SHAH ALAM, July 14: Selangor State Executive Councillors have never been involved in the decision to close the Ramadan Bazaar in Reko Sentral Kajang, which is trying to be exploited by certain quarters to be made a racial issue.
According to the Local Government, Studies and Research Exco, Datuk Teng Chang Khim, he believes fully in the Mayor or the President and Council Members in making the best decision for their respective areas.
“I want to thank my Exco friends. So far, they have never intervened in the affairs under my jurisdiction,” he said in reply to claims that Selangor State Government Excos ordered the closure of the bazaar.
“So all the allegations said that I interfered in this matter are reckless allegations. It is a total lie.
“I hope that all those who are disappointed with the decision of MPKj to not blame me.
“I have never interfered in a single case, watch you words especially during this Ramadan month. It is slanderous, be responsible for your own sins,” he said when met by TVSelangor.
On July 11, the MPKj Corporate and Public Relations Officer, Kamarul Izan Sulaiman said that the decision to close the Ramadan bazaar was made after a complaint from a store owner at the commercial area of Reko Sentral Kajang.
According to Kamarul Izlan, the decision was to avoid misunderstandings between store owners and hawkers in the bazaar. It is also to avoid traffic congestion in the commercial area.
Following the decision, the MPKj enforcers have closed Jalan Reko Sentral 2 to ensure that hawkers cannot set up their stalls and to prevent any effort to revive the bazaar.
Some blogs have been trying to exploit the decision by claiming that it was made by a non-Muslim Selangor Government Exco; Teng, the Selangor State Assembly (DNS) Speaker, Hannah Yeoh and two other State Government Excos, Ean Yong Hian Wah and Elizabeth Wong.
In his response today, Yeng said that since he started his duties on the first day, he has repeatedly said that he will give full credence to the local authorities and the Mayors to manage affairs in their respective areas.
“So far, I still adhere to that principle and I have never interfered with any decision made by the local authorities,” he said after the ‘Charity Walk-The World My Homeland’ walkathon here at the National Botanical Gardens.
