Enforcement officers from DBKL arranging the confiscated goods during an enforcement operation at Bazaria Wangsa Maju, Kuala Lumpur on May 24.
Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) confiscated goods and demolished unlicensed stalls that were operating in Bazaria Wangsa Maju, Kuala Lumpur on Friday (May 24).
This was part of an ongoing operation by DBKL that targeted some 165 unlicensed traders who had failed to comply with DBKL's order to vacate their premises.
In a video posted on May 20, DBKL explained that these unlicensed traders had caused several problems to the other 500 licence holders.
"These traders occupied the parking bays in the bazaar, causing traffic congestion at the main road - Jalan 1/23e.
"They also use the water and electricity in the bazaar without authorisation.
"DBKL had issued 12 notices to them since 2022, with the latest one on April 29.
"The traders had sufficient time to vacate their premises," it said in the video.
When contacted, DBKL advisory board member Lai Chen Heng said the 500 licensed traders were still allowed to operate in Bazaria Wangsa Maju before the relocation to a new spot in Jalan Genting Klang takes place.
A DBKL bulldozer demolishing an unlicensed stall at Bazaria Wangsa Maju, Kuala Lumpur during an enforcement operation on May 24.
"The construction at the site is in its final stage. Traders would be able to do business at the new spot next year," he said.
Mohd Umar Abdul Hamid, a member of the Federal Territory Malay Hawkers and Small Traders Association, wants DBKL to allow the unlicensed traders to continue trading in the bazaar until the move.
"We have been trading here for three years. We have also repeatedly applied for licences from DBKL, but our applications were not approved," he said.
According to Mohd Umar, the Federal Territory Malay Hawkers and Small Traders Association oversees some 88 unlicensed stalls in the bazaar.
Another trader Haji Ibrahim Marican said about 39 of the 500 licence holders had set up "additional stalls" to raise more funds for the Bazaria Wangsa Maju Traders' Association, which is the official body recognised by DBKL to represent the traders.
"DBKL is always slow in responding to our requests for facility maintenance and repairs.
"The traders' association can do the work for us, but it needs funds.
Residues of a demolished stall at Bazaria Wangsa Maju, Kuala Lumpur after an enforcement operation by DBKL on May 24
"After today's operation, we will just continue our businesses in our originally stipulated lots," he told StarMetro when met at Bazaria Wangsa Maju today.
However, Lai said these "additional stalls" have violated DBKL's terms and conditions.
"The 500 licence holders obtained their licences in 2019 and there have been no changes to this number since then.
"They simply cannot open any other 'additional stalls' other than the one permitted by their licences," he said.
In a statement today, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Federal Territories) Dr Zaliha Mustafa said she had ordered DBKL to consider giving licences to the 165 unlicensed traders through the Lestari Niaga initiative.
"These traders will either be placed at the licensed lots in Bazaria Wangsa Maju or in any nearby locations," she said in the statement.
Enforcement officers from DBKL arranging the confiscated goods during an enforcement operation at Bazaria Wangsa Maju, Kuala Lumpur on May 24.
An enforcement officer from DBKL picking up the confiscated goods during an enforcement operation at Bazaria Wangsa Maju, Kuala Lumpur.
A DBKL bulldozer demolishing an unlicensed stall at Bazaria Wangsa Maju, Kuala Lumpur during an enforcement operation on May 24.
Residues of a demolished stall at Bazaria Wangsa Maju, Kuala Lumpur after an enforcement operation by DBKL on May 24
Some unlicensed traders at Bazaria Wangsa Maju, Kuala Lumpur vacating their premises during an enforcement operation by DBKL on May 24.
An overview of the goods confiscated by DBKL during an enforcement operation at Bazaria Wangsa Maju, Kuala Lumpur on May 24.
DBKL bulldozer demolishing an unlicensed stall during an enforcement operation at Bazaria Wangsa Maju, Kuala Lumpur on May 24.
