MALACCA: Hope is rising among Jonker Walk traders after a positive response from the Chief Minister over the future of the street market since a 13-month stalemate began.
Datuk Seri Idris Haron sent an SMS to The Star on Saturday saying he would help after local council personnel issued summonses to some of the traders for several offences on Friday.
At 11.55pm that day, a group of traders met with The Star to protest against the summonses and raise the issue of whether or not the state government would relent in its decision to close down the street market.
The traders felt they were being unfairly targeted by the council’s enforcement officers.
They claimed that they were also being forced to renew their business licences every three months since early this year instead of annually.
The Star then sent SMS and WhatsApp messages at about 2am on Saturday, detailing the difficulties faced by traders and their hope that Idris would intervene since other attempts to resolve the impasse had failed.
At 5.06am during sahur, Idris texted back: “Ok, I will do.”
Teo Chee Keong, 42, speaking on behalf of the traders, said the Chief Minister’s positive response over their predicament was good news during the holy month of Ramadan.
He said the traders would arrange a buka puasa event to thank the Chief Minister and his team.
