KAJANG, July 13: The action of the Kajang Municipal Council (MPKj) to close the Ramadan Bazaar at the business centre in Reko Sentral Kajang has caused unexpected problems to store operators there.
In addition to cancelling the permits for the bazaar, MPKj enforcers have closed Jalan Reko Sentral 2 to ensure that hawkers cannot set up their stalls and prevent any attempt to revive that bazaar.
However, the road closure has resulted in the declining sales of shops there because the road is the main access for customers to reach their stores.
The business carnival permit organised by the Langat Jaya Residents’ Association was previously cancelled by MPKj following complaints from shop owners, the issue of traffic congestion and to avoid misunderstandings between shop owners and bazaar organisers.
However, according to several shop owners, the move to close the road has caused their business to incur terrible losses.
“I do not agree with it at all. When the main road is closed, not only my store but the restaurant in front and the stores next door have said the same.
“At night they open, they tel me that there is no business, the roads look vacant, it’s all empty,” said the trader of health and beauty products, Azian Eka Puteri to TVSelangor yesterday evening.
According to Azian, the decline of business started since MPKj closed the roads a few days before the Ramadan recently.
In addition to that Azian, the road closure also resulted in the Econsave supermarket environment has also been very quiet compared to before.
When commenting of the cancellation of the Ramadan Bazaar Carnival, Azin said that the existence of the said carnival was at least capable of attracting many people to the business area.
“Even if they cancel the Ramadan carnival, they should keep the main road open,” she added.
On 11 July, the Kajang Municipal Council (MPKj) Corporate and Public Relations Officer, Kamarul Izlan Sulaiman said that they decided to close the Ramadan bazaar after receiving complaints from the shop operators there.
The Clothing shop operator, Cheng Pet Sze also said that her business started to be affected to a point that one day, she did not even get a single customer.
“If the road is closed, vehicles cannot pass through, people can’t see our shops,” said Pet Sze.
Survey from TVSelangor in Reko Sentral Kajang last night found the Jalan Reko Sentral 2 was closed both ways which was barricaded by safety and MPKj lorries.
Some MPKj enforcement personnel also was found to be in the location to ensure that the Ramadan Bazaar Carnival was not set-up in the area.
A row of business premises and parking area in Reko Sentral Kajang looked very deserted.
Another owner of a clothing store, Ain Idayu Che Husin urged for MPKj to re-open Jalan Reko Sentral 2 allow vehicles to enter the business area.
According to him, MPKj move to close Jalan Reko Sentral 2 to vehicles does not help store owners in Reko Sentral Kajang.
