The Star 13-07-05
By YIP YOKE TENG
Photos by LOW LAY PHON
Morning market traders in Bandar Sungai Long are finally happy with the market’s new location.
The market is still on Jalan Persiaran Sungai Long, but it has been moved about 50m forward, making it nearer to the neighbourhood’s main commercial area and further away from a sewage treatment plant where pork sellers used to be located.
The slight shift was a relief for both the Bandar Sungai Long Hawkers Association and the Kajang Municipal Council (MPKj).
The council had been faced with disputes and discussions on the relocation since May 16 when the sixyear-old morning market was moved from Jalan SL1/1 to Jalan Persiaran Sungai Long because it caused traffic and hygiene problems.
“I couldn’t even open my stall at the previous site. I sell roast pork and the lot they gave me was right next to a sewage treatment plant. The location put off people from coming to my stall,” said trader Law Khin Koon, 41.
Some traders at Bandar Sungai Long morning market lament that the place is too exposed to the sun and shoppers will shy away from the market by 10am. Law is all smiles now. Pork sellers are now located near a T-junction, just a few metres away from where they used to operate for at least six year. His business has resumed and his regular customers have returned to buy his roast pork.
“I think it would be even better if this road is turned into a one-way street. Cars are always inching their way between the stalls and this is dangerous for market goers,” he said.
But still, Law is looking forward to having a permanent indoor market in the housing estate as he feels a lurking sense of insecurity.
“Who knows, the market may be moved again in one or two years,” he said.
Fish trader K.K. Chong, 52, expressed his gratitude to the association, MPKj and Dusun Tua assemblyman Rahmad Musa for settling the issue.
“The market is adjacent to an open car park, it’s very convenient for shoppers to drop by,” he said, adding that he hoped the road could be made one-way, or free from traffic, because the many cars, buses and lorries passing through would pose a danger to shoppers and traders.
However, the new market site does not please everyone. An apparel peddler, who wanted to be known only as Ng, complained that the market was too exposed to the sun and shoppers would leave the market by about 10am.
“My business has plunged about 70%,” lamented Ng. “I need to wake up at 6am and be here by 7am to catch as many customers as I can in these few hours. Back there at Jalan SL1/1, I could still get business at noon because that place was well shaded by trees and shops,” she said.
The market is arranged so that traders who operate every day are allocated lots near the main commercial area. Those doing business on selected days of the week are placed further away, in front of a group of high-rise residential units so that disturbance to residents is minimised.
Shoppers are happy with the new site, too.
Phang, a secretary in her early 30s, said she liked the new location because there were ample parking space and the stalls were systematically arranged.
Liew Teng Yeng, 80, said she enjoyed having her morning stroll at the market while browsing the things on sale. “This market is not as far as it used to be,” she said.
Earlier, MPKj issued a press statement pledging to monitor activities at the market to ensure traders comply with regulations.
“We want to provide a conducive and comfortable environment for the people to do their daily shopping,” said deputy president Jamri Basni.
