pasar Karat, although that original plan appears to have changed.
The spokesperson was speaking on the sidelines during the unveiling of an archway bearing the name “Pasar Lee Lam Thye”.
The red wooden structure cost RM200,000 to build, using funds from Bukit Bintang MP Fong Kui Lun’s office.
It is located at the intersection of Jalan Sang Guna and Jalan Tun HS Lee, sandwiched between Guan Di Temple and Restoran Kiew Yee Baru.
Jalan Sang Guna is a pedestrian-based access point to Jalan Petaling better known as Petaling Street.
Social activist and retired politician Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye and Fong were present during the archway’s unveiling.
On the market’s history, Lee explained that in the 1990s, it was at risk of being closed due to hygiene issues.
The traders appealed to Lee, who was then the Bukit Bintang MP, to intervene.
“The closure would have affected about 110 market traders. I contacted the then Kuala Lumpur mayor, the late Tan Sri Elyas Omar, and negotiated with him and DBKL.
“He later agreed to allow the traders to continue operating where they were, on condition that their stalls be repaired and hygiene conditions improved.
“The traders were relieved to be able to continue their business and carried out the cleaning themselves. To express their appreciation, they had an archway built with my name in Chinese etched on it,” said Lee.
Following upgrading works identified for the market last year, Lee said he put in a request with then Kuala Lumpur mayor Datuk Seri Maimunah Mohd Sharif for a new archway to replace the old structure, this time in dual languages – Bahasa Malaysia, the national language, and Chinese.
“Chinatown is a popular tourist destination, for both locals and foreign tourists,” he said.
“So this archway can serve as a landmark and gateway for those heading to Chinatown.”
Lee added that the structure was made using timber certified under the Malaysian Timber Certification Scheme, which is endorsed by the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification, promoting sustainable forest management.
“The unveiling of this new archway and upgrading works around the market is timely, in view of Visit Malaysia 2026,” said Fong.
“Having the structure in dual languages is a reflection of our country’s multi-racial, multicultural people.”
