Kepong hawkers given time to vacate

 

Over 30 hawkers will be affected by the temporary relocation, necessary to carry out upgrade works on the decades-old Kepong Baru Hawker Food Centre. — LOW BOON TAT/The Star

DBKL permits extension but temporary relocation arrangements still vague

LICENSED hawkers at Kepong Baru Hawker Food Centre have been given more time to vacate to make way for upgrading works after objections that the April 1 deadline was too abrupt.

Kepong MP Lim Lip Eng said he raised concerns that the 21-day notice by Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) was too short as the hawkers were only informed about it on March 10.

“During my meeting with the hawkers on March 19, they said the time given was not enough to vacate the premises.

“Since then, I have communicated with DBKL and they have stated the deadline will be extended until a proper briefing and arrangements are made,” he said, when briefing the press near the hawker centre at Jalan Antoi Kiri 1.

Lim said the hawkers have also asked for a temporary relocation site to avoid losing their income during the three to six month upgrading period.

The facelift, he said, was part of DBKL’s RM200mil allocation to upgrade old food courts.

Lim: A meeting will be held with the hawkers and DBKL to iron out the issue of vacating the food court.

Lim added that he has approached DBKL to secure funding for both Jinjang Utara Market and Kepong Baru Hawker Food Centre after learning about the allocation.

On the new deadline and temporary relocation site, he said a meeting would be held in the coming weeks between his office, DBKL and the hawkers.

Dessert seller and hawker representative Lwee Yee Huan, 48, said DBKL officers had earlier told the traders to find another place to operate during the upgrading period.

“We felt the time given to us was too rushed, as we were unable to find another spot to operate in such short notice.

“We welcome the upgrading works but most of us are concerned about our livelihood because it means having to give up operating at the food court for three to six months,” he said.

Lwee said the food centre has over 50 years of history.

He added that the move would affect more than 30 hawkers, most of whom operate at night.

He said the hawkers were hoping DBKL would provide a temporary site.

Hawker Gan Kong Han, 45, said finding another location within three weeks was impossible.

“This is in addition to clearing all our equipment like refrigerators, kitchen appliances and utensils at the food court.

“It would take more than one month to make those arrangements,” he said. - Star