People’s Park in Damansara Damai, Petaling Jaya has 40 lots for traders. — Photos: KENJI NG KEN LIN and CHAN TAK KONG/The Star
SOME hawkers in People’s Park, Damansara Damai, Petaling Jaya, want the current three-session trading system to be reduced to two to ensure they get equal number of operating hours.
Currently, traders take turns to operate from 6am to 10am, 11am to 5pm and 6pm to midnight at the place, also known as Hentian Damai.
Trader Hairin Mohd Anis, who sells banana fritters, proposed that Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) start the first session from 6am to 2pm and the second from 2pm to later at night.
“Most people come in after 5pm. Those who operate between 11am and 5pm are forced to close early to make way for hawkers trading between 6pm and midnight,” Hairin said.
Hairin wants MBPJ to implement a two-session system instead of three.
He also urged MBPJ to promote the park to attract more visitors.
It was reported that the construction of hawker stalls in the park was completed at the end of June.
Unlicensed hawkers from Jalan PJU10/1 were relocated to the park and issued temporary permits.
A hawker, who declined to be named, expressed dissatisfaction with the relocation, stating that business had declined compared to their previous roadside operations, adding that fewer people visited the park.
He also criticised the current system as being unfair to morning hawkers due to the longer evening session.
“MBPJ should consider assigning permanent spots to each trader to ensure smooth operations,” he added.
The hawker added that the current system was hectic, as stalls needed to close quickly to make way for traders in the next session.
Nur Hisyam Hamzah, a beverage seller, claimed some hawkers are occupying spots without actively trading.
The issue was raised during MBPJ’s Mesra Rakyat community programme at the Damansara Damai Community Hall.
Pua says the relocation provides hawkers a safer and more suitable environment.
Bukit Lanjan assemblyman Pua Pei Ling, who was present at the event, defended the relocation, stating that it provided a safer and more suitable environment for hawkers.
“They previously operated near a Damansara Damai petrol station, which was dangerous,” she said.
Pua added that all 40 lots in the park were occupied and that MBPJ would consider the hawkers’ suggestions to reduce the number of sessions.
She said the sharing of facilities and three-session system was a pilot project by MBPJ.
