Factory operators upset with night bazaar plan

LIGHT industry operators in Taman Perindustrian Puchong Utama are up in arms over a proposed night bazaar at their area.

About 50 operators gathered on Thursday to voice out their disagreement towards the project, citing congestion and security as the reasons.

Workshop owner Joe Choo, who represented the group, said he first heard about the project from a customer.

Opposing views: The operators protesting against the bazaar plan.

“He told me that he owned two lots in the 140-lot night bazaar, which will start in early April, from 9pm to 3am daily.

“It will be set up along Jalan Utama 1/3, 1/4 and 1/5. We were shocked as we were never consulted before the project was approved,” Choo said.

With the 140 traders coming into the area, the factory operators are worried that it might cause traffic problems.

“We are sure that the traders will come earlier to set up the stalls, most of which are located right in front of our workshops or factories.

“Although we usually close at 7pm, faulty vehicles would sometimes be towed into our shops late at night. The night bazaar would be an inconvenience,” Choo said.

The group sought help from Seri Serdang assemblyman Datuk Satim Diman’s special assistant Kuan Chee Heng, who conveyed their protests to the Subang Jaya Municipal Council (MPSJ) president Datuk Adnan Md Ikshan.

“He told me that the licences to trade in the bazaar had not been approved yet and he instructed the JKP Zone 15 to discuss the matter with the operators.

“Adnan also asked me to get elected representatives from the industry for a meeting with the MPSJ next week,” Kuan said.

MPSJ councillor Choong Yew Lim said the location of the bazaar had yet to be finalised.

“We have approved the project, but we haven’t decided on the location. Taman Perindustrian Puchong Utama is just an option suggested by the traders,” he said.

Choong added that the project originally consisted of 100 stalls but Adnan proposed to add more to benefit the people.

“Many illegal small traders scattered around the area have complained to us that it is difficult for them to make a living with the council issuing summonses to them every now and then, so we came out with the idea of a night bazaar to put them together,” he said.

To maintain the cleanliness of the area, the traders at the bazaar are not allowed to cook and sell food items, and no chairs and tables are allowed to be set up.

He added that the bazaar would only operate from 9pm to midnight, and not unitl 3am.

“Since the factory operators are objecting to the plan, we may consider having the bazaar on weekends only,” he added.