Authorities step in to resolve Deepavali Stalls Shutdown in Brickfields, KL

Vendors Upset Over Stall Closures Ahead of Deepavali

In Brickfields, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, just days before Deepavali, several stall owners were left frustrated and worried after local authorities unexpectedly dismantled their stalls on Saturday, October 19, 2024.

Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) took down the stalls due to a dispute over the number of stalls approved for the festive market. The sudden closure affected about ten vendors who had been preparing for the busy shopping season.

The issue arose because the organization managing the market was approved by DBKL to operate 20 stalls. However, the organization went over this limit and rented out spaces to more than 20 traders. This breach led to DBKL removing the extra stalls, leaving some vendors without a place to run their businesses during an important sales period.

According to Sinar Harian, the problem stemmed from the excess number of stalls offered by the organization.

Authorities Step In to Resolve the Issue

After hearing about the vendors’ frustration, Dr. Zaliha Mustafa, Malaysia’s Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department for Federal Territories, quickly stepped in to help sort out the situation. She visited the Brickfields bazaar and met with the affected vendors before instructing DBKL to find a solution immediately.

Following her intervention, DBKL quickly set up three extra tents to provide space for six of the vendors while making arrangements for two more tents to accommodate the remaining four vendors. This swift action was aimed at ensuring all affected vendors could resume operating.

New Management Approach to Avoid Future Problems

To prevent similar problems from happening in the future, DBKL announced that it would take over the management of festive markets directly, including Deepavali and Ramadan bazaars. The aim is to ensure that market rules are followed properly and to avoid issues with rent and stall allocations.

Dr. Zaliha also pointed out that similar issues had occurred during other festive seasons, highlighting the need for a consistent approach to managing these events. She stated that the new strategy will help protect small businesses and ensure that operations run smoothly.

Screengrabs translated from Dr Zaliha Mustafa’s Instagram

A Step Forward for Market Management

The Brickfields Deepavali market issue shows the importance of proper management of public markets, especially during key festive seasons. With DBKL taking direct control of market operations in the future, there is optimism that future events will be better organized, benefiting both vendors and shoppers.

With Deepavali just around the corner, the resolution of this dispute means vendors can get back to their preparations, and the market can proceed as planned.

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@drzalihamustafa

DBKL AKAN PERMUDAHKAN URUSAN PENIAGA YANG TERKESAN DENGAN ISU BAZAR DEEPAVALI BRICKFIELDS Saya dimaklumkan tentang berkenaan isu yang tular terkait Bazar Deepavali di Brickfields. Dikatakan ada peniaga yang tidak dibenarkan berniaga di bazar tersebut. Bila saya buat semakan, rupa-rupanya pengurusan bazar tersebut dikendalikan oleh sebuah persatuan, termasuk berkaitan pengurusan peniaga bazar. Isunya adalah, kebenaran jumlah tapak yang diberikan oleh DBKL kepada persatuan tersebut adalah 20 tapak. Tetapi pihak persatuan telah tawarkan tapak perniagaan melebihi jumlah tapak yang dibenarkan. Jadi, disebabkan itu, tapak yang lebih itu diambil tindakan oleh DBKL. Bukan salah mereka. Tapi pihak ketiga yang menguruskan yang tidak ikut arahan yang ditetapkan oleh DBKL. Perkara ini bukan kali ni sahaja berlaku. Waktu Bazar Ramadan yang lalu pun berlaku juga. Jadi, saya rasa perlu ada tindakan serius diambil. Saya telah arahkan DBKL untuk pastikan, semua bazar selepas ini tidak lagi diserahkan kepada pihak ketiga untuk dikendalikan, sebaliknya DBKL sendiri yang perlu menguruskan bazar tersebut. Banyak implikasi lain yang terjadi jika serahkan kepada pihak ketiga untuk uruskan seperti ini. Contohnya, DBKL sewakan kepada pihak ketiga dengan nilai yang rendah, tetapi sewa itu akan dinaikkan oleh pihak ketiga tersebut. Fair enough… sebab semua pengurusan mereka yang buat, termasuk memeriahkan suasana bazar dan sebagainya, tetapi kos sewa tinggi yang disewa oleh mereka itu siapa yang akan tanggung? Sudah pasti akan diserap dalam harga jualan mereka. Untuk kes di Brickfields ini, perkara dah pun jadi. Deepavali pun berbaki kurang lebih 10 hari lagi. Tadi saya dah hubungi Datuk Bandar minta bantu permudahkan urusan mereka yang terkesan ini. Saya dimaklumkan ada 10 orang. Saya minta DBKL untuk cari kawasan kepada mereka untuk berniaga dan bantu permudahkan lesen mereka. Ini masa untuk mereka cari sedikit duit untuk sambut Deepavali yang akan tiba. Semoga dipermudahkan segala urusan. #DrZ #WilayahPersekutuanKita #MalaysiaMADANI #50WP #bazar #deepavali #brickfields #dbkl #2024 #malaysia

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