KUALA LUMPUR: Roadside hawkers and stall owners operating under the Free-Trade Zone (WBB) programme introduced by City Hall during the Covid-19 pandemic are reluctant to move to hawker centres.
They preferred to remain at their current locations as most of them felt that the relocation plan, which was mooted by City Hall yesterday, would be "unfair" to traders who had been complying with regulations.
Speaking to the New Straits Times yesterday, Chelliah's Chicken Biryani owner, Desmond Waran said he had no problems about moving to a hawker centre although it might temporarily slow down his business.
But he also suggested for City Hall to tighten its enforcement rounds against errant traders, instead of moving all of their businesses to a hawker centre.
"It will be unfair to 'punish' everyone due to someone else's fault.
"For instance, if a stall is found to be dirty and unkempt, or causing traffic congestion, then the authorities should go after them instead of punishing the whole lot.
"My briyani stall is located opposite my mother's house. We advise customers to park at her place to prevent road congestion," said the 34-year-old former digital marketing executive.
Yesterday, City Hall said it intended to relocate traders either to hawker centres or markets.
It said this was to ensure businesses under the initiative did not cause disturbances to pedestrians and the flow of traffic.
It said enforcement was being taken against those who caused obstructions or threw rubbish in public spaces.
"I am okay to move, provided the new place has ample parking and is convenient for customers to stop over.
"I had tried to apply for a stall at this newly renovated hawker stretch in Lucky Garden, Bangsar, but it did not go through despite seeing vacant stalls there," Desmond said.
Vijay Kumaran, a coconut stall owner in Lucky Garden here, also shared Desmond's view, saying a relocation may put him out of business.
"I was out of work during the pandemic and when the then government introduced the free-trade zone, it was a life-saver.
"I believe that people would agree that this programme has benefited many families, but now we are worried about City Hall's plans to relocate our businesses. We have built a good customer base operating from the stall here.
"We have also complied with all the regulations. Why do we need to move?
"I would understand if we were asked to move because we didn't follow the rules or caused problems to those living here, but that's not the case," said the 39 year old.
Vijay, who sells coconuts and sugarcane beverages, said his customers were mostly pedestrians.
"To my knowledge I haven't heard anyone, including the authorities, complaining about the cleanliness or causing traffic congestion.
"Usually, if customers arrive in their cars, I would take their orders and tell them to make a turn at the roundabout.
"By that time, I would have their order packed and ready.
"I have also been paying a cleaner for RM300 a month to throw away the coconut shells and husks. The place is always clean," he said.
Keropok lekor stall owner Azmi Abu Hassan, 40, who set up his stall in Jalan Bangsar Utama, said he did not want to move his business elsewhere.
"This place is strategic and convenient for us to maintain since we just live two blocks away.
"If City Hall wants us to move to a hawker centre, we may lose our customers. If we have to move elsewhere, then we would have to start from scratch again," he said.