Trader operating illegal eatery in KL clears walkway

Structures at Jalan Sepadu removed following DBKL notice, but others remain in area

A TRADER operating an illegal eatery on a walkway at Jalan Sepadu in Taman United, Kuala Lumpur has cleared the structures.

Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) issued a notice to the individual to clear the area two weeks ago and a visit by StarMetro showed that the structures had been dismantled.

Enforcement officers issued a notice to the trader for obstruction and misusing his restaurant licence to operate an eatery on the walkway.

The individual removed everything on his own accord and the area where the stall once stood is now clear of obstructions.

According to a DBKL enforcement officer who declined to be named, the individual had a valid licence to operate an eatery.

“He had a restaurant licence but had set up a business on a walkway and installed permanent structures, which is illegal,” the officer said,

The illegal structures on the walkway in Taman United have since been dismantled and removed (below).

StarMetro’s June 7 report, “Stall builds structures on walkway,” revealed that the trader had taken up a sizable portion of the walkway by putting up a covered stall, installing a grille and putting up tables and chairs.

Residents living nearby had questioned why the local authority had allowed the trader to put up permanent structures, including fans and lights.

Traders operating stalls licensed under the Petty Traders (Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur) 1989 By-Law said it was not fair that a business with a restaurant licence was allowed to operate there.

“I have been here for 10 years and have never built an illegal extension,” said N. Sidek, a petty trader selling fruits and drinks.

“But why did they (DBKL) allow people who can afford a restaurant licence to carry out renovations on a public walkway?

“Not only did he take up walking space, it was unfair competition for traders like me.”

StarMetro saw another stall operator who had carried out extensive renovations along Jalan Sepadu and taken up a sizable portion of the walkway.

The structure with a zinc roof was tightly packed with cooking equipment, gas tanks, fridge and food display counter, leaving little room for movement.

Apart from the grille, the floor had been tiled and tables and chairs were placed along a walkway with a sink connected to a water source nearby.

“The gas tanks and makeshift electrical connection pose a risk to the public,” said nearby resident CK Lim.

“With the unpredictable weather, the structure poses a danger too as they might collapse during a storm and injure passers-by.”

Another resident, Tan Pek Har, was happy that action had been taken against one trader.

“But what about the others who are doing the same thing?’’ he asked.

When contacted, a DBKL enforcement officer confirmed the second stall was also operating illegally using a restaurant licence.

“The Licensing and Business Development Department is currently relooking at all stalls operating along Jalan Sepadu,” he added.