New roof over Petaling Street

VISITORS to Petaling Street may notice there is a brand new stretch of blue roofing over one-third of the road that is a popular tourist spot.

It replaces the old roofing, said to have been more than five years old, some panels of which were falling off, hence posing a danger to traders and customers.

The completed stretch is the first phase of the upgrading work to be done. The second phase started last Friday.

Bukit Bintang MP Fong Kui Lun, who was at the site to see the completed work on Friday, said the roof replacement project, which was divided into three phases, cost over RM1mil.

It is being undertaken by the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL).

“The reason the DBKL divided the work into three phases is to minimise interruption and not cause too much inconvenience to the traders as those operating in the affected sections have been asked to close their business during the upgrading,” Fong said.

“When the first phase was being carried out, the traders in that section could not operate. The work was completed within 18 days and they resumed business today (last Friday).

“Now, it’s the turn of the traders in the second section to close to facilitate the second phase.

“This contractor has been ahead of schedule and we expect the second phase to be completed by Nov 9, after which the third phase will start.”

It is learnt that the roof is of the same polycarbonate material as the old roof, but Fong said this time around, it had stronger aluminium beams and lining.

“Lighting has been added and there are also roof gutters to channel rain water away,” he said.

Kuala Lumpur Hawkers and Petty Traders Association vice-chairman Datuk Ang Say Tee said what was important was the safety of traders and customers as some of the loose polycarbonate panels of the old roof had fallen and hit people in the process.

“We thank the DBKL for the allocation and attention in this matter.

“However, it is regrettable the contract specifications do not include repainting of the supporting columns/pillars, which are already rusty with the paint slowly peeling off.

“I urge the DBKL to also consider this soon so that the pillars will complement the new roof.”

During the site visit, the heat could be felt but Fong said it was probably due to the roof’s light blue colour instead of a darker hue, which might result in a more sombre atmosphere.

Ang said he was happy that the traders had given their cooperation during the upgrading.

A bag trader, who wished to be known only as Steven and has been operating there for over 10 years, said he had suffered losses when he had to close but conceded that the work had to be done sooner or later.

He said the roof was probably last changed in 2002, adding that it was too early to tell if the new roof was satisfactory.

Another trader, selling watches, who declined to be named, however said it had only been a few years since the roof was changed and questioned its quality.

“When it rained (the previous day), it had caused a little flooding that affected our stall.

“Now that it is the rainy season, we may even have to close early,” he said, adding that the DBKL should do some checks,” he said.

Petaling Street has 773 licensed traders and, according to Fong, there should not be anymore foreign workers manning the stalls following the June 1 ultimatum by the DBKL that traders who employed foreign helpers would have their licences revoked.

He said that although some workers looked like foreigners, they were really locals from Sabah, and that the DBKL enforcement team made daily rounds to ensure the stalls observed the ruling.