Temporary structures have been put up over parking bays in Kepong Baru in preparation for a Chinese New Year bazaar. — ONG SOON HIN/The Star
KUALA Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) has been urged to implement for Chinese New Year the bazaar system it uses during other festivals.
Community activist Yee Poh Ping said DBKL should identify areas suitable for Lunar New Year bazaars ahead of time instead of its current seemingly haphazard approach of deciding on the location and number of lots upon receiving applications.
“We want DBKL to identify bazaar sites for Chinese New Year months ahead,” he said, referring to the ad hoc approval of applications for Chinese New Year stalls presently.
Yee: DBKL must identify suitable sites for Chinese New Year bazaars ahead of time.Yee also asked DBKL to take into consideration an area and its surroundings when approving lots, to avoid burdening stakeholders in the vicinity.
“Allow one lot for each applicant and not more,” he said in a press conference to address the issue of parking bays being taken up for festive bazaars that resulting in scarce parking space in Kepong Baru, Kuala Lumpur.
He said the Laman Rimbunan commercial area had been facing traffic problems for 20 years during Chinese New Year as parking bays were used to accommodate bazaar traders.
“One trader cannot be hogging 10 parking bays.
“Every year, about 20 parking bays at Laman Rimbunan are taken up for the festive bazaar.
“This year, tents have been set up at 20 more bays, bringing the total to 40.
“Even parking bays in front of a bank have been taken up. This should not be happening.
“DBKL must identify suitable sites for the Chinese New Year bazaar.
“Parking bays in commercial areas are not suitable for a festive bazaar, as congestion will worsen,” he said, pointing out that the Laman Rimbunan business area is a busy place.
“It is difficult to find a parking spot on normal days, it is worse when bays are taken up for the Chinese New Year bazaar,” he added.
Yee said DBKL should consider sites in Jalan Kepong, Jalan Mergastua in Kepong Baru, Jalan Kepong Baru, Jalan Metro Perdana, Jalan Jinjang Utama and Metro Perdana, which were more suitable to set up Chinese New Year bazaars.
