The new food court in Jalan Kerja Ayer Lama, Ampang is set to be operational by the end of the year. — LOW LAY PHON/The Star
LONG-time food stall operators at Lorong Kerja Ayer Lama in Ampang, Selangor, are against relocating to a new food court nearby.
The nine traders, who have been operating at the spot for more than 20 years, said the food court would not be conducive for business.
The food court, located some 200m away from their current location, is being built along with an anaerobic digestion (AD) plant adjacent to the new site.
According to Ampang Jaya Municipal Council (MPAJ), the two facilities are set to be completed and operational by the end of the year.
The food stall operators’ representative, Parwiz Kausar, said they were aware that they would be required to relocate when the project was first mooted several years ago.“Even then, we were against it as many people do not like going to food courts.
“With the new site, there is insufficient parking for visitors as most of the bays are utilised by office workers nearby who park there the entire day.
“Seeing the new structure, we also have concerns about the height of the roof; it is too high and will be an issue when it rains,” he elaborated.
Parwiz also voiced concerns about the AD facility being so close to the food court, which could emit foul smells and put off visitors.
“Its proximity to the Chinese and Hindu burial grounds could deter visitors too,” he noted.
He said MPAJ had informed the traders that they would need to prepare to relocate in the next two months.
“We are planning to start a petition to urge MPAJ to allow us to stay at our current site.”
A mixed rice operator, who wanted to be known only as Nurman, 39, said the space allocated for each stall at the new facility was too small.
“Operators here sell different types of food, so each has different requirements.
“With the limited space, we would have to cut down on the number of workers,” he said, adding that storage would also be an issue.
MPAJ president Mohd Fauzi Mohd Yatim said discussions would be held with the operators to iron out concerns.
“They will still have to relocate as their current site in Lorong Kerja Ayer Lama is not a designated trading area.
“The food court has been built to house the traders in a systematic and centralised manner.
“Once they are moved, we will turn the area into a parking lot for food court visitors,” he said.
On the AD facility, Mohd Fauzi said it would be able to process 500kg of food waste a day.
Waste from 63 food premises, two hotels and a hospital will be processed at the plant.
“The biogas produced by the digester would be used to generate electricity and as fertiliser.
“The machine is provided by the Solid Waste Management and Public Cleansing Corporation and managed by MPAJ,” he added.
MPAJ had said the AD plant was one way of tackling excessive food waste by processing it into compost and biogas instead of allowing the waste to fill up landfills.
