KUALA LUMPUR - The atmosphere in Petaling Street today was lively and filled with excitement of locals and tourists who were either bargaining for goods or savouring local delicacies.
But whether or not this would be the case tomorrow is hard to determine as mixed sentiment were expressed by traders today ahead of the supposed riots slated to take place in Petaling Street tomorrow.
For Low Yoke Chan, who owns a noodle stall and has been running it for 50 years now, the decision is to shut operations tomorrow.
“It is for security reasons. Moreover, the roads around here will be closed as well, so there’s no point opening because we are selling food.
“There won’t be many who would come,” she shared.
A fabric and tailoring shop has decided to do the same, fearing the unknown tomorrow.
“We don’t know what will happen, no one knows what will happen. Plus the roads will be closed as well.
“So we have decided to take the day off,” said the manager of the business who declined to be named.
Another who has decided to remain shut tomorrow is the owner of a mobile devices accessory kiosk who only wants to be known as Simon.
Also fearing over safety issues, Simon, who has been in business there for five years now, said anything could happen.
“What they (protesters) are doing is wrong, a lot of people are scared, including tourists. I believe what the authorities have said that there will be security tomorrow, but sometimes things can get out of control.
“Some things cannot be expected and we are concerned for our safety,” he shared.
Simon was referring to the Kuala Lumpur Hawkers and Petty Traders association that was in talks with some business owners this evening about the situation tomorrow.
However, there were also those who are adamant about operating their business as usual, with some awaiting a decision from the association.
One Vincent, who manages a kiosk selling electronic items, said it would be business as usual tomorrow.
“We will open. We are not scared because many shops will be opening. There will be some shops which will be closed, but since our boss said to open the shop, we will open it,” he shared.
Similar sentiments were expressed by a stall manager selling T-shirts. He was confident there would be “police security, so we will open”.
A leather goods shop owner, who also declined to be named, said Petaling Street was a non-issue, pointing out that the threat of attacks by militant group Islamic State (IS) in Bukit Bintang was far worse.
“There’s nothing here so we will open. The threat in Jalan Alor is worse so that should be checked,” he said.
Those undecided about their business operations tomorrow included a shop selling traditional Chinese pastries that has been operating for nearly hundred years there.
The shop manager, who only wanted to be known as Jennifer, said the owner was waiting for a decision by the association.
“We are still not sure and waiting for the final decision. Closing would definitely affect the business, especially since it is a weekend, but what can we do?” she shared.
Equally undecided was Oh Wei Xiang, who manages his sister’s shop selling T-shirts and mobile accessories.
“We’ve been here for two years now. The association has suggested not to open, but we will see.
“We usually only open by noon, so we will see the situation tomorrow,” he said.
Meanwhile, Kuala Lumpur Hawkers and Petty Traders Association Datuk Ang Say Tee told The Rakyat Post, that he is expecting the Home Ministry to arrest Sungai Besar Umno division chief Datuk Jamal Md Yunos so as to give traders the confidence to open their stalls tomorrow.
“If he is arrested by 12 midnight,we will be running our business as usual tomorrow. If not, we will feel worried.”
Despite that, Ang remains upbeat and has expressed confidence in the police to do their jobs tomorrow.
“99% of Malaysians are united. Jamal has no right to represent the Malays, and he is only bringing shame upon them,” he said, adding that Home Ministry officials had informed him that there would be no more than 50 persons participating in the rally. - http://www.therakyatpost.com/
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