Chow Kit Market traders in new section plead for lower rent

TRADERS at the Chow Kit wet market on Jalan Raja Bot are seeking the goodwill of Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) to reduce their rent as they prepare to relocate to the new multi-storey market next door.

They are asking DBKL to reduce their rent, which can go as high as RM800 per month, by 50% to 70% as they plan to move into the new premises after the Hari Raya celebrations.
 
The traders, who never had to pay rent at their old premises, are hoping City Hall will reduce the amount to ease their burden.

Persatuan Penjaja-Penjaja dan Peniaga-Peniaga Kecil Kawasan Chow Kit deputy chairman Ng Keat Siong said they hope to have a meeting with DBKL in April.

“We want to discuss a reduction in the rental as the amount is high for the traders here,” Ng told The Vibes.

He said part of the new market is already completed but they have also asked DBKL to look into a few issues at the new site.

“They (DBKL) asked us to move after Hari Raya but some issues need to be addressed,” Ng said.

“Among them are the exhaust fans for the food court, locks for the shops, cold room, additional walkway ramp, car park and others.”

He said some of the food operators have already moved in and they expect the rest to follow once all the issues have been sorted.

“We have no objections moving here once the issues are resolved.”

Ng said there has been no rental fees for the stalls at the market, but the bigger shops are charged fees which amounted to a few hundred ringgit a year.

“But, now the rent at the new market is high, which can go up to RM800 per month for the bigger shops and the nature of their business. As for a single stall, the rental is about RM300 per month.

“We have already asked DBKL for a reduction in the rent and, for now, they have given us six months free rental.

“We have yet to discuss a fixed rental. We are waiting for DBKL to call us for a meeting.”

He added that they will be moving to the market in batches.

“Not everyone is happy to move, but they have to relocate here. What we want is convenience for us and our customers.”

Ng said he and the other traders who have been around for more than 40 years have a lot of fond memories of the current market.

“The special thing about this market is that you can get everything here, if the customers can’t find what they need in other markets, they will come here.

“Most of the people here have been operating here for about 40 years and have passed on their business to their families.

“We also hope to see more customers coming in after the move.”

There are 1,477 stalls and shops at the existing market to be relocated under Phase II of the redevelopment of Pasar Raja Bot project.

The RM 177.5 million market is ready to house the stalls and shops in stages over the next few years.

The 69-year-old market’s redevelopment was first announced under an initial allocation of RM200 million in 2011 by then deputy prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin.

The new multi-storey market complex is expected to be completed in four phases.

This will include the wet market, dry market, utilities and an eight-storey car park with more than 500 parking bays. – The Vibes, April 1, 2024.