MBI urged to waive deposit, six-month rental as incentive for more traders to take up remaining stalls in Menglembu
FROM 33 stalls to just four. This reflects the stark decline of Medan Selera Dataran Niaga Taman Kledang, a food court in Perak’s Menglembu, where the ageing hawkers continue to serve a shrinking pool of customers.
Established in 1999 and managed by Ipoh City Council (MBI), the food court in Jalan Kledang was once fully occupied.
However, its fortunes have declined over the years as more commercial developments sprang up in the surrounding area, while the Covid-19 pandemic movement control order further accelerated the exodus of traders.
The four remaining hawkers are still holding on, hoping more traders will take up the vacant stalls there and bring the food court back to life.
With the help of Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM), they have brought their concerns to the attention of MBI and the state executive councillor concerned, hoping that their plight would receive due attention.
Soldiering on
For more than two decades, the food court was a familiar gathering place for residents, traders and regular customers.
For drinks seller Fong Keng Seng, 75, it has been part of her life since 1999.
When she first started trading, there were about 30 stalls operating there.
However, the number gradually declined following new developments in the surrounding area, while the MCO caused many hawkers to cease operations altogether.
“Later, some moved to other places where business was more profitable. The food court became very quiet,” said Fong, who is from Menglembu.
She agreed that the monthly rental of RM70 was affordable. An additional RM5.60 in Sales and Service Tax (SST) was implemented since December 2025.
However, Fong said cleaning services inside the food court were less frequent than before.
Economy rice seller Tan Lay Wah, who has operated her stall for more than 15 years, opens from 6.45am to noon.
She also delivers food to regular customers and sells tissue paper to supplement her income.
But as the area is largely deserted now except for drug addicts and homeless people loitering nearby, she no longer dares to open her stall too early in the morning.
She said conditions at the food court had deteriorated after the MCO, as fewer traders operated their stalls.
“The gutters have been leaking for about a year now,” she complained.
Vegetarian noodle seller Cheah Lai Fun, 52, who has been operating at the food court since 2000, hopes more hawkers will be encouraged to set up business there.
However, she said the upfront costs could discourage potential traders.
Lai Fun said a friend had considered taking up a stall but backed out after learning that the rental deposit was RM1,000, with other payments bringing the total to about RM1,500.
“As it is, there are no takers. With the deposit and other payments, it may put people off.”
Lai Fun, however, acknowledged improvements made by MBI, including new ceiling fans and installation of LED lights about two years ago.
She hopes the city council will also consider replacing the existing zinc roofing with heat-resistant material, as the food court becomes uncomfortably hot in the afternoons.
“Another concern is security.
The food court had been burglarised several times, padlocks were broken off and intruders pried open the grille door.
“The thieves stole loose change, utensils and gas cylinders.
“My gas cylinders have been stolen at least seven times.”
Another hawker Cheah Chew Wah, 54, who sells chee cheong fun, claimed that MBI workers did not clean the food court regularly.
She said they would only clean the toilet located near the food court, but hardly swept the floor inside the food court.
“The other hawkers and I take the initiative to sweep the floors and keep the place clean,” said Chew Wah, who has been trading there for more than 10 years.
Loyal patrons
Despite the challenges, the food court continues to attract a loyal clientele.
Regular customer Tan Kai Soong, who runs a logistics company, stops by almost daily for breakfast.
He hopes MBI will provide chairs with backrests, particularly for senior citizens, as the existing fibreglass seats are attached to the tables.
“I see most of the time senior citizens look uncomfortable when having a meal,” he said.
Retiree Hor Chan Heng said most of the regular customers were senior citizens.
“I hope more stalls will open here. The food court is more than just a place to eat.
“It is a neighbourhood hangout that has served generations of residents.”
For Wong Swee Chin, who lives a stone’s throw away, the food court remains part of her daily routine.
She cycles there every day for brunch and hopes more traders will be given an opportunity to operate there.
Moratorium sought
PSM, which highlighted the issue, is calling on MBI to introduce a six-month moratorium
on rental and deposit for new traders.
PSM Batu Gajah parliamentary coordinator K. Kunasekaran urged the city council to take immediate steps to revive the food court which has been largely abandoned.
“It is in a strategic location, about 3km from the popular Kledang Hill recreational area.”
He said only four of the 33 stalls were currently operating, leaving 29 vacant, thereby depriving local traders and MBI of potential income.
He said the facility was now in a worrying condition and risked becoming a white elephant.
“The high upfront costs discourage traders from taking up the vacant stalls.
“Under the current payment structure, traders are required to pay a RM1,000 deposit, RM240 licence fee, RM400 annual management fee and RM70 monthly rental,” he said when met at the food court.
He proposed a six-month moratorium for new traders, including a waiver of the RM1,000 deposit and RM70 monthly rental.
“To attract new traders, PSM proposes a ‘Revive Kledang Food Court’ campaign.
“The campaign could include registration counters, briefing sessions and outreach programmes to identify local
micro traders, youths and single mothers interested in starting a business.
“We believe many will be willing to take up the 29 vacant stalls if the proposed incentives are implemented,” he added.
Kunasekaran said reviving the food court would create employment opportunities, stimulate local economic activity, revitalise the area surrounding Kledang Hill and increase MBI’s revenue in the long term.
He also urged the city council to adopt a more proactive approach in restoring the facility, stressing that public infrastructure with economic potential should not be allowed to remain neglected.
He has sent letters to Perak Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad, state housing and local government committee chairman Sandrea Ng and Ipoh mayor Zamakhshari Hanipah in June on the matter.
“Following the letter dated June 18, the exco’s office had referred the matter to the mayor.
“MBI subsequently advertised five vacant stalls on its official Facebook page on July 24.”
No takers
When contacted, Ng said efforts were underway to revive the food court.
She said city council feedback indicated that only 12 of the 33 stalls were usable, as vandalism had rendered the remaining 21 unfit for rent.
Ng said MBI had been taking steps to increase the number of operating stalls, including opening five available units for applications from July 27 to Aug 10.
“However, only one application was received during the exercise.
“MBI will continue promoting the available units and hope all parties will help disseminate information on the available stalls and application process.”
She added that the 21 units currently deemed unsuitable for rental would also be assessed to determine improvements needed before they could progressively be made available.
On the deposit, licence management fee and rental charges, Ng said these were standard charges applicable to business premises managed by the city council.
“However, traders facing genuine financial difficulties can submit an appeal to MBI, with applications for deferment or instalment payments to be
considered on a case-by-case basis.
“The poor response to the recent application exercise suggests that the issue needs to be viewed more broadly than just the fee structure.
“There is often a ‘chicken-and-egg’ situation when trying to revitalise a food court, as a low number of operating stalls means fewer choices for customers, which can affect footfall,” she noted.
Ng said the focus should be on improving the overall viability of the food court.
“This includes ensuring that the infrastructure and trading environment are conducive, improving promotion and creating enough activity to attract both traders and customers.”
On cleaning work, she said it was carried out daily and MBI would review feedback received to ensure that the service was effective.
“The city council also takes note of reported break-ins and security concerns at the premises. It will look into the matter and, where necessary, follow up with the relevant enforcement agencies,” she added.
When contacted, Menglembu assemblyman Steven Chaw said he had also checked with MBI over the issue and received a similar response as Ng did.
“I will also assist in publicising availability of the stalls, and welcome the cooperation of all parties in promoting these business opportunities to interested local traders,” said Chaw.
