KUALA LUMPUR – Things became heated when traders in Little India, Brickfields, protested against the organisers of a charity concert scheduled to be held this weekend.
Worried about the possibility of having their incomes affected, traders are against the idea of having a concert in the proximity of their business premises.
During a meeting with the organisers, Yayasan Perpaduan Rakyat Malaysia (YPRM), the traders claimed that poor crowd management of the concert would hinder customers from visiting their stalls.
However, despite these concerns, YPRM’s advisor Dayalan Sreebalan told the angry mob of traders that the concert would continue nevertheless.
Speaking to Scoop after engaging with traders, Dayalan explained that this is a charity event and is baffled as to why the traders would want to protest against such events.
He said the charity concert will feature traditional Indian performances such as Bharatanatyam and other classical dances. This event will be graced by the Federal Territories Minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa and Batu MP P. Prabakaran.
“YPRM will be donating food to 1,000 individuals and issuing vouchers to an orphanage, which would allow them to prepare for Deepavali,” Dayalan said.
At the same time, Dayalan did not rule out the possibility of a “political” agenda behind this protest.
“Some of the traders who protested are from a ‘cartel’ that prevents new traders from operating in the area.”
Nevertheless, Dayalan also explained that YPRM is still negotiating with Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) for a suitable place to hold the concert without disrupting business operations.
“They (the traders) are making it a political issue. It’s not that they can’t operate. They are concerned with the VIPs who are attending.
“They want their own VIPs to come. Who are the VIPs? This, you have to ask the traders. All over Brickfields, you will see one VIP’s picture, and maybe it could be him,” he added.
Meanwhile, Persatuan Prihatin Little India Brickfields secretary Thinakaran Periannan refuted Dayalan’s claims and explained that traders are indeed concerned that their business operations would be jeopardised due to the concert.
According to Thinakaran, the last five days leading to Deepavali are crucial for the traders, as they need to clear stock.
“Some of these traders have borrowed money to buy goods. They have to make sure to make some profit as they also celebrate Deepavali,” Thinakaran told Scoop.
Given YPRM’s insistence that the concert will continue, Thinakaran said it shows how apathetic they are towards the B40 traders in Brickfields.
Thinakaran stated that previously, there were concerts held in Brickfields, but the organisers would give sufficient time to traders to prepare.
“We would definitely cooperate if the organisers had told us in advance. However, the traders were only notified on October 9 after setting up and operating.
“I am not privy to our traders’ income, but the last five days (of Deepavali) are crucial, and some can make RM30,000 to RM50,000. These traders are not rich people. If they were rich, they wouldn’t be opening stalls on the roadside,” Thinakaran added.
Meanwhile, one murukku trader who only wanted to be identified as Rose explained that during a Deepavali concert last year, the area became too crowded with concertgoers, preventing customers from entering her stall.
Rose said that because of the concert and preparations for the event last year, she lost almost RM50,000, adding that the organisers should hold their concert in another area.
“The area is small. Even if 100 people enter this area, it will be very crowded. Last year, because of the crowd and the loud music, not many came to my shop. I can only sell murukku during Deepavali,” Rose said.
Scoop is awaiting the response of Kuala Lumpur Mayor Datuk Seri Maimunah Mohd Sharif. – October 22, 2024