KUALA LUMPUR: Traders affected by the early morning fire that destroyed 30 stalls at the festive bazaar in Jalan Masjid India today have been offered a temporary place in Lorong Tuanku Abdul Rahman 3 or 5 (Jalan TAR 3/Jalan TAR 5).
Mayor Datuk Nor Hisham Ahmad Dahlan who visited the location this morning said the decision would rest with affected traders.
He added that they had been advised to discuss with their association before agreeing with the suggestion.
“If they do not agree, they can always offer us their own suggestion for Kuala Lumpur City Council (DBKL) to consider,” he said, adding that only locals would be considered for the relocation.
Nor Hisham said unaffected traders would not be allowed to use the premises in Jalan Masjid India for business until an investigation by the Fire and Rescue Department and renovation work by DBKL had been completed.
In the fire, stalls selling garments, bags and shoes were razed.
Kuala Lumpur Fire and Rescue Department senior operations commander L. Logeswaran said an emergency call was received at 1.35am and teams from the Sentul, Hang Tuah, Titiwangsa and Pudu fire stations arrived at the location 10 minutes later.
“We put out the fire at 2.04am,” he added.
Meanwhile, Ramadan bazaar traders in Jalan Raja expressed their dissatisfaction with Nor Hisham’s suggestion.
Perfume seller Rahmat Norazmi, 28, said the suggestion had breached the agreement that they made when they relocated the traders from Jalan TAR to Jalan Raja.
“They had promised us that no businesses would be allowed in Jalan TAR. “Now, they are going back on their own word, and this is really unfair to us.
“I understand that their sole intention is to help traders affected by the fire, but they can always do that by relocating them in Jalan Raja,” said Rahmat.
He also said that even if the traders from Jalan Masjid India were only relocated in Jalan TAR temporarily, “Rambo traders” (illegal traders) would use the opportunity to open stalls there as well.
“How would DBKL ensure no Rambo traders are present in Jalan TAR, and take advantage of this situation?” he said.
Cookies and snacks seller Nur Safidatul Ain Mat Nasir, 30, shared Rahmat’s sentiments.
She said DBKL should keep its promise of not allowing any businesses in Jalan TAR.
“Even if there is a need to relocate, why does it have to be Jalan TAR?
“Why not place them together with us in Jalan Raja?
“Although only 30 traders are affected by the fire, but placing them at the once popular street among festive shoppers, would definitely bring more crowds. This is unfair to us,” said Nur Safidatul.