PASAR Seni (Central Market) in Kuala Lumpur is widely marketed on tourist brochures. But today, it is seni in name only.
When this wet market with its long history was renovated in the 1980s to house handmade arts and crafts and showcase skills, the public welcomed it decades ago.
Many people took up booths or workspace to demonstrate their skills, offering their items for sale.
In fact, it gave one great pride to take foreign friends to Pasar Seni to experience Malaysian works of beauty.
Today, what you get there is the same you can buy at a mall or even at Petaling Street.
Today, Pasar Seni peddles clothing from China, items from Indonesia and factory-made goods. These mass-produced goods fail to give Pasar Seni its rightful place.
Many young talent cannot afford the rental as they have to compete with commercial retailers for space.
The management should reserve affordable space for the young and retirees to showcase their arts and crafts.
Let Malaysians showcase their glass paintings, their handrawn batik apparels, paintings and wood work.
Let Pasar Seni be a melting pot where Malaysians can put their skills to work and earn money.
Pasar Seni must be a much-talked about destination for locals to show off their talent, a place for tourists, including Malaysians, to appreciate and buy handmade local wares.
It could even double up as a place for people to learn hobbies.
There are enough commercial outlets in Kuala Lumpur that sell mass-produced local and imported wares.
Do not let Pasar Seni lose its character and ambience.
The authorities must make it easy and attractive for the young and retirees to come here and show off their skills.
J. D. LOVRENCIEAR
Kuala Lumpur