City Hall rejects permits but traders to go ahead

Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) has denied permits to 60 petty traders to set up stalls on the road in front of the house of Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections (Bersih) co-chairperson Ambiga Sreenevasan on Thursday and Friday.

However, Kuala Lumpur Petty Traders Action Council chairperson Jamal Md Yunus (centre in photo) will go ahead with the protest.

Kuala Lumpur Mayor Ahmad Fuad Ismail has urged the traders to use the "appropriate channel" to make their claims.

"If this goes on, we will never hear the end of it. To gather in a peaceful assembly in front of her (Ambiga's) house, it's all right...," he said today after meeting Jamal, who was seeking DBKL's approval.

"But to erect stalls, DBKL will not allow it in accordance with the Streets, Drainage and Buildings Act 1974.

"This is because Ambiga's house is not the only house there. So my advice is that if they want to continue, (they) should look for a more suitable spot, one that is approved."

Ahmad Fuad said the protest would reflect badly on the country internationally and set a precedents for the future generation.

He advised the traders to opt for legal recourse to make up for their losses and not to let the matter drag on.

The trading zones that were painted in yellow would be covered using black paint by City Hall workers.

“Painting the lots is not allowed. Since they have done it we will re-paint it in black. And if they continue to do business (on Thursday and Friday), we will send enforcement there. The law must be respected. We will also ask for police cooperation,” Ahmad Fuad said.

However, Jamal insisted that the petty traders would trade there because they are performing their duties to earn a living.

“We respect DBKL’s decision. We will do our work and DBKL will do theirs,” he said.

“We will go on (with the market) until someone takes on the responsibility for our losses,” said Jamal.

Prime lot bid went for RM5,000
Jamal also said the prime trading zones opposite Ambiga’s house went to highest bidder Ahmad Diah Ali, who bought it for RM5,000 for both the days.

The lot was put up for bidding by the council in front of the City Hall building today, after a meeting with the mayor.

Ahmad, who plans to sell drinks and food at the stall, said he does not mind paying RM5,000 for the lot because he is very unhappy with Ambiga.

“I'm willing to pay RM5,000 because I’m not satisfied with (what) Ambiga (has done). Because of her, the business of traders has been disrupted,” he told reporters.

“I want to express my dissatisfaction by trading right opposite Ambiga’s house,” said Ahmad, 51, who had paid in cash for the lot. The other lots were sold at RM100 each.

Jamal said the petty traders were expecting at least 10,000 people to visit the 60 stalls to stay open from 3.30pm to 8pm, even though they have been denied trading permits by City Hall.