DBKL wants illegal traders near apartments to clear out in 3 months

KUALA LUMPUR (Aug 23): Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) has laid down the law on up to 50 illegal traders near the Taman Jinjang Baru Apartments in Kepong – relocate in three months or their stalls will be torn down.

And delivering this no-nonsense message is Kepong lawmaker Lim Lip Eng. “Residents in Jinjang Selatan have put up with the illegal stalls for the past 10 years. Not only do they create hygiene issues, but they also take up parking space and affect the business of legitimate traders.

“Initially, there were only several stalls, but they eventually grew to about 50 stalls now. This has to stop,” he was reported saying by The Star after visiting the area following complaints by residents and legitimate traders.

Lim said the illegal traders “not only created a big hygiene headache, but also safety and social problems”.

Reports revealed that the illegal traders comprised Sabahans from Sandakan, Tawau and Kota Kinabalu.

“We cannot allow them to operate here simply on humanitarian grounds.

“They enjoyed trading illegally and for free for the last 10 years. But it is time to clear them out and improve the living conditions here,” Lim told The Star.

“When they find a legitimate location to operate their business, I welcome them to come see me. I will support their application to obtain a licence and permit from DBKL,” he added.

The Star also spoke with one of the illegal traders (who declined to be identified) selling food items. She said: “I have been operating here for the last four years. I do not cause any trouble to the residents here and they are friendly to me.

“Not all of us are causing the problems we are being accused of. Yes, we are trading illegally but we try our best not to trouble others.

“I hope the authorities can sympathise with us and maybe help us relocate to a legitimate location to continue our business. Most of us are just small time traders.”