A STALL operating over a drain along a busy road in Section 14, Petaling Jaya, Selangor, is causing persistent traffic snarls, residents say.
The issue stems from customers stopping along Jalan 14/48 to make purchases, thus cutting of traffic, they say.
They further claim that a modified van selling beverages has taken up parking space along the road, further aggravating traffic as motorists stop to buy drinks.
Johari Salleh, 80, said the problem had become a daily affair, with irate motorists blaring their horns.
“Motorists who block moving traffic create safety risks for drivers and pedestrians.
“Most of the time, we see drivers slow down sharply to pull over or order from their vehicle windows,” he said.
“Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) removed the stall selling banana fritters and fried tapioca in July 2025, but the trader resumed business after a week,” he claimed.
Johari said during the operation, MBPJ had failed to demolish the concrete platform built over the drain, which allowed the trader to return and reopen the stall.
Resident M. Sharifah, 36, wants MBPJ to demolish the concrete platform and to make sure the illegal stall can no longer operate from the spot.
“It is not a food court area and we see the traders discard used cooking oil into the drains, which causes a stench and attracts rodents,” she said.
Sharifah added that MBPJ should take action to close down the stall immediately.
She suggested the trader be provided forms to apply for vacant city council lots at nearby food courts.
Michael Cheah, 68, also urged the city council to remove the stall and build a proper walking path.
The stall, he said, currently occupied the road shoulder, forcing pedestrians to walk along the busy road.
“As for the mobile vendor, it would be better for MBPJ to move them to night markets.
“It would be good to have a walking path with bollards along Jalan 14/48, to deter vehicles getting onto the walkway,” he said.
M. Murali, 58, said motorists repeatedly stopped along the busy road to make purchases, blocking traffic and increasing the risk of rear-end collisions.
“We have seen many near misses and accidents. It is time MBPJ took serious action,” he said.
MBPJ Corporate Communi-cations assistant director (public relations) Ahmad Iskandar Mohamad Mukhtar said based on initial information, the stall operator could risk having their business equipment, stall and goods confiscated.
“Under Hawkers By-laws 2007, no hawker is allowed to trade along roadsides and road shoulders or on pedestrian walkways or pavements, let alone when it is a busy road,” he said.
Iskandar added that MBPJ enforcement department officers would visit the area soon.
