TRADERS blocking walkways was among the concerns raised during Kuala Lumpur’s “Dialog Bandar Raya” (City Dialogue).
The session, held for the Bukit Bintang parliamentary constituency, marked the second in a series of 11 dialogues scheduled by Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) this year to engage communities and address urban challenges across the city.
Bukit Bintang Federal Territory Residents Representative Council (MPPWP) sub-zone 4 chairman Cynthia Hor brought up the proliferation of roadside traders in Brickfields.
She said the traders operating on public walkways hindered accessibility for pedestrians.
“We have brought this up with DBKL many times in the past, but it has only reorganised traders.
“These traders should be relocated and the walkways left free for pedestrians,” Hor said.
DBKL executive director Ismadi Sakirin (Socio-economic Development), who moderated the session, responded that the issue of roadside stalls was a long-standing and complex one.
Ismadi (right) moderating the second Dialog Bandar Raya at Perpustakaan Kuala Lumpur. Also present were Fong (left) and DBKL heads of department.
While DBKL had undertaken several efforts to reorganise and regulate such traders, he said, enforcement alone was not a sustainable solution.
“We are also looking at long-term strategies, including identifying suitable trading zones and improving enforcement coordination.”
Jalan Alor Hawkers and Traders Association secretary Simon Ang called on DBKL to address the issue of pickpockets operating along the road.
He said business owners had observed a rise in pickpocketing since the nightly road closure began in 2023.
“We have raised this matter several times with the police, but nothing concrete has been done,” he said, adding that it was affecting visitor confidence and tarnishing the reputation of the popular tourist food street.
Ang also voiced concern about beggars in the area, saying they often approached diners.
In response, Ismadi said inter-agency solutions needed to be discussed and coordinated.
“Some of the issues raised here require further investigations by relevant departments.
“Feedback to residents will be given in two weeks.”
Several participants also raised concerns over the lack of parking in their neighbourhoods, urging DBKL to propose viable solutions.
Bukit Bintang MP Fong Kui Lun, who also attended the session, said the dialogue provided a valuable platform for the public to voice their concerns and suggestions directly to DBKL.
“As an MP, I constantly receive feedback from constituents, whether through social media, my service centre or face-to-face.”
Fong said while such dialogues were important, they should not be merely symbolic.
“Each suggestion must be properly recorded, evaluated and the findings communicated back to the community.”
About 250 people attended the event held at Perpustakaan Kuala Lumpur.
The next sessions will be held on July 12 for Lembah Pantai constituents at Pusat Komuniti Bukit Bandaraya and on July 26 for Titiwangsa constituents at Dewan Perdana, Keramat Mall.
