A backhoe clearing the demolished stalls along Jalan Taqwa near the Persiaran Puchong Permai roundabout. — LOW BOON TAT/The Star
TWENTY-FIVE stalls, which had been operating illegally along Jalan Taqwa in Puchong Permai, Selangor, were demolished in an operation led by Subang Jaya City Council (MBSJ).
Subang Jaya mayor Datuk Johary Anuar said the operation was carried out to make way for road infrastructure upgrades.
“The upgrades include the construction of pedestrian walkways on both sides, road kerb and pavement repairs, adding road signs and redrawing of lanes,” he said.
About 200 personnel, including MBSJ’s enforcement unit and those from agencies such as Petaling Land Office, Subang Jaya district police, Selangor Immigration Department, Tenaga Nasional Bhd and Air Selangor, were on site during yesterday’s operation near the Persia-ran Puchong Permai roundabout.
Several of the stall owners were also present, but most had already cleared away their belongings.
Johary said there were originally 36 illegal stalls at the site, where the traders had been given notices to vacate since Dec 28, 2020, and for the structures to be torn down.
Five stalls were demolished when the deadline expired back then, but further action was delayed after the state government ordered MBSJ to identify a new site for these stall owners.
“Three out of 36 stall owners agreed to move to the hawker centre in Puchong Permai Square when offered, while several others decided to move elsewhere.
“The offer still stands for the remaining 25 stall owners to move to the new site,” said Johary.
He said the operation yesterday morning went smoothly as all sides cooperated.
“MBSJ will close Jalan Taqwa for three days from today (Dec 21) to clear the site before proceeding with the upgrades,” he added.
The road upgrade, estimated to take two months, will start in Janu-ary next year at a cost of RM500,000.
Puchong Permai Primawalk Entrepreneur Association chairman Ismail Awang told StarMetro he was disappointed with the city council’s action as the stalls had been operating there since 2008.
“We know the city council has given us a new site to run our businesses but the location is not suitable and we fear our income will be affected.
“We sent a letter to the Selangor Mentri Besar pleading for a delay in demolition works and were told to discuss the matter with the city council,” he said.
In response to this, Johary said the MBSJ’s infrastructure development plans had been discussed with the stall owners.
