KUALA LUMPUR’S Dataran Merdeka has been thrown into disarray by the presence of illegal street vendors outside the recently refurbished Sultan Abdul Samad Building, which was officially reopened on 2 February.
The iconic structure had been widely praised for its clean and fresh appearance following restoration work, attracting both locals and international tourists.
Short video clips circulating online show the area resembling a night market, with rows of makeshift stalls selling drinks in large containers and Indonesian-style snacks, including Ramia Cilok Sup, drawing numerous passersby.
The footage also highlights the audacity of traders who set up in a zone clearly not designated for business, with their numbers growing until the area appeared as though official concessions had been permitted.
Comments on the videos suggest that many of the traders were migrants operating food stalls, particularly selling cilok, a popular Sundanese snack.
The unauthorised activity has been criticised for undermining the atmosphere of Dataran Merdeka, a prime tourist and heritage site, and for detracting from the Year of Visit Malaysia’s promotional image of a clean and vibrant city.
Kuala Lumpur Mayor Datuk Fadlun Mak Ujud emphasised that Dataran Merdeka, including the Sultan Abdul Samad Building, is a strictly no-vending zone.
“Dataran Merdeka is indeed a prohibited area for hawkers. Action has been taken to prevent traders from operating there. Two seizures have already been carried out and DBKL will increase patrols to control vending activity,” he told Berita Harian today.
The episode has raised questions about enforcement following the viral videos showing neatly arranged tables and uniformed setups, which gave the scene an almost organised market appearance.
Dataran Merdeka, with its historical significance and high tourist footfall, remains subject to stringent local authority regulations to safeguard cleanliness, security, and the city’s image. - February 18, 2026
