Hawkers' Mentality

We conveyed a meeting with the hawkers of Section 17 Morning Market and Night Food Stalls on Tuesday to discuss about the proposed development plan of market at Jalan 17/27. The proposed plan consists of basement level of parking inclusive 28 lorry parking and loading and unloading area, 4 levels of shoppoing mall, 2 levels of market and 2 tower blocks of apartment. Interest of the attendees was focusing on the market. They are more concerned about getting free stalls, lower rental and maintenance fee, better stall utensils, longer operation hours, accessibility from outside and within etc. While all the concerns are valid and need to refine, the mentality of "I MUST HAVE" during discussion without considering other contributing factors are of my concern. There are quaters suggesting to increase the height of the ramp ingress to the basement level as their 5 tonnes lorry height is 11 feet, a foot higher than the proposal. It is only 2 of them, out of 142. Another lady suggested not to build the market as her stall is catering to the passer by only and the nature of her business might be difficult for the customer to park and shop. The suggestions have adverse impact on the construction cost and schedulling of work. As informal sector is a nature of life in Malaysia, the entry requirement for this sector is rather easier and economic prospect is not encouraging, i believe that the number of hawkers will increase and we have no other alternative but to deal with them. In order to manage informal sector properly so not to jeopardise orderly urban development, it is neccessary to formulate a comprehensive blue print for informal sector. Definitely a paradigm shift on mentality is an important component.