Lucky Garden Hawker Stalls Leave Out Those Most In Need

2021-10-08 03:48:58 0 Comments 82689 view

By Warga Kota Yang Adil Dan Saksama

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia--We have noticed that rebuilding works have commenced at the previous stalls site in Lorong Ara Kiri 3, Lucky Garden and soon, there will be opportunities for those who wish to earn a decent living, feed themselves and their families.

As this is a project by DBKL, one would expect the allocation of stalls to be transparent and along strict criteria guidelines. We would also expect DBKL to do what is right and not cave-in to people that do not deserve it.

Therefore, we would urge DBKL to consider these following and important points:

One of the criteria for approval and allocation of the stalls would be priority for those that fall in the B40 groups. For those who have previously operated the stalls there it does not mean that it is their right or an entitlement or an automatic choice to be able to obtain a stall.

In fact, during the closure of the stalls and the MCO period, quite a number of them have gone and rebuilt their own businesses with a few taking shop lots in the affluent Taman Lucky.

The fact that they can afford such high rental rates indicates that they are making good sales and able to cover the rental cost. One good example is the fruit seller, kari kepala ikan and appam stall owners, who are currently renting such premises and paying rental as high as RM10,000.00 per month.

Do they deserve to be given stall permits, are we not making the rich richer? These people are likely in the above M40 if not T20 groups now and take advantage of the free rental at the stalls with just paying a token sum for the hawker license fee.

These stalls are granted special permits where they are privileged to not pay commercial rent since they are supposed to be underprivileged or disadvantaged people. Previously for the past 22 years these stall operators were paying RM128 a year for the license fees and no rental.

As a matter of fact, DBKL should review biannually the progress of these stalls and if they are found to be earning well beyond what is an average wage, they should be encouraged to move on to shop lots. DBKL should then allocate the stalls to the deserving operators.

The current operators have been on that site for more than 22 years and it is unbelievable that they continue to enjoy the benefit of obtaining a stall. As mentioned, the stall lots are not a legacy/inheritance nor a monopoly, instead it is a set up by the government to help petty traders to make a living. DBKL needs to seriously reconsider what is the priority in setting up of stalls?

How is DBKL going to answer when stall operators have shop lots. Does that mean shop lots like some major restaurant chains will also be entitled for a stall lot?

As this site is located within Lembah Pantai constituency, opportunities should be given to those who reside within this populace. This would make sense to ease of transportation and the given address.

Since COVID-19 pandemic many have lost their jobs within the Lembah Pantai constituency and its shame that these people who applied have been declined from obtaining a lot, merely to appease these privileged ones from the earlier stall list of operators.

Those who applied and were declined, live within this constituency. Some of them do not have jobs and are looking forward to making a living by obtaining a stall. Why these double standard practices by DBKL?

In conclusion, DBKL should consider what is its priority as a city council. These stalls are meant for local people within the Lembah Pantai vicinity and not for operators from afar. If their business is good they should be not greedy and hoard these lots.

After 22-years if they cannot make it good in business and insist on still using this privilege to feel entitled to be given a lot then its sheer selfishness.
Is DBKL genuine about helping the real urban poor or are there other underlying “factors” that cloud DBKL into giving these lots to the same few after all these years.