Jalan TAR Night Market Vendors Relieved As Some Allowed To Operate Tonight

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 24 (Bernama) -- Vendors at the Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman (TAR) night market expressed relief when some of them were allowed to continue operating tonight.

Jalan TAR Traders and Hawkers Association deputy chairman Roslan Ghani said they were only informed this morning about the temporary closure of the night market near Jalan Masjid India due to a sinkhole incident that occurred yesterday.

He said that although most traders were aware of the situation, food vendors had already prepared their fresh ingredients in advance and not being allowed to sell would have resulted in losses.

“Following discussions with Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL), vendors have been allowed to operate at a safe distance from the sinkhole site. We were instructed to clear the area from Jalan Masjid India up to the Jalan Bunus intersection,” he told Bernama tonight.

As a result, Roslan said only about 250 food stalls are allowed to operate, starting from the road next to Semua House (Jalan Bunus) to Jalan Campbell.

He added that the Jalan TAR night market, a popular weekend destination for visitors, usually stretches from Jalan Masjid India to Jalan Campbell, involving 567 stalls.

Meanwhile, Riduan Mohd Nor, 61, who sells nasi berlauk was relieved after being granted approval to operate tonight as he had already purchased fresh ingredients.

“If I couldn’t trade, it would definitely result in a loss. I feel relieved now that we have been granted permission, even though I have to relocate from my original spot,” said Riduan, who has been trading at the Jalan TAR night market for 25 years.

A Bernama check at the night narket found that there were still visitors in the area, although in fewer numbers than before the sinkhole incident at Jalan Masjid India.

Business activities now primarily focus on selling food, as opposed to the previous situation, where the night market offered a variety of goods, including clothing.

DBKL has confirmed that businesses located far from the sinkhole site were allowed to operate as usual and urged all vendors to remain vigilant about the current situation.

Yesterday, the media reported that a 48-year-old tourist from India named Vijayaletchumy went missing after falling into the eight-metre-deep sinkhole that occurred at 8.22 am.

-- BERNAMA