Ipoh traders wants Gerbang Malam shade structure expanded

IPOH: Traders at the popular Gerbang Malam (night market) site here complain that the shade structure at a certain stretch of the road is yet to be affixed, causing them to lose business during the rainy season.

Gerbang Malam, situated along Jalan Dato Tahwil Azar, is a popular tourist destination. It is divided into four zones, and the roofing installed this year only covers zone A and part of zone B.

The Ipoh City Council had said that the project cost about RM3mil, with the first phase covering a stretch of about 380m.

Gerbang Malam operates from 6pm to midnight daily.

Roslan Ali, the president of the Aj Kinta Perak Community Welfare Association, who also has a stall at the site, said traders were upset that the authorities were not looking into installing roofs at the other sections.

The structure with the shade and the rest of the street is without the roofing.

He said traders must hold on to their tents during a heavy downpour and thunderstorms to stop them from being blown away.

“This is a tourist area. When it rains, not only the traders are affected, but the visitors as well.

“I feel that the authorities must look into the matter urgently, as this involves our livelihood. The walkway made with cobblestone pavers is also a bad design, causing many people to fall.

“The state executive councillors in charge, and the Local Government Development Minister Nga Kor Ming, who is from Perak, and the area which falls under his state constituency (Kepayang) must look into the matter seriously,” he added.

Another trader, Anuar Mohamad, 50, said they have been asking the Ipoh City Council about the project’s progress for a long time only to be told that the council is waiting for allocations.

“When it rains, those traders under the shade can operate their business, but we, sometimes until 9pm, cannot do so.

“We cannot risk opening our stalls when it rains because if our products get wet, we are at the losing end,’’ he added.

Only certain part has the shade, while the rest of the areas where Gerbang Malam is open air.

Gerbang Malam Entrepreneur Welfare Association chairman Ahmad Irwan Othman said many traders were irritated as it took too long for the project’s next phase to start.

He said the association has been having engagement sessions with the City Council to get the latest information.

“We hear that there is a possibility that shade structure would be expanded further.

“I hope this will be the case, as the traders are getting frustrated,’’ he added.

When contacted, mayor Datuk Rumaizi Baharin said the City Council is trying to get allocations to continue phase two of the shade structure project.

He said the phase two project is expected to start next year.

“However, the distance of the shade structure would depend on the allocation approved,” he added.