Frustrated tenants, Mall’s management gives eviction letter on short notice
JOHOR BARU: Dozens of tenants from the Danga Festive Street Mall are frustrated with the mall’s management for evicting them with only a short notice.
Their representative, Ungku Natrah Ungku Ismail said they received a letter of notification to leave the mall on Sept 22.
“Some of the traders, who have a contract agreement with the mall, were told to leave by the end of the year and others, in a few weeks.
“We are angered by the fact that the management expects us to leave just like that without providing us with an alternative trading space,” she said at a press conference organised by Johor MCA Public Complaints Bureau chief Chia Song Cheng.
Ungku Natrah added that although tenants were given notices to vacate the premises, the management even turned off the central air-conditioning in the mall a week ago.
She said at present about 300 tenants occupied the mall.
“The main entrance and exit of the mall’s car park has also been blocked.
“Such action is unfair to us as we are still paying the full rental and such actions jeopardises our business,” she said.
Ungku Natrah added that the management did not provide a valid reason for asking them to vacate the premises.
“I hope that the management will reconsider their decision as the mall is usually crowded with tourists and Johoreans especially during weekends,” she said.
Another tenant, Anis Hassan said that some traders have been operating at the mall for five years and the newest tenants had just moved in two weeks ago.
“I do not understand why the management is still accepting new tenants when they have already given orders for us to move out.
“The management has to understand that we need a longer period to search for a place to shift our business,” she sighed.
In relation to the matter, Chia said that he would forward a letter to Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Abdul Ghani Othman and to the management regarding the issue.
“I will write a letter on the tenants’ behalf and request the management to reinstate the facilities at the mall as well as to give them a longer time to move out.
“I hope that the management will understand the tenants’ situation and give them more time,” he said.
When contacted, Danga Festive Street mall manager Emerson John Nain said that the mall was currently occupied by 87 tenants and most of their tenancy agreements have expired.
“The notice to vacate was issued to the tenants in Aug this year and they are given three months to hand-over their shops.
“As of Sept 29, about 30 tenants have agreed to hand over vacant possession of the shops,” he said.
He added that the mall has been experiencing air-conditioning disruptions hence they had to turn of the facility.
“The road access to the mall has also been closed due to on-going tree punting works and for the safety of the public.
“We are looking into the matter and hope to settle all issues immediately,” he said.
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