KUALA LUMPUR: Titiwangsa member of parliament Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani said efforts are underway to complete the upgrade of Pasar Jalan Raja Bot, also known as Pasar Chow Kit, which has been in limbo for a decade.
Johari said he was informed by the contractor that gradual relocation of the traders is being finalised.
However, he highlighted two issues that have surfaced, requiring the intervention of Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) to resolve the issue.
"There is a likelihood of a prolonged water problem for the market due to insufficient water pressure in the Jalan Raja Alang area, affecting the water supply to the upcoming Pasar Baru Raja Bot.
"The contractor, however, has taken the initiative to provide water to address the issue," he said.
Johari, who is also Plantation and Commodities Minister, said there were also challenges with the sewerage system, where the current outflow level is higher than the inflow, necessitating the use of a pump to facilitate the outflow.
He said the project has been ongoing for 10 years, with DBKL having changed contractors five times.
He also stressed that this stalled project has badly affected the incomes of the traders.
"If we can resolve these issues, it will be more convenient for people to visit the market compared to the temporary location," he said.
He hoped that the upgrade for the project could be successfully completed in the near future.
Previously, DBKL said the first phase comprised an open-air building concept with a high roof, while the second phase would comprise a market complex housing a wet market, sundry shops, and a food court.
DBKL had said that the complex was 95 per cent complete with construction work to complete this year.
The third phase will involve the construction of a similar building, which will be built near phase two.
Phase four, it said, would consist of a multi-storey carpark and market selling local vegetables.
DBKL said the building was expected to be completed by July 2025, which would feature 560 stalls as well as a police station.