KUALA LUMPUR - Businessmen, especially food operators and restauranteurs, in the heart of the city will keep their business open for the Merdeka weekend despite reports of the #Bersih4 gathering going ahead as planned.
Some of these restaurants have been part of the Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman façade for more than 50 years, and their owners are adamant against bringing down their shutters this weekend.
“I have been open every weekend, closed on Mondays,” said restaurateur Jack Lee Kwong Hong co-owner of the popular 76-year-old kopi tiam Jacks@Yut Kee, located opposite the Wilayah Kompleks off Jalan Dang Wangi.
When asked about the rumoured decrease of city folk and customers, Lee simply said: “I am proud to say I have a steady flow of clientele who frequent the establishment for the dishes, good company and cakes, and weekends see the highest turnout.”
“I don’t expect any difference this weekend as many would commute using the trains which stations are located nearby.”
In fact, the 70-ish avid rugger candidly said if there was a big turnout for the #Bersih4 gathering, then he could expect a larger throng of customers than usual as many of them would be hungry and thirsty.
Jacks@Yut Kee has been located on Jalan Dang Wangi for more than 85 years and Lee recollects previous Bersih rallys, reformasi gatherings and even the 1969 social unrest.
“I’ve been through it all, we’ve remained open for business and will remain so unless ordered otherwise.
“These rallies, the protesters come and go… I have and shall remain steadfast.”
Expressing his displeasure with public disorder, Lee felt if there was something to protest, it should be done in a proper manner.
“Don’t let your actions result in others’ livelihood being affected as what happened recently when Sogo shopping complex had to be shut down.”
“From my experience, at the height of reformasi the entire Jalan Tuanku Abdul was locked down.
“Almost all the businesses, lining both sides of Batu Road closed their doors barely two hours after they commenced business as protestors turned unruly, with the exception of the famed steakhouse Coliseum Café.”
Meanwhile Coliseum Café spokesperson Vivien Lee said they were aware of reports of the gathering going ahead.
“We are still going to be opened on the Merdeka weekend, as we are yet to be advised otherwise.”
Like the Yut Kee kopi tiam at Jalan Dang Wangi, the Coliseum Café has been in its present Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman location for the past 84 years. In recent years, it opened similar steak house restaurants in Petaling Jaya and Mid Valley mega mall.
At the height of reformasi, the Coliseum Café was the venue where media personnel and others including police officers gathered for a breather and a refreshing drink.
“We expect the regulars to drop by for their weekend lunch.”
Echoing similar sentiments, Bob Singh owner of Jai Hind chapatti house in Jalan Melayu, also assured he would remain open during pre-Merdeka weekend to cater to customers.
“We have been at this same spot serving chappatis’, Punjabi sweets since 1924 and its weekends that we have our strong steady flow.”
“As long as they don’t disrupt businesses, we shall carry on with ours.”
The famed house of chappati captured media attention more than a decade ago when at the heigh of reformasi gatherings, pro anwar supporters staged a standoff outside Jai Hind restaurant.
Some of the unruly protestors went about setting rubbish bins ablaze.
They actions didn’t go unnoticed and when they were about to do likewise outside the Sikh restaurant, this brought out several white attired blue turbaned Sikhs with their traditional swords drawn.
This sight shocked the protestors and on seeing this standoff, Federal Reserve Unit crowd control intervened and sent the protestors scurrying for cover.
The scene of some 10 Sikh men standing guard outside the restaurant was the eye for photographers assigned to cover the reformasi gathering then in the late 90s. - Therakyatpost
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