Compiled by C. ARUNO and DIVYA THERESA RAVI
Rising rental costs have triggered a wave of shop closures in a commercial area in Kuchai Lama, Kuala Lumpur, with the vacant lots gradually being replaced by food and beverage operators from China.
Sin Chew Daily reported that many once-familiar local shops in the area now have their shutters lowered and plastered with posters, indicating that the premises were available for rent.
The entire row of shops along Jalan Radin Bagus 1 has now been occupied almost exclusively by restaurants from China, offering everything from Sichuan cuisine to barbeque and hotpot.
According to See Foo Hoong, the deputy president of the Malaysia Chinese Assembly Hall, China businesses now make up nearly a third of shops in the area, earning it the nickname “China Street”.
He said local businesses began leaving the area early last year due to rising rental costs and weak prospects.
Financially stronger businesses, made largely of food and beverage businesses from China, began replacing them, he said.
See also claimed he received complaints from local businesses that landlords favour tenants from China over locals.
“The main reason is the significant difference in rental rates.
“For example, a unit previously rented to a local business for around RM20,000 can fetch RM30,000 to RM35,000 when rented to a tenant from China.
See expects the trend to continue and warned local businesses that they would continue losing out if they do not adapt and improve. He urged landlords to provide space for local businesses to maintain a healthier commercial ecosystem and ensure sustainable development.
> A resident in Klang, Selangor, was aghast when someone dumped six dogs next to her shop in the wee hours of the morning, China Press reported.
CCTV footage showed at 2.30am, a car was driven to the side of her shop. However, the number plate was not visible due to poor lighting. A person wearing a grey jacket got out, took six dogs from the car and placed them in cages before leaving. The resident, Carmen, posted the footage online, hoping to locate the owners.
“Do you recognise these dogs as belonging to your friends or neighbours? If you know anything, please WhatsApp me privately,” she wrote.
Carmen said she has sent the canines to be neutered and that she will house them at her shop for one week.
She said if no one comes forward, she will send them to a shelter.
The above articles are compiled from the vernacular newspapers (Bahasa Malaysia, Chinese and Tamil dailies). As such, stories are grouped according to the respective language/medium. Where a paragraph begins with a >, it denotes a separate news item.
