Popular night bazaar Uptown Shah Alam is entering a new era as traders prepare to relocate to a modern complex adjacent to its long-standing site in Persiaran Sultan, Section 24.
Managed by Selangor State Development Corporation (PKNS), the bazaar operating from 8pm to 4am has been the go-to destination for late-night shopping and local delicacies.
PKNS confirmed that it was currently awaiting the Certificate of Completion and Compliance (CCC) before the move could
proceed.
However, he noted that while the new premises came with certain improvements, traders remained wary of rising operational expenses.
“We are worried about potential fee hikes.
“Currently traders pay about RM300 per lot, but PKNS has yet to confirm the new monthly rental rates.
“We hope they remain affordable given the current economic conditions,” he added.
Hassan said traders also hoped for one free parking space per business lot as well as subsidies for shop signboards.
He estimated that the current site, which had 480 lots in total, attracted an average of 700 to 800 visitors daily, peaking at 3,000 on weekends.
Visitors can find a variety of goods ranging from trending street snacks and perfumes to batik shirts, phone accessories and motorcycle parts.
Beyond being a mere night market, the open-air bazaar serves as a community hub for local businesses to establish their presence.
“When people think of Uptown Shah Alam, they imagine a ground-level late-night bazaar.
“The new building has two floors, so it will feel more like a mall,” he said.
Hassan stressed the importance of maintaining the “Uptown” brand.
“In Hat Yai (Thailand), there is the Asean Night Bazaar. Here, the ‘Uptown’ brand is a household name.
“It could be renamed to Uptown Selangor or Uptown Malaysia as it sits in the heart of Selangor’s capital,” he said, adding that the site was strategically located just 30 minutes from Kuala Lumpur.
He said a stronger identity would help realise the state’s objective of making the new facility an iconic Selangor landmark, a vision shared by the trading community.
Selangor youth, sports and entrepreneurship committee chairman Najwan Halimi said a social media post on Dec 18, 2024, said Uptown Shah Alam would become a new landmark for the city as well as for Selangor.
He estimated the project to cost about RM42.7mil once completed.
However, several traders told StarMetro that more attractions should be made available at the new site to achieve the goal of becoming a state landmark.
A clothing store owner known only as Azri, 32, recalled when tour buses brought university students from across the country every other week before the Covid-19 pandemic.
“The old attractions, like the karaoke machine on stage, are gone.
“While buskers have taken over, we need more to draw the crowds back,” he said.
Trader Khairul Anwar Isa, 38, who sells shoes, clothes and perfumes, said sales had seen a dip over the last two years, which he attributed to limited parking and lack of marketing.
“We need a digital push.
“The government could offer digital entrepreneurship courses such as digital marketing to help us reach a wider audience.
“Uptown Shah Alam could also be promoted as one of the must-visit places in Malaysia.”
Khairul Anwar suggested the new site host large-scale events such as food festivals, with notable people in the industry attending, to attract visitors.
“To draw young people, a motorcycle or e-sports programme can be held. The government can even run a ‘Jualan Rahmah’ event.
“Towards the end of the year, there could be a back-to-school sale with vendors selling school supplies,” he said, adding that the new, larger site should be fully utilised for various activities.
“PKNS should appoint a professional event management company to ensure a steady stream of programmes.
“This should be an independent body to avoid any conflict of interest among traders,” he added.
For food vendors, the shift to a food court format poses another challenge.
A trader who only wanted to be known as Yusof, 50, said the move would be difficult with the layout change.
“We are unsure if our equipment will fit into the new lot.
“Currently, we have about 30 dedicated seats, but we have been told that seating at the new site must be shared among all food traders.”
He added that the food lots at the current site were all the way in the back and many customers did not make it that far.
“While we hope the new layout helps, we need unique attractions.”
Yusof said during downtimes, “it gets so quiet by 11pm that you could play football in the space.”
Meanwhile, Shah Alam City Council (MBSA) confirmed that Jalan Pudina 24/41, which is part of the new Uptown Shah Alam complex project, remained closed.
A spokesperson said the road would only open once the development passed official inspection and received the CCC.
