Ihklas: Central Market management bullying traders

Ikhlas, the NGO representing small- and medium-scale entrepreneurs, has demanded the replacement of the management company operating the historic Central Market building in Kuala Lumpur.

Claiming that the Kha Seng Group is “bullying” traders, Ikhlas president Mohd Ridzuan Abdullah (right in photo) cited the levying of a surcharge if traders are late with rental payments.

“The management is (behaving) like an Ah Long (loan shark). If (the traders) pay rental late, they have to pay a 12 percent surcharge,” he told a press conference at the Central Market today.

Ridzuan said a protest will be held in the next two weeks, after which the trader’s complaints will be taken to Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak.   

Former handicraft trader Mohammad Zainahar Yuzkhairi told reporters that the management company had ordered him to leave the premises without providing reasons.

“On Oct 2, a few lawyers and management representatives served a legal letter on me while I was working. They told me to leave immediately,” he said.

A tenant since 1991, a teary-eyed Zainahar (right) said he has no clue how he will take care of his wife and three children without a regular source of income.

He claimed that the rental for his lot had been increased sharply from RM1,000 a month to RM2,500 compared to what other tenants pay.

UDA Holding Bhd owns the building - originally a wholesale market that has since been conserved as a heritage building and is now a popular tourist destination.

In response, Kha Seng Group manager Cheong Wai Mun said shopping complexes normally levied a surcharge of between 12 to 18 percent on late payment.

“The rental at Central Market is reasonable, standard and based on the current market price. The historic building also needs to have upgrades and maintenance,” he added in a press statement.

“The tenants had already agreed on (the surcharge) upon taking up the place.”

Chong added that the tenants who are late in payments will be served with reminders.