THE 140 traders at the Lorong Petaling Pasar Karat in Kuala Lumpur have expressed concern their business will be reduced if they are forced to relocate.
Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) issued them with an eviction notice in October 2023, ordering them to vacate the site by December 31 the same year,
The traders were given lots at a new site next to the Lee Lam Thye market in Jalan Tun HS Lee.
Pasar Karat is well known for vintage goods, antiques and used items. Back in the day, it was known as a "thieves market" because many of the items sold there were believed to be stolen.
The traders these days sell used items such as cameras, badminton rackets, toys, shoes and clothing sourced from other flea markets, jumble sales and secondhand shops.
The traders are worried they will lose their identity and their customers if they move.
They are open from 6am to 10am daily in Lorong Petaling. DBKL has informed them that when they move to the new site, they will only be able to operate from 3am to 8am.
N. Vegas, 61, who has been doing business at the market for 20 years, said business is good at weekends.
"I travel from Bukit Beruntung daily to do business here. Weekdays are slow, but weekends are good," Vegas said.
"I'm selling vintage stuff and used items such as badminton racquets, shoes, toys. We get the stuff from thrift markets, flea markets, car boot sales and other places.
"We are happy here. This place is well known and it's even on YouTube. So why do we have to move?
"There are no issues here and we also have workers to clean up the place. There are no hazards here, so we are not keen to move. We are not disturbing anyone."
Vegas said the new site is too small.
"I don't think all the traders will be able to fit into the area.
"They have also told us that business hours are from 3am to 8am. Who is going to come at 3am to buy things at the new site?
"The traders use public transport to carry their goods. Which public transport operates at 3am?" Vegas said.
Pealus Majid, 53 who has been trading in the area for 20 years, sells shoes, bags, helmets, clothing and other used goods.
"Doing business here is easy. We love the Pasar Karat. If we can, we don't want to move," he said.
"We want to preserve this place because everyone knows about Pasar Karat through Instagram, Facebook and other social media platforms.
"We also get a lot of tourists coming here to look for antiques.
Pealus said traders do not sell stolen goods as they have to look after their image.
He agreed the temporary site is toosmall and not conducive for business.
"We don't agree with the 3am (opening hour). It's too early in the morning and people haven't woken up yet."
Another trader, who wished to be known as Arif, said he has been selling antique and vintage goods at the market for seven years.
"In 2021 DBKL beautified this place. We were sent to a temporary location near Lorong Petaling for a year, then we moved back here.
"Business was slow but then it started to pick up. But suddenly, we hear the news (that we have to move)," the 43-year-old Arif said.
He said the new location is not suitable for a flea market.
"I don't think the area can fit all the raders. We have had a few meetings with DBKL and voiced our reservations," Arif said.
"We are comfortable here. It's sad that we have to move. It's not just affecting the traders but the customers who know this place."
Arif added that DBKL is planning to upgrade a building and place in it the traders at the flea market and the Lee Lam Thye market .
"We heard upgrading work will start in August and it could take about two years. So we will have to move again and we don't know to where." – April 18, 2024.
