KUALA LUMPUR: A significant number of businesses near the site of the sinkhole on Jalan Masjid India are experiencing a downturn after authorities closed off most of the area.
This was particularly evident at Wisma Yakin, a commercial hub just 10 metres from the sinkhole, and the shops beneath the Malayan Mansion Flats, which are located directly across from the incident site.
Since early this morning, police have cordoned off the area to both vehicular and pedestrian traffic around Jalan Masjid India, in front of the police post at the Selangor Mansion Flats, to limit movement near the sinkhole.
However, a contrasting scene was observed at the back of the Malayan Mansion Flats, where business activities continued as usual.
People were still seen shopping at the nearby commercial centre on the back streets of Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman.
A survey by BH at Wisma Yakin, a business centre established in the 1970s, revealed a significantly quieter atmosphere.
Asmawati, a 52-year-old clothing vendor, said that foot traffic to her shop, located just 15 metres from the sinkhole, had dropped by 90 per cent compared to midday yesterday, despite the sinkhole incident.
"Yesterday, we were still open for business despite the sinkhole, but today it's very quiet because the roads are closed. You can see that no one is passing by our shop, perhaps because they're worried.
"This isn't the first time a sinkhole has occurred; there was a land subsidence last year, but no fatalities like yesterday," she said.
"We'll continue to operate until we receive orders from the authorities to close for safety reasons. If we're instructed to shut down, we have no choice, but this is our daily source of income," she added.
Rizal Jasni, a 64-year-old songkok vendor who has been in business at Wisma Yakin since 1980, said yesterday's incident serves as a reminder for people to be more cautious.
He said that the rapid development around Masjid India and Jalan Tun Perak might have contributed to such natural disasters.
"Incidents like this have a huge impact on traders, especially at Wisma Yakin, more so after the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.
"I just hope that the authorities can address these issues to prevent similar incidents in the future. Perhaps regular monitoring by the relevant agencies could ensure the safety of the public, especially in the Masjid India area," he said.
As of 3.30pm, the area around the sinkhole remained closed to the public. Only security forces from the Royal Malaysia Police, the Fire and Rescue Department of Malaysia, the Malaysian Civil Defence Force, and media personnel were allowed in the vicinity.