The music and arts event and other activities will ensure Brickfields remains lively throughout the festive season, says DBKL. — AZMAN GHANI/The Star
KUALA Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) says the Deepavali bazaar and overlapping Music and Arts Fiesta are taking place at different sites along Jalan Tun Sambanthan in Brickfields.
DBKL executive director (Socio-economic Development) Ismadi Sakirin clarified that there was no site overlap between the bazaar and the fiesta.
“The two events, both scheduled this month, will be held at different locations along Jalan Tun Sambanthan,” he said.
He was responding to concerns raised by traders about the reduction in number of trading lots from 26 to 20, which was perceived as being done to accommodate the fiesta.
Persatuan Prihatin Peniaga Kecil Little India, representing the traders, had claimed at a press conference that DBKL’s decision to reduce the number of trading lots was unfair.
Ismadi said DBKL had received an application from a non-governmental organisation (NGO) to organise the Music and Arts Fiesta, which includes stage performances by Malaysian artistes, from Oct 28 to 30.
“The concert will take place along Jalan Tun Sambanthan in front of Sentral Suites.”
He said the Deepavali bazaar will operate in four designated locations until Oct 30.
The areas comprise the pedestrian walkway in front of Kompleks Tun Sambanthan (10 lots), Jalan Travers/Jalan Rakyat (25 lots) and Jalan Tun Sambanthan (20 lots).
In the Masjid India area, there are 32 available lots.
“The number of Deepavali bazaar stalls has been allocated fairly to ensure there is adequate space for vendors, while maintaining public safety and smooth traffic flow,” Ismadi elaborated.
He said DBKL was processing an application from another NGO for an event to be held at the same location as the fiesta, on different dates.
These activities, he added, would ensure that Brickfields remained lively throughout the festive season.
During the press conference, Persatuan Prihatin Peniaga Kecil Little India assistant secretary Gunaseelan M. Subramaniam had urged the fiesta organisers to consider staging the show at an alternative location.
“We are not against the event, but please don’t disrupt our business,” he said.
“Hold it at another location so it doesn’t affect our stalls.
“Last year, the road (designated for stalls) was too narrow and that turned customers away,” he added.
This year, DBKL has significantly reduced the number of Deepavali bazaar lots across the city by 51%.
Only 87 lots are available, compared to 179 last year.
