Long-time hawkers at the OUG morning market are unhappy with Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) over what they claim are changes to licence renewal requirements.
The hawkers are alleging that they are prevented from buying licences for multiple plots to run their stalls due to a supposed lack of space.
They said DBKL, via a subsidiary organisation, denied these renewals to make way for new sellers to obtain licences of these plots instead.
Hawker Dave Choy, 46, who sells children's clothing, told Malaysiakini that this was unfair to the hawkers who have been earning a living for years at the morning market, adding that one plot was too small for hawkers who needed to display their goods for sale.
“This new organisation wants to squeeze space for incoming hawkers.
“When we applied the renewal of licences, they (DBKL) told us that there isn’t any space left, yet we see a lot of new hawkers around with new licences,” he said.
Each plot is approximately six metres long and six metres wide
Another hawker, 51-year-old Phang Foong Khoon, said she was willing to pay for the licence to get the additional space, however, it was DBKL that prevented her from doing so.
Battle among rival associations
Meanwhile, in a letter dated Nov 29, 2021, to DBKL sighted by Malaysiakini, Persatuan Penjaja dan Peniaga Oversea Union Garden president Tan Kian Kok claimed that the licence renewals were also rejected based on the reason that hawkers had to support the new organisation if they wished to continue to operate in the area.
He added that DBKL had cancelled two meetings with the association to discuss their claims.
Earlier today, DBKL was spotted checking the licences of each vendor at the market, as well as passing a circular requesting each hawker to vote between the two associations.
Tan was listed as a candidate under Persatuan Peniaga Pasar Pagi Hujan Rahmat 2 whereas Wong Choon Lee was listed under Persatuan Penjaja Taman OUG.
Some hawkers told Malaysiakini that they voted for Wong as they did not want to get involved in the politics between each association.
“I just went along with it. The most important thing is that I am able to operate and earn a living,” said a fruit seller.
A soya bean seller told Malaysiakini that he chose Wong to see if he could provide a difference, despite not knowing of or having seen Wong around.
Another hawker said she chose not to vote for Tan because although he had been a good president, there have been too many controversies and arguments in the association.
“He (Tan) is good. But I’m here to earn a living, not to fight. I don’t understand why they keep fighting, I just stay silent,” she said.
Malaysiakini is attempting to contact DBKL for comment. - Mkini
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