CORONAVIRUS | Petaling Jaya residents from the Persatuan Penduduk Petaling Jaya (MYPJ) have expressed their shock and dismay at conditions in the Jalan Othman Market, calling them deplorable and questioning its readiness for reopening after the Covid-19 lockdown under the enhanced movement control order (MCO).
This was after a team of ten professionals and experts went on a private inspection of the Jalan Othman market area in Petaling Jaya Old Town, which had been under lockdown since May 10 and is scheduled to reopen today.
"The team was shocked at the deplorable condition of the market despite the intensive cleaning effort by the city council and tenants.
"The severely dilapidated infrastructure itself prevents effective cleaning or disinfecting operations as broken tiles and flooring covers over 80 percent of the wall and floor surface," they said in a statement this morning.
"The numerous holes and cracks will play host to dangerous bacteria and are compounded by a large rodent population. Hand washing sinks and washing facilities were sparse and not strategically placed," they added, saying that some spaces in between stalls were so narrow that the social distancing markings on the floor were meaningless.
The panel also claimed that it conducted informal conversations with many traders indicating that many do not yet understand the legal, technical and public health requirements for reopening.
The MYPJ Panel of experts is headed by engineer Esham Salam and also included Dr Vincent Ng former Deputy Director-General of the Department of Veterinary Services, physician and public health expert Dr Khor Swee Kheng, Dr Joe Walter, Eric Chew of the Malaysia Crime Prevention Foundation, Dr Teh Yik Koon of the National Defence University and several other experienced professionals.
"In physical terms, the cleanliness is not assured, and major renovations are still ongoing in major common areas This is our conclusion after the site inspection by MYPJ panel of experts on the morning of June 5, 2020.
"Overall, this iconic and oldest market in Petaling Jaya had been neglected for decades, and the current hygiene condition, especially in a Covid-19 context, is unacceptable," they added.
They expressed their fears that with the influx of customers coming back to the market, there is a real threat that the market may experience another lockdown.
"Therefore, MyPJ strongly encourages all citizens of Petaling Jaya to avoid patronising the Jalan Othman Market for the foreseeable future and for their own safety," they said.
Understanding that the traders need a source of income and citizens need a source of fresh and nutritious food, the MYPJ recommended the following:
1. To keep the Jalan Othman Market closed until renovations have been completed to public health specifications detailed by the MBPJ Health Department.
2. MBPJ to provide alternative temporary sites for traders in the nearby vicinity of the Jalan Othman Market. Scholars from Universiti Malaya have identified several sites that can house temporary prefabricated structures to allow traders to continue operations.
3. A waiver of rental fees for traders until further notice.
4. Citizens to use public pressure to demand MBPJ balance between health, economic and food supply concerns.
The group called on councillors and elected state representatives in Petaling Jaya to work closely with the stakeholders and NGOs to ensure the safety of the market traders and customers.
"For many years, MYPJ has advocated for an upgrading exercise for the Jalan Othman Market. The Covid19 pandemic is now providing a life-threatening reason for this exercise to take place immediately," it said.
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