KUALA LUMPUR: Hawkers and traders in Taman Muda will lodge a report with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) over the construction of an entertainment complex on a plot of land they say has been earmarked for a wet market since 2012.
Backed by Jaringan Melayu Malaysia (JMM), Taman Muda Selangor Hawkers and Traders Association (PPPKTMS) has called on MACC to investigate the construction of the family entertainment complex.
JMM president Datuk Azwanddin Hamzah on Sunday produced documents showing that the land had been earmarked for a wet market.
The wet market, he said, was meant for small traders who had been trading by the roadside in the area since 1984.
“The traders are not at fault as they had been promised a market to run their business.
“Now, not only has that promise been broken, they are continuously pressured by MPAJ (Ampang Jaya Municipal Council) over cleanliness and obstruction of traffic in the areas where they carry out their business.”
Azwanddin said JMM would file a complaint, backed by evidence, to MACC on Friday. It would provide legal assistance to the hawkers and traders.
Accompanied by PPPKTMS president Chow Chee Keen and his members, Azwanddin produced documents that contradicted MPAJ public relations officer Norhayati Ahmad’s statement on Oct 12, in which she said the land was never gazetted for a wet market and that the plot was privately owned.
Chow said he had been called names when he brought the matter to the DAP service centre in Cheras here.
This came after Pandan MCA chief Datuk Leong Kok Wee visited the site and highlighted the issues faced by traders in the New Straits Times’ Actionline on Oct 13.
“After the traders held a picket here, (Teratai assemblyman) Tiew (Way Keng) filed a RM1 million suit against me because of words that were displayed on the banners during the picket.
“I am just a chicken trader. How am I to find the money to pay for this? They are just using all means to pressure us to comply,” said Chow.
Azwanddin assured Chow that JMM would provide legal assistance to fight his case.
Tiew, when contacted, produced his own documents that showed that the land has been under private ownership since 1980, before the traders set up base in the area.
“The land has been privately owned since 1980 and the express condition of the land is for a commercial building,” said Tiew.