Blown Over Saravanan S Flimsy Brickfields Tents Warning Proves True

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MIC deputy president M Saravanan’s warning about flimsy tents at the Little India Deepavali bazaar in Brickfields, Kuala Lumpur, proved prophetic this morning, when rain and winds caused several to collapse.According to images and videos sighted by Malaysiakini, the tents, which had sparked Saravanan’s ire, were haphazardly strewn about in the middle of a main road in the area. 
Several officers, clad in Kuala Lumpur City Hall vests, could also be seen attempting to right the temporary structures while controlling traffic flow.
The incident saw cars, buses, and motorists passing by mere inches from the collapsed tents, which a source said had been “blown away” earlier this morning after slight winds and rain.
ADSMalaysiakini has contacted Kuala Lumpur mayor Maimunah Sharif for comments.
Yesterday, Saravanan had cautioned that the shoddy-looking tents could give way at the first sign of challenging weather conditions.
MIC deputy president M Saravanan inspecting the tents yesterdayBesides criticising their placement on a main road notorious for its traffic congestion, he also argued that traders would face difficulties in displaying their wares due to the small size and cramped nature of the tents.
After visiting the site with members of the Brickfields traders’ association, Saravanan appealed to Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories) Dr Zaliha Mustafa and Maimunah to intervene, inviting them to see the situation on the ground.
Pointing out that traders had not even asked for the tents, which bear the words “Jajahan Rakyat” and “Malaysia Madani”, as they were capable of putting up their own, the Tapah MP also questioned the demand for a RM2,500 deposit for the structures. 
He also claimed that while the area’s traders’ association had previously paid such deposits, the funds had allegedly not been returned by DBKL after three years.
Traders worried
Meanwhile, a council member of the National Petty Traders’ Association said that about 10 tents were damaged in the incident.
The council member, only known as Muraletharan, urged the relevant authorities to resolve the issue soon, as Deepavali is nearing.
“The traders are getting worried. That’s why we need someone with authority to resolve this matter quickly,” he told Malaysiakini.
Acknowledging that Zaliha may be too busy, he urged the ministry or DBKL to task someone with authority to go to the ground and address the traders’ woes.
“My association can help DBKL (in providing proper canopies) but how are we to assist if the city hall won’t even invite us for the meetings?” he asked.
ADSCentralising bazaar management
Zaliha had reportedly held a meeting with affected shopowners and traders last week, after which she directed DBKL to review an arrangement which saw the local authority assuming control of the festive bazaar.
DBKL said centralising the management of all festive bazaars in the city was due to repeated disputes over lot distribution under the previous system, where bazaar lots were managed and allocated by certain traders’ associations.
Shopowners, however, argued that the new balloting system under DBKL denied them the chance to trade directly outside their respective premises. 
The Star reported that following the engagement session with Zaliha, it was decided that shopowners along Jalan Tun Sambanthan may trade outside their own shops, while 44 ballot winners would be maintained along the designated stretch. 
Zaliha is said to have described the revised arrangement as a “win-win solution”, which would only apply for this year, and instructed DBKL to engage stakeholders before future bazaars.  - Mkini

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