Three illegal stall owners cry foul after structures were demolished

BATU FERINGGHI: The owner of three illegal stalls demolished by the District Land Office in Teluk Bahang have cried foul over the short notice given before the structures were torn down.

Balik Pulau Umno deputy youth chief Afzai Nizam Abdullah, who owns the stalls, said the two eatery operators and a car wash service provider who operated the stalls were not given sufficient time to clear them, and they have now lost their source of income.

"They've been operating for eight years without causing any traffic obstruction.

"The operators are housewives and youth villagers here, they are just working for an extra income," he said, adding that some of the profits were donated to a surau behind the village.
Afzai said the operators received a two-week eviction notice in January, and despite asking Telok Bahang assemblyman Zolkifly Md Lazim to help, enforcement teams from the council came on Monday (Feb 11) and tore down the stalls.
"They arrived in an excavator and trucks and ordered the operators to clear their belongings.

"After that, everything was torn down," Afzai told reporters after a demonstration at the site opposite Asiania Court flats Tuesday (Feb 12).

About 30 villagers were present, some holding placards calling for justice and calling the government cruel.

None of the three stall operators were at the scene.

When contacted, Zolkifly said he would issue a statement on Tuesday (Feb 12) to address the matter.- Star