Melaka car-free zone still being studied, traders not told to evict: exco

MELAKA – The state government has confirmed that no eviction notice has been issued to traders around the Banda Hilir area, especially at Uptown Pahlawan Walk, following the proposal to create a car-free zone at the tourist location. 

State Housing, Local Government, Drainage, Climate Change and Disaster Management Committee chairman Datuk Rais Yasin said so far the proposal to turn the 2.4km stretch in Banda Hilir into a car-free zone is still being studied. 

“We understand the concerns of traders around the Stadthuys, Dataran Pahlawan, Pahlawan Walk and Uptown Pahlawan Walk following the chief minister’s (Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh) proposal to convert the area into a vehicle-free zone, but it is still at the study stage. 

“In fact, the state government has just directed the council to hold a dialogue with traders and the first session will be tonight,” he said after a meeting with over 100 traders at the Plaza Mahkota building and Pahlawan Walk here last night. 

He said a thorough study was needed because various aspects must be looked into, including the routes to close, the number of parking spaces available and the exit routes.  

Rais said the results of the study would be presented in the state executive council meeting and the public would be informed of any development, adding there was no specific period for the study to be conducted. 

Meanwhile, commenting on a viral video on social media in which a woman claimed that the car-free zone project will affect the businesses of nearly 200 traders at Uptown Pahlawan Walk, Rais said it was an irresponsible act as the matter was not true. 

“The traders themselves confirmed that they have not received any eviction notice and this is their first dialogue with us and the state authorities. 

He said one of the objectives of the car-free zone in the Banda Hilir area every Friday, Saturday and Sunday was to ensure that Melaka becomes a low-carbon city in addition to wanting to preserve the historic buildings around the location which are the main tourism products in the state. 

“We want to improve the economic well-being of the people in Banda Hilir. So, as long as the plan is still under study and no notice has been issued, the traders can continue to operate as usual,” he added. – Bernama, July 5, 2023