By Norrasyidah Arshad
SHAH ALAM, Jan 6 — Hawkers at Jalan Taqwa, along Persiaran Puchong Permai had breached their temporary permit conditions by leasing their licences to third parties to make profit, said Subang Jaya City Council (MBSJ).
Its Corporate and Strategic Management Department deputy director Azfarizal Abdul Rashid said their business activities had also deviated from the original concept when hawkers started building permanent structures, leaving their goods and placing chairs and tables at the area.
“They started operating eateries with restaurant capacity, second-hand clothing stores, car wash centres and sundry shops, when these activities are only suitable to be carried out at shoplots, not in public areas.
Some even sold fresh produce like in those sold in public markets, ‘pasar tani’, morning market or ‘pasar malam’,” he said in a statement.
As a result, MBSJ had received numerous complaints from the public that their activities had caused traffic disruption and posed a threat to public safety.
“Thus this location is not suitable as a hawker’s site so MBSJ will move them to a more proper and comfortable place,” he said.
According to him, the new site is situated next to Uptown Puchong business centre that used to be popular among residents and is beside the ‘pasar tani’ which is frequented by the public every Sunday.
“The former Uptown Puchong site beside the hawkers area will be developed into a food court and a football field this year.
“The area will also have a playground and a big parking lot to accommodate visitors,” said Azfarizal.
He said each hawker will get a large site measuring 10×10 feet (ft) compared to the normal size of 8×8 ft as well as a common or uniform kiosk facility measuring 6×3 ft.
Asfarizal added that the transfer is part of the local council’s initiative to systematically relocate hawkers around Puchong Permai.
The hawkers were given sufficient time to move out from the premises since 2019, however, it was deferred a few times when they asked for an extension until November 2020.
On December 28, MBSJ demolished five out of 36 unpermitted permanent structures built on the road shoulders, as the hawkers had breached their temporary permit conditions by leasing their licences to third parties.
The measures were taken according to Section 46 (1)(a) and 70 (13) (Act 133) of the Street, Drainage and Building Act 1974.
