AN area outside Pasar Jinjang Utara once used as an illegal dumpsite will be converted into a carpark.
Community activist Yee Poh Ping said hygiene issues at the morning market in Kuala Lumpur was also expected to improve with regular rubbish collection.
He said the market had operated for years without a proper refuse facility, with waste placed in bins outside the premises.
“Last year, the bins were moved within the market compound to curb dumping on the road,” he said.
The cleaned area is also cordoned off. However, the waste issue remains.
“There are three or four bins for the traders to use, but these are being utilised even by the public to dump rubbish.
“This has been happening for several years,” Yee said after meeting representatives from Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL), SWCorp and Alam Flora during a site visit.
He said the overflowing bins were causing foul odours, affecting hawkers, market-goers and nearby shoplots.
“The hawkers cannot tolerate it anymore,” he said, adding that the conditions were attracting rodents and other pests, making it a health concern.
The situation is made worse with waste spilling into the entrance area.
“Rubbish is piled up everywhere and the smell is unbearable,” said Yee.
He said the authorities had agreed to convert the open-air dumpsite into a carpark.
While refuse bins would remain inside the market grounds, Yee said, additional ones were expected from authorities, which had also committed to making daily collections to prevent overnight accumulation.
“They have now ensured that there are seven bins inside the market and collection will be done every day,” he added.
Yee said that under a new measure to prevent odour, hawkers would be required to pack their waste into plastic bags before disposal.
“Waste should be covered from the elements and there should be no rubbish on the ground.
“SWCorp will issue notices to about 200 hawkers at the morning market to ensure everyone is aware of the new requirement.”
Yee said enforcement might include fines if traders failed to comply.
He said discussions were held on longer-term improvements, including upgrading facilities and installing additional monitoring measures, although no timeline had been set.
