TWENTY-eight traders at Medan Selera Taman Rekreasi Ayer Panas in Kampung Semarak, Kuala Lumpur are concerned about their livelihood as their licenses will not be renewed by Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) next month.
Some of the traders are currently trading without permission due to expired licenses while others stated that their permits would expire in September.
Traders mentioned that DBKL informed them that the food court is no longer under its authority as the land it is situated on has been sold.
“I am unable to sleep at night thinking about my family’s future,” said 28-year-old Zaiman Tail.
Zaiman, who sells nasi lemak and roti canai, expressed that the authorities should engage in a dialogue with traders to clarify the situation.
“Why do we have to hear about this from others? DBKL, please act professionally and communicate with us,” said Zaiman.
The traders’ representative, Mohd Radzi Jaafar, stated that it has been challenging to make a living since the Covid-19 pandemic hit.
“We have not had the opportunity to earn money since the pandemic began in 2020,” he remarked.
“We have been treated poorly for many years, and we are tired of it,” added Syahizan Mat Isa, another food trader.
“If we are asked to vacate, how will I support my family?” asked the 46-year-old.
Mohd Faizal Jaafar shared that a DBKL officer informed him that traders’ licenses will not be renewed.
“This is distressing because we were initially relocated from Medan Selera Semarak in 2019 as the land we operated on was privately owned.
“We were then given this place, and now, three years later, the land has been sold, and we have to relocate once again,” he explained.
Traders also complained about the money they invested in building the stalls from scratch when they moved in four years ago.
When contacted, a DBKL officer confirmed that the site where the traders were operating has been sold to a third party.
“Whether they can continue operating on the land will depend on the new owner,” stated the spokesperson.
“For now, they can remain there until an application is made to the new owners to stay and continue trading.”
Credit: The Star : Metro Feed
