Shops along Petaling Street shuttered

A Demostrator wearing mask Donald Trump during the Bersih 5 gathering at Jalan Tun PerakAZHAR MAHFOF/The Star

KUALA LUMPUR: Petaling Street, usually a hive of activity during the weekend, was almost a ghost town on rally day.

Most of the shops there were closed for the day as both Bersih 5 and the Red Shirts converged on downtown Kuala Lumpur.

Kuala Lumpur Hawkers and Petty Traders Association president Datuk Ang Say Tee said he had advised all traders to close.

“Safety is our priority. We don’t want any untoward incident,” he said when contacted.

Asked on the estimated losses, Ang replied that the affected traders were willing to bear the losses, as long as everyone was safe.

He said 90% of the 773 stalls in Petaling Street had closed for the day.

In contrast, some businesses that chose to stay open found unexpected windfall.

A chicken rice seller, who only wanted to be known as Chan, said he sold 50% more food than he usually would on a Saturday. Most of the customers wore yellow shirts.

Asked if he feared any confrontation near his shop in Jalan Tun HS Lee, he said he did not.

“It happens every year now, so we are not afraid of it any more,” he added.

A bakery owner along Jalan Hang Lekiu facing Petaling Street said most of her customers yesterday were Bersih participants.

“It is quieter than usual but business is still all right,” she said.

Gallery executive Zull Fittri, who works at an art and craft shop in Central Market, said many tourists avoided the area.

However, he said compared with previous Bersih protests, Bersih 5 was peaceful, which allowed him to keep the shop open a little longer.

Peter Kang, 32, who operates a mobile phone store near Kota Raya, said there were still non-protesters and tourists around so there was “potential for business”.

“I have bills to pay and these days I cannot simply close shop,” he said.

On the other hand, ice-cream seller Mohamed Bilal John, 35, said he enjoyed better business during Bersih rallies.

He has been selling the soft treats ever since the first Bersih rally.

“Last year, when the rally was held over two days, I made RM2,500,” said Mohamed Bilal, who hawks from his motorcycle at the Bangsar LRT station.

“It’s a good place because the people here are very respectful and don’t disturb me.”