Group asks MBDK to cut Deepavali bazaar fees by 85%

Selventhiran (fourth from left) handing the memorandum to Izzat (in black blazer) at MBDK’s headquarters. — KK SHAM/The Star

Klang Royal City Council (MBDK) has been urged to cut Deepavali bazaar fees by 85%.

Persatuan Perpaduan Sejah­tera Kebangsaan (PPSK) founder and president M. Selventhiran said the association wanted MBDK to offer discounts, pointing out that Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) had adopted a similar approach to cushion traders against current economic pressures.

“Small-scale micro-entrepreneurs are struggling under the weight of rising overhead costs and inflation.

“MBDK’s fee relief would be vital for their survival during the festive trading period.

“Festive bazaars are not just about business. They are cultural celebrations that support grassroots livelihoods,” he said.

Selventhiran and several PPSK members handed a memorandum on their request to MBDK’s Licensing De­­part­­ment director Mohd Izzat Mokhtar at MBDK’s headquarters in Jalan Perbandaran, Klang.

Selventhiran said if the trading lot fees were cut, it would encourage higher vendor participation.

On Sept 22, it was reported that DBKL had slashed this year’s Deepavali trading lot fees by 85%.

The fee is RM400 compared to last year’s RM2,626, comprising a RM30 licence fee, RM150 service charge, RM150 site rental and RM70 deposit.

Minister in the Prime Minis­ter’s Department (Federal Terri­­tories) Hannah Yeoh had said that the reduced rate aimed to lower traders’ costs, which would subsequently benefit consumers.

Selventhiran said association members hoped MBDK would consider a similar fee reduction and refunding the excess before the festival.

Izzat said MBDK had allocated lots to 132 traders for this year’s Deepavali bazaar, from Oct 25 to Nov 7, at Lorong Tingkat, off Jalan Tengku Kelana.

Izzat said the fee for each lot was RM580. Traders also pay a refundable deposit of RM300 and cleanliness fee of RM200.

“For those selling fireworks, the fee is RM1,500 along with a refundable deposit of RM500.

“For traders selling balloons or doing henna drawings, the fee per lot is only RM190,” he said.

It is learned that MBDK will discuss the memorandum at its Licensing sub-committee meeting on Oct 8.