No problem with Chinese workers at TRX site, say residents

KUALA LUMPUR: Contrary to a Malay daily’s report recently accusing migrant workers from China of unruly behaviour, residents and business operators near the Tun Razak Exchange (TRX) development in Kuala Lumpur’s Golden Triangle say they face no such issues.

Many who spoke to FMT said while the workers could be “noisy”, they did not create trouble for locals, although some could be seen indulging in gambling or liquor-drinking after their working hours.

“Even when they are buying their groceries, you can hear them from afar,” said a goldsmith at Plaza Pudu, who said other than that, the workers were not disruptive.

This followed a Harian Metro report on Monday that said some Chinese migrant workers urinated on the streets, got drunk and were noisy.

The report added that the Chinese workers, who were believed to be working at several construction sites in the city, had brought along their culture of gambling, disturbing the public and damaging public property.

Another local who did not wish to be named told FMT he had heard of Chinese workers gambling after work. He added however that they did not disturb the locals or the businesses in the area.

“Maybe they gamble to pass time after work,” he said.

A worker at a roadside stall meanwhile said the Chinese labourers sometimes tried out Indian food.

“They will come at night to eat.”

He, too, said the Chinese workers were often noisy.

“But they eat, pay and go. There are no problems with them,” he added.

A security guard told FMT that he sometimes saw the labourers walking past his station.

When they passed by him, he said, they would put up their hands to acknowledge him. “No problems,” he added.

Bukit Bintang MP Fong Kui Lun said he had not received any complaints from locals in the area.

“Maybe they (Chinese workers) gamble after work. But I have not received any complaints from the hawkers and residents,” he said when contacted.

On Nov 11, a police patrol team was forced to fire warning shots after being attacked by dozens of men from China at Jalan Abraham off Jalan Khoo Teik Ee here.

The patrol team had stumbled upon the men gambling at the porch of a house at 10.30pm. No one was injured in the incident.

Dang Wangi police chief Assistant Commissioner Shaharuddin Abdullah said the police team arrested 50 men from China at the scene and brought them to the Dang Wangi police headquarters for further action.

They are being investigated under Section 353 of the Penal Code for using criminal force to deter a public servant from discharging his duty, and Section 6 of the Common Gambling Houses Act 1953. -FMT