KUALA LUMPUR – A total of 98 small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) operators at Sri Semarak, Setapak, here, have lost their source of income after the area was demolished on Thursday.
Kuala Lumpur Community Welfare Movement Organisation chairman Hussen Zulkarai said the situation had not only disrupted business operations but also directly affected the livelihoods of the operators’ families, who depended on their daily income.
“Everyone has dependants. Some have children still in school, some have children studying at university, while others are supporting parents who need medical treatment. Who is going to support them now?” he said when met by reporters at Surau Al-Jabbar, Jalan Ayer Keroh Dalam, here.
Hussen urged the government to immediately provide the traders with a new site.
“At the very least, they should have a replacement site within three months. If we do not take this matter seriously, I fear it could drag on for years.
“Besides that, the developer should help provide basic facilities such as electricity, water and roads so that they can get back on their feet,” he said.
For Mohd Rizal Mat Tahir, 50, who has rented a site at the location since 2006, the future of his business remains uncertain.
He runs a vehicle repair workshop and was forced to let go of three employees who depended on the business for their livelihoods.
“I don’t know what will happen next. I may be able to smile today, but I don’t know what tomorrow will bring. I am not the only one who has lost my source of income; my workers have also been affected.
“They are understandably very disappointed. I hope they will have the patience to get through this and that they will be able to find a source of income,” he said.
Mohd Rizal said his status as a tenant meant he might not be eligible for a new site.
Meanwhile, Setiawangsa Parliamentary Zone coordinator Datuk Afdlin Shauki Aksan said intensive discussions involving the operators, developer, government agencies and other relevant parties had been held in an effort to find a solution.
He said three locations had been identified as potential sites to help the operators resume their businesses.
“The locations include two sites in the Batu sub-district and another in Cheras, which is not far from here.
“There is still a process to go through and follow-up action is needed from the relevant parties. However, the association and its committee need to finalise the site selection to help speed up the process,” he said.
In a related development, Afdlin Shauki also stressed that Surau Al-Jabbar would not be affected by the development project.
He said the surau site, which is officially listed by the Federal Territories Islamic Religious Department (JAWI), would continue to be preserved for use as a surau, while matters concerning the land were being coordinated with the relevant religious authorities.
“Surau Al-Jabbar is not just a building. It has long been part of the lives of the community and business operators in this area.
“So, I want to stress that there should be no more confusion. Surau Al-Jabbar will not be affected,” he said.
Afdlin said several matters still needed to be clarified and resolved, urging all parties to give the process some time and avoid statements or actions that could worsen the situation.
“This is not about one side winning over another. It is about what can happen when the government, agencies, developer, community representatives and the people are willing to sit down together to find a solution,” he said.