17 hawkers can continue operating at site
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| All planned: Saravanan (right), Nong Chik (second from right) and NGOs representatives taking a look at the Little India project plans that will see Brickfields being transformed into a cultural enclave. |
THE 17 hawkers in Jalan Thamby Pillai who are not part of the Little India upgrading project in Brickfields had their licences renewed yesterday so they could continue operating at the location.
Federal Territories and Urban Wellbeing Minister Datuk Raja Nong Chik Raja Zainal Abidin handed over the licences to Datuk K. Sabaratnam, who is the adviser to consultative committee for collective NGOs in Brickfields.
Nong Chik clarified that these 17 hawkers were not in the way of the Little India project but are involved only in the traffic dispersal system where certain roads will be converted into one-way streets.
“These 17 have been informed since last October that their licences will not be renewed after its expiry in December.
“However, we received appeals from the hawkers’ representatives requesting that they be allowed to stay.
“After consideration, we came to an agreement that we will renew their licences, since their operating site does not affect or hinder work at the main roads of the traffic dispersal system we are carrying out,” he said at his office in Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) yesterday.
“However, we have asked them to clean up the site in line with the upgrading image of Brickfields.”
It is learnt that these 17 hawkers were initially supposed to be moved out of Brickfields.
Also present at the press conference were deputy minister Datuk M. Saravanan, DBKL officers, other NGOs and an official from the Malaysian Resources Corporation Bhd (MRCB).
Nong Chik said the relocation concerning 67 traders affected by the Little India redevelopment plans was not an issue and that they would be shifted to the temporary site at Jalan Chan Ah Tong.
Out of these 67, 17 who used to operate from Jalan Thamby Abdullah would likely be moved back there once the upgrading works are done.
It is learnt that the 17 from Jalan Thamby Abdullah had agreed to move out so as long as they are allowed to return.
The remaining 50 may be placed in a new site in Brickfields.
Nong Chik said the NGOs would form a committee with the DBKL to discuss “moving back” plans later.
An official from the MRCB said the Little India project would start in two weeks, while Saravanan said the entire redevelopment would take between five and six months to complete.
It is tentatively expected to be completed in November.
Nong Chik said the government listened to the people and that changes made was for the rakyat.
He added that under the project, seven pedestrian bridges would be built, four of which will have lifts and escalators.
The RM35mil Little India project will sport a multi-storey carpark, high-end Indian bazaar, souvenir centre, fruit and flower kiosks, information counter and a food court.
The project will see the township being transformed into a cultural enclave reflecting the 1Malaysia concept and provide a tourism boost for Brickfields.
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