TTDI night market to close

 

Source: http://www.thestar.com.my/News/Community/2014/01/21/Closure-unbelievable-say-regulars-Decision-to-shut-down-night-market-following-condo-residents-compl/ (By BY VIJENTHI NAIR 21/1/2014)

REGULARS at the Taman Tun Dr Ismail night market are shocked over Kuala Lumpur City Hall’s (DBKL) sudden closure notice of the Sunday market effective Jan 26.

A photo of the notice dated Jan 16 that was issued to the hawkers on Sunday has been circulating via Twitter from Sunday night.

The notice stated that DBKL made the decision after the hawkers failed to address the frequent complaints on traffic congestion and cleanliness.

Regulars at the night market took to Twitter to voice their dissatisfaction.

“What’s this news about the TTDI pasar malam getting shut down! :((( I feel like my childhood is getting robbed! :(((,” Rachael Looi tweeted.

“Lame excuses, cleanliness and traffic congestion,” Pankajkumar tweeted.

“Pasar malam TTDI has the best meehun sup :( and it has been there since I was a little girl. Really stupid reason to shutdown a pasar malam,” Katrina von Gazzali tweeted.

Long queue: People lining up to buy food at the night market on a Sunday.- filepic

“DBKL is shutting down the Sunday pasar malam in TTDI at the end of January. Unbelievable!” tweeted Myra M.

Kuala Lumpur mayor Datuk Seri Ahmad Phesal Talib said DBKL had received numerous complaints on the poor management of the night market over the last two years.

“The complaints were from Sinaran TTDI condominium folk as well as residents from the surrounding area.

“DBKL has held discussions with the condominium’s Joint Management Body (JMB) over the complaints but nothing has been resolved.

“The area is not suitable for a night market but it was allowed all these years due to demand from the people.

“If the night market organiser and Sinaran TTDI condominium JMB can find a solution, the night market can go on.

“However, our priority is the residents welfare.

“The main complaints are on traffic obstruction, making it difficult for the condominium residents to come and go, as well as cleanliness,” he said.

Ahmad Phesal stressed that it was not their intention to make life difficult for the hawkers.

“Although the notice of closure is out, I hope the organiser and the JMB will come up with an amicable solution for a win-win situation,” he said.

TTDI Residents Association secretary Margaret Lee said they were very unhappy about not being consulted before issuing the notice.

“We heard rumours about the closure and I wrote to DBKL to clarify the matter in early January.

“The reply from DBKL stated that they will investigate the matter. Then suddenly, the hawkers were slapped with the notices.

“The night market has been around for more than 30 years and closure will greatly effect the residents as well as the livelihood of the hawkers,” she said.

Meanwhile, Segambut MP Lim Lip Eng said he will write to the Federal Territory Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor requesting for an explanation for the closure order and forward a copy of the letter to Kuala Lumpur mayor Datuk Seri Ahmad Phesal Talib.

“The closure order was given without any consultation with the residents’ association (RA).

“The RA does not agree with the decision. I advise the hawkers to carry on with business as usual this coming Sunday pending a reply from Tengku Adnan,” he said.