No more festivities, Melaka’s Jonker Street hit hard by the pandemic

MELAKA – The excitement and noise that was once common here is now gone.

Rows of shops and stalls that would be laden with customers, even parking areas that were always full – even in paid locations – are no longer occupied.

Everything is quiet, desolate, making this famous destination seem dead.

Getaran staff that made the survey on Jonker Street were stunned, seeing the glory fade away, buried by the Covid-19 virus.

The threat of this virus originating from Wuhan is clearly so severe, with the whole world hit by an economic crisis, and Jonker Street is no exception.

Renowned as a tourist hotspot, for both domestic and international visitors, the splendor of Jonker Street is no longer what it used to be, when the majority of businesses were flourishing.

Some of them have given up, stopped operations and retired for good.

With travel restrictions and bans across states as well as districts a major factor, Jonker Street will certainly not be able to survive without the presence of tourists.

Here and there banners are hung, for the purpose of advertising for either the sale or rental of premises.

Deputy chairman of the Jonker Street Committee, Datuk Gan Tian Loo, said all traders in the area have suffered losses of millions of ringgit since the closure of the tourism sector.

Almost 95% of the premises at the location, he said, had to be closed since January, when they could no longer afford the operating costs and shop rent.

"In total, in Jonker Walk, there are 500 premises, but in the focus area, Jonker Street, there are about 100 shops, and now only about 5% remain, that is, 'live shyly, die unwillingly'.

"Various efforts have been made to revive Jonker Street, including online promotions, but they have not shown results," he lamented.

Tian Loo said the closure of operations by homestay operators, budget hotels and reputable pharmacies also had an indirect impact on rickshaw pullers, which had been dependent on the presence of tourists and local visitors.

"I had a meeting with hawker associations, traders and shopkeepers recently and they complained that they could no longer operate due to high rents.

"Although there are some premises owners who have reduced the rental rate by up to 30%, it is not enough to help them continue their business," he said.

According to Tian Loo, the government in this regard is expected to help provide assessment tax reduction to all building owners, to enable them to reduce their burden.

“I really hope the federal and state governments can provide assistance to shopkeepers and hawkers in the Jonker Street area as it is a tourist hotspot.

"This also has an impact on rickshaw pullers who have not worked for almost half a year, have mercy on them. Although we have provided assistance, it is still not enough," he said.

Meanwhile, Cendol Jam Besar trader, Ramli Hussin admitted that his business was badly affected and he had to reduce the number of employees to five, compared to 11 previously.

"It can be said that income is affected by up to 60%. In the past, cendol and ABC could sell more than 1,000 bowls a day, but now it is difficult to (sell) 500 (bowls).

"Even so, I am grateful to at least be able to do business to earn income. My hope is that if travel is not allowed cross-state, allow it cross-district so that it can help traders like us," he said. – The Vibes, August 11, 2021

* This report previously appeared in our Malay-language sister portal Getaran