KUALA LUMPUR: City Hall is fully prepared to clamp down on illegal stalls in Lorong Tuanku Abdul Rahman (TAR), said Kuala Lumpur Mayor Datuk Nor Hisham Ahmad Dahlan.
He said the rule of law would be applied and City Hall would deploy enforcement officers on three shifts around Jalan TAR.
A total of 174 enforcement personnel would be stationed in Masjid India and 105 of them would be in Jalan Raja.
He said there were many foodstalls and food courts in Jalan TAR and Jalan Masjid India.
“Unlike what the associations are saying in the press, stalls selling wet and dry food, as well as dishes at Wisma Yakin, Chow Kit and Kampung Baru are still there.
“Plus, there are also night markets on Saturdays.
“No one is dismantling licensed traders.
“Action will, however, be taken against new unregistered ones that are coming in.”
He denied traders associations’ claims that there was a dearth of such food in the area.
This follows the authority making the unprecedented move to bar the sale of open and wet food at the Jalan Raja bazaar.
Traders associations reportedly said they were not allowed to sell such food in Jalan Raja and that they would be losing business as the focus of shoppers was a good distance away.
Nor Hisham said he told sponsors and traders associations to give and take for Kuala Lumpur’s future.
He said City Hall would meet traders associations and stakeholders in Jalan TAR to discuss issues related to the bazaar’s relocation, Jalan TAR closure as well as the online registration system for Ramadan bazaars in the city.
“We are aiming for a better KL in the future, but a lot of engagement needs to be done.
“For starters, we will listen to their input on the new system so that we can improve the system in April next year.”
Nor Hisham said the Immigration and Women, Family and Community Departments, as well as police, would be stationed in the area.
“Police have offered to direct traffic and ensure there is no road closure.”
He said tourists and pedestrians could walk along the stretch, but the hot weather could make them feel uncomfortable.