PUTRAJAYA: The controversial Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman in Kuala Lumpur will be reopened to the public for two months beginning this Saturday.
This, according to Federal Territories Minister Abdul Khalid Samad, was in conjunction with the Ramadan and upcoming Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebrations.
He said the decision was made following discussions with Batu Road Retailers Association (BARA) and Masjid India Business Association (MIBA).
"They have expressed that sales will only increase if Jalan TAR is reopened to the public to cater to the Ramadan and Hari Raya crowd throughout the month May and July.
"Therefore, we have decided that the road will reopened to the public starting this Saturday," he told reporters here after the ministry's monthly assembly and buka puasa event.
He said the move would also provide the opportunity for the ministry to work on resolving issues related to the relocation businessed along Lorong Tuanku Abdul Rahman and Lorong Gombak, including providing alternative stretch when Jalan TAR is closed.
"This move also provides solutions to the grouses of traders to increase their sales," he added.
Previously, Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) had closed down Jalan TAR, starting from Jalan Esfahan near the SOGO mall to Jalan Melayu, to all private vehicles except for public and tourist buses, from March 15.
DBKL has also relocated the Ramadan bazaar traders to Jalan Raja, near Dataran Merdeka
On the lack of people visiting the new Ramadan Baazar site at Jalan Raja, Khalid said he expect businesses to pick up on the second half of the month, near Hari Raya.
On a separate issue, he said the Cabinet has agreed that the 26.7 hectares (66 acres) of land worth RM1.87 billion will be placed under Amanah Warisan Negara (AWAN), a trust under the ministry, DBKL and Khazanah Nasional Berhad.
"This would mean that this piece of land can't be sold, mortgaged and developed.
"Taman Tugu will also be managed and protected as a public green area under AWAN.
Separately, Khalid said his ministry would look into the problems faced by 14 families from Bukit Jalil Estate who recently received eviction notices.
"Other families have moved to other places including People’s Housing Project (PPR) which was offered to them.
"However, these 41 families have been asking for a landed terrace houses, which are quite impossible given the land price in the city, but we hope to work something out for them." he added.