Govt's initiative to upgrade stalls, gives new breath of life for KL traders

04 Sep 2023 11:23pm

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, officiating the Lestari Niaga@Kuala Lumpur D’Medan Selera Madani initiative at Kompleks Tun Sambanthan - FILE PIX

KUALA LUMPUR - The government's move to modernise and upgrade stalls, through the Lestari Niaga@Kuala Lumpur initiative, is providing traders with a new lease of life for them to run their business comfortably from now on.

Kompleks Tun Sambanthan Food Court Hawkers Association chairman, M.Sivakumar, 47, hopes that the upgrading work at the complex can be done immediately, so that they can do their business more conveniently.

"We hope with the additional funds, we can go ahead with the repair of the exhaust fan which discharges smoke and heat in the kitchen. This problem has been there for several years, and has made it difficult for traders here,” he told Bernama.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, when officiating the Lestari Niaga@Kuala Lumpur D’Medan Selera Madani initiative at Kompleks Tun Sambanthan today, announced an additional allocation of RM10 million to upgrade stalls throughout Kuala Lumpur.

Lestari Niaga@Kuala Lumpur is a MADANI government initiative, aimed at improving existing facilities for petty traders and hawkers in the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur, to be more conducive and comfortable.

For trader, P. Indirani, 62, the exterior of the complex looks nice, but the interior problems, such as faulty toilets and water problems, need to be fixed as soon as possible, so that it can provide comfort to visitors.

Ali Kasim, 64, owner of SHZ Claypot Biryani, hopes that the infrastructure and parking problems around the complex can be improved.

"We also want tourist buses to be able to use this complex as a stop, so that more tourists can come here,” said Ali, who has been doing business in the area since 2015.

Earlier, at the event, Kuala Lumpur mayor Datuk Kamarulzaman Mat Salleh, in his speech, said that this year Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) had carried out beautification works at two places, namely D’Medan Selera Madani at Kompleks Tun Sambanthan and Kedai Bunga Little India, involving 71 traders.

"The work includes beautification of facades, improvement of roofs, repainting of buildings and murals, replacement of fans, lights, water pipes and installation of signboards,” he said.

He said that DBKL will continue to strive to provide comfortable, clean, beautiful and conducive public amenities for the comfort, safety and well-being of the city residents - BERNAMA