AKHBAR / NEWSPAPER : THE STAR
SEKSYEN / SECTION : NEWS
TARIKH / DATE : 24-Oct-2005
HARI / DAY : ISNIN (MON)
ISU / ISSUE : KERAJAAN TEMPATAN
MUKA SURAT / PAGE : 2
TAJUK / TITLE : 'We are tired of writing to the authorities'


UNCOUNTABLE letters have been written to the council and numerous meetings arranged;
yet residents of Kota Damansara 6 are still saddled with the problem of illegal stalls around
the neighbourhood.

The problem is not new.

The stalls have been in existence since the last six to seven years, says Kota Damansara 6
Residents Association secretary Alpadzul Abu Hassan.

“We have written letters and met with the MPPJ presidents, from Datuk Mohamed Nor Bador,
to Datuk Emran Kadir, Datuk Abdul Karim Munisar and now Datuk Ahmad Termizi Puteh, regarding
the problem, but to no avail,'' he said.

“We're tired of sending letters. Even Kota Damansara state assemblyman Datuk Mohd Mokhtar
Dahlan is aware of the problem,” he said.

The stalls operate from morning till about midnight, and can be found in clusters along the roads,
particularly around Jalan Cecawi 6/19A, Jalan Cecawi 6/30, and near the low-cost flats.

“Eighty percent of the traders are from outside the area,'' said Alpadzul. “Kota Damansara is a
modern development, but these stalls are scattered all over, making the place look so messy.

“What's more, traders of illegal food outlets indiscriminately discharge dirty water into the drains.
Sooner or later, the area will be infested with rats.

“Cars park along the roadside, especially the main road, Jalan Surian, disrupting traffic flow and
risking the safety of motorists,” he added.

Alpadzul said two areas – Jalan Cecawi 6/30 and Jalan Cecawi 6/19 - had been allocated for the
Petaling Jaya Municipal Council (MPPJ) to build a structure so as to centralise the stalls. “But, to
this day, nothing has been done.

“As an alternative, the stalls can also be centralised at Kompleks Muhibbah (Kota Damansara 6's
multi-purpose hall). We have highlighted this to the council, but there has been no enforcement
so far,” he added.

“We don't want to disturb their business. We just want MPPJ to centralise them in a proper area
so that the stalls won't pose as a risk to traffic and pedestrians,” said Alpadzul.

Resident Abdul Musawi Abu Bakar said: “They (MPPJ heads) keep saying they will centralise the
stalls, but it's all lip service.

“If squatters can be relocated to proper living areas, why not the illegal stalls? How different are
illegal stalls from squatters?”

MPPJ public relations officer Zainon Zakaria said the council was in the midst of finalising an in situ
programme for the relocation of the traders, but could not confirm a date.

She said vacancies in existing council-owned stalls within and outside Kota Damansara 6 were
available, but the traders had not indicated their interest.

“They (the traders) would rather maintain their illegal stalls despite having been compounded by
the council.”