FOR the first time in over two decades, Deepavali bazaar traders in Brickfields, Kuala Lumpur, have been brought together under one roof.
The main bazaar near Tun Sambanthan Complex occupies the carpark of the demolished DBKL Sports Complex, housing 131 stalls.
Jalan Tun Sambanthan 1 is now closed to traffic for a month to accommodate the bazaar.
Previously, Deepavali traders were scattered across various pockets in and around Brickfields, including KL Sentral carpark, Jalan Berhala, Jalan Chan Ah Tong, Jalan Travers/Jalan Rakyat and parts of Jalan Tun Sambanthan.
Some bazaars were also held in Lebuh Ampang and Sentul.
At Masjid India, there will be another 20 lots in Jalan Bunus 6.
The Brickfields venue caters to traders selling dry goods, food and beverages, whereas the Masjid India site is restricted to dry goods.
A Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) spokesperson said extensive development across Brickfields had dramatically altered the local landscape, rendering traditional sites increasingly unsuitable.
“We have received numerous complaints over the years regarding traffic congestion, noise and safety.
“Therefore, we decided to consolidate the Brickfields bazaar at a single location slightly set back from the traditional Little India stretch.”
Persatuan Prihatin Peniaga Little India Brickfields (PPPLI) has managed the Brickfields bazaar for several years.
Its secretary P. Thinakaran believes shifting slightly away from the heart of Little India could finally soothe local grievances.
“I believe this is a positive move as it can address complaints about traffic congestion and noise pollution that have arisen in previous years.
“It is also a fresh opportunity for us to gauge how the bazaar fares at a site slightly further from Little India,” he said.
The Deepavali bazaar will be held for 30 days, starting yesterday until Nov 7. It is open from 10am to midnight daily.
Association support
Thinakaran called for the public to support the traders and to use public transport to the venue as parking spaces are limited.
He said the association had screened traders and given priority to those genuinely needing the business opportunity, such as single mothers and youngsters looking to make extra income.
“It is not a money-making venture for people who are already doing well.
“It is meant to provide an opportunity for those who are struggling and want to earn some money during the festive period,” he added.
The association had also shared its contacts and experience with other participating associations having difficulty identifying suitable traders.
“We wanted to ensure the lots go to the right people,” said Thinakaran.
He welcomed DBKL’s involvement in organising the bazaar, saying it would reduce traders’ costs.
“We are happy that DBKL has reduced the bazaar lots’ fee by 85% this year.
“The fee now is capped at RM400, compared to last year’s RM2,626.
“In previous years we had to arrange everything ourselves, including tents and electricity among other logistical requirements.
“Because of those costs, we had no choice but to impose higher fees,” he explained.
With DBKL handling more of the arrangements, Thinakaran said the lower fees would benefit traders.
“At the end of the day, it should be a win-win situation for everyone,” he added.
PPPLI is one of four DBKL-recognised associations identified to manage the bazaars.
The others are Persatuan Penjaja-Penjaja Medan Selera Pines Bazaar Brickfields, Pertubuhan Kebajikan Peniaga dan Penjaja Kecil Interaksi Kuala Lumpur dan Selangor and Malaysia Hindu Sangam Federal Territory.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories) Hannah Yeoh said the reduced fee was intended to lower traders’ costs, which would in turn benefit consumers.
DBKL said traders applying for trade permits must submit them through associations that it recognised.
Applicants must be Malaysian citizens aged 18 and above, with no outstanding DBKL traffic compounds or overdue rental payments for stalls at DBKL markets or hawker centres.
Each person may apply for only one lot at one location. All applications will be screened according to the stipulated requirements.
The RM400 charge for each lot comprises a RM30 licence fee, RM150 service charge, RM150 site rental and RM70 deposit. The deposit will be refunded upon submission of a claim, provided the trader has not breached any conditions.
Prepared for the rush
Pertubuhan Kebajikan Peniaga dan Penjaja Kecil Interaksi Kuala Lumpur dan Selangor representative M. Sivakumar is optimistic about the new location.
“We are looking forward to this year’s bazaar,” he said.
“The traders are happy and everyone is excited about it.”
Sivakumar said the association prioritised single mothers, persons with disabilities and those from the B40 income group when selecting traders.
The traders will sell goods imported from India, including Punjabi suits, children’s clothing and footwear.
Food operators at Tun Sambanthan Complex’s food court hope the month-long event will attract shoppers beyond the usual office crowd, and are prepared for a busier period.
Selvam Corner operator Sumathi Selvam, 52, is prepared to extend her opening hours and operate on weekends to capitalise on the expected increase in visitors.
Sumathi, who has operated her stall on Level 2 of the complex for 10 years, said business was initially slow but gradually improved as customers discovered her home-cooked vegetarian and non-vegetarian meals.
She currently relies largely on office workers and operates from 11.30am to 5pm on weekdays.
“I will definitely stay open beyond 5pm and operate more than five days a week to earn extra income,” she said.
Madurai Muniyandi Villa stall manager T. Shankar, 28, said the restaurant would prepare more food as they also plan to open longer than usual.
“More visitors will mean more business for us, so we will make sure there is enough food,” he said. He plans to operate from 11.30am to 11pm throughout the Deepavali bazaar.
Chennai Cafe manager V. Mahalingam, 62, said the ground-floor eatery would ensure it had enough workers to cope with the expected increase in customers.
The cafe, known for its fresh cow’s milk filter coffee and almond milk drink, also serves roti canai, thosai, uttapam, idli and vadai. It opens from 8am to 11pm.
“We just need to ensure there are enough workers to serve all the people coming here to shop,” said Mahalingam.
Some stalls for the Deepavali bazaar this year are also located at Jalan Tun Sambanthan 1 in Brickfields, Kuala Lumpur.
The stalls set up at the new centralised one-month Deepavali bazaar in Brickfields, which opened yesterday.
Mahalingam making the popular almond milk drink sold at his stall in the Tun Sambanthan Complex food court.
Thinakaran glad City Hall reduced the bazaar lot fee by 85% this year.
Sumathi is prepared to extend her daily operating hours and open over the weekends.
Shankar is looking forward to serving the bazaar crowd.
