Traders’ problems can be fixed, says PJ mayor

By Tan Karr Wei
http://thestar.com.my/metro/story.asp?file=/2009/2/23/central/3321976&sec=central

MANY of the problems in the Petaling Jaya Old Town market can be fixed by the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) Quick Response Team.

“Some of the problems here are minor, like missing or broken drain covers. Our Quick Response Team should be able to handle them,” mayor Datuk Mohamad Roslan Sakiman said after the opening ceremony of the service centres of councillors Tang Fuie Koh and Latheefa Koya.

While making his rounds in the market, several traders also approached the mayor to complain about the low water pressure.

“The market cannot make do without water. This is a serious matter which we will discuss with Syabas,” said Roslan.

An eyesore: Mohamad Roslan (second from left) and several MBPJ officers and councillors taking a walk around the PJ Old Town market to find out the problems faced by traders and customers.

The market was fitted with 5.08cm pipes when the standard should be 10.16cm pipes.

Tang and Latheefa’s service centres are located at Unit 22 and 23 of the Jalan Othman Bus Station respectively.

Roslan said the council had reduced the rental rates of the 40 units of shop lots above the bus station from RM250 to RM150 to encourage more traders to take up the lots.

“Currently, only eight units are taken up. We will also look into upgrading the trading area because it is dark and hot.

“We will look into the feasibility of using transparent materials for the roof to allow more natural light and to install more fans,” said Roslan.

The mayor also handed out certificates to the committee members of the residents’ representative council (MPP) for Zone 15 and 16.

“The setting up of the MPP is crucial because the committee can work together with the residents and councillors to attend to the problems in their zone,” said Roslan.

The MBPJ also organised a gotong-royong session with the help of residents in the area to remove illegal banners and advertising stickers.

These illegal advertising stickers were a problem not only in the PJ Old Town but also throughout the whole city.

“We were testing a type of material that makes it hard to put stickers on but the cost is too high so we’re looking into other alternatives,” said Roslan.