Very few traders are operating their stalls at the wet market area of the new market complex.
TRADERS at Pasar Raja Bot, who were supposed to shift into the newly built Kompleks Pasar Raja Bot, are still reluctant to move as they believe it does not get enough customers.
Both markets are located in the Chow Kit neighbourhood in Kuala Lumpur.
The traders said customers were used to their old stalls at Pasar Raja Bot, which is situated next to the main market area where the fruits and vegetable stalls are located.
Persatuan Penjaja-Penjaja dan Peniaga-Peniaga Kecil Kawasan Chow Kit chairman Yuesnaedy Idrus said some of the traders who had moved to the new complex later came back to their old stalls as the latter had more customers.
“Most of those who have moved to the new complex complained that their business has dropped.
“Although the new complex is equipped with better facilities, there is a lack of promotion of the building and customers are unaware about it.
“Some traders are waiting for others to move in to assess public feedback on the new market complex,” said Yuesnaedy, who also urged Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) to help promote the new market complex.
During a site visit to the new four-storey complex, StarMetro observed that the stalls had low occupancy with only a handful of traders having moved into the shoplots on the ground and first floors.
The ground level had several rows of trading lots and stalls for chicken, fish and meat sellers.
“Only several traders were seen operating at the wet market area, with barely any visitors in sight.
The first floor had a huge food court while the top two floors housed administrative offices and more trading lots.
Yuesnaedy said a lot of housekeeping work was needed, as minor problems had been cropping up since the traders were given the keys to their lots in March.
“For example, the centralised cooking hood for food stalls and shop shutters are not working properly.
“The pathway for ferrying goods from the basement is also too narrow.
“The coconut milk sellers who want to collect coconuts stored in the basement area find it difficult to manoeuvre along the pathway,” he said.
Yuesnaedy also wanted DBKL to prevent traders from different categories from selling the same items.
“For example, both dry goods and vegetable traders are selling onions, resulting in competition among those selling the same items,” he said, adding that the association had written to DBKL about the matter.
Snack trader Yong Song Quah, 77, said business had been slow after he moved to the new complex.
“The previous trading lots in Pasar Raja Bot had a larger space.
“Moreover, not many people know about the new place.
“It would be much better if all the traders moved in together to the new complex,” he said.
Noodle seller Tan Mei Xia, 62, said she barely made any sales on a weekday.
“I had to move because water and electricity supply were not available at my old spot in the wet market.
“But there are barely any customers in the new complex.
“The workspace at my new stall is too wide, making it difficult to reach for certain items and to hand orders over to customers,” she said.
However, fried noodle hawker Tan Kuan said the move to the food court in the new complex was a blessing as his business had increased.
“I would only get two to three orders at the old market building.
“Now, more people patronise the food court as it is more comfortable, spacious and airy.
“Although the current stall is smaller than the old one, I am happy here,” said the 81-year-old.
DBKL has not responded to requests for comments at press time.
