Operators unhappy with new Deepavali bazaar site

A GROUP of 50 Deepavali bazaar traders who have been operating in Little India, Brickfields, are unhappy about being relocated to a smaller site.

Little India Brickfields Traders Association said they received a letter from Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) on Oct 16 informing them of the relocation to a short lane off Jalan Tun Sambanthan.

The affected traders usually set up their stalls along Jalan Tun Sambanthan from the Lorong Chong Ah Tong junction to Jalan Rozario junction.

Association chairman Thinakaran Periannan said they were told a building owner had said the stalls were obstructing foot traffic.

“The new location can only accommodate eight stalls. Where are the rest of us supposed to go?” he asked.

Heavy traffic during last year’s Deepavali bazaar. — Filepic

Due to this, the traders have decided not to start operating the bazaar, which they had planned to over the weekend.

In past years, the bazaar usually ran for three weeks before Deepavali, operating daily from 10am to 11pm.

Thinakaran urged DBKL to meet with the association to discuss the issue as Deepavali falls on Nov 12.

Thinakaran (left) and Gunaseelan are appealing to DBKL to allow them to trade at their previous spot.

A DBKL letter sent to the association sighted by StarMetro stated that the previous bazaar site was unsuitable.

Association committee member Gunaseelan M. Subramaniam urged DBKL to reconsider its decision.

Pauline says many traders prefer to operate at DBKL’s bazaar.

“The traders have forked out a hefty sum to operate the Deepavali bazaar and are now incurring losses as they cannot start.

“This is a once-in-a-year chance for us,” he said.

Chitra Devi Muniandy, who planned to sell traditional attire with her daughter, said she had already spent RM80,000 buying stock.

“We have been operating here for the 15 years without any issues.

“Our regular site offers good returns due to its central location,” she said.

Pauline Getha Tharumapala said many traders preferred to operate at DBKL’s bazaar due to the cheaper rental.

“Many shopowners in the area do rent out the space in front of their premises but the fees are higher,” she said.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s political secretary Datuk Azman Abidin said the previous location was no longer conducive as the trading area was encroaching on the road.

Chitra Devi has already bought RM80,000 of stock for the bazaar.

“But we also understand that traders spent a significant amount of money to purchase goods to sell during this festive period so we are trying to find an alternative location.

“We are committed to ensuring that the traders will be able to do business this Deepavali,” he said.

Azman added that he would be visiting the site personally with DBKL officers today.