With only about two weeks left to Deepavali, some 40 Brickfields petty traders today took to Putrajaya in a last ditch attempt to have their traditional festive bazaar site for the last eight years restored.

Deepavali protest at PM Department Converging outside the Prime Minister's Department under the scorching afternoon sun, the traders unfurled banners and chanted slogans, appealing for Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak to intervene in the matter.

The protest comes after weeks of negotiations with the Federal Territories and Urban Wellbeing Ministry failed to yield results.

The traders are upset that their Deepavali bazaar site had been moved from Jalan Tun Sambathan - the main Brickfields thoroughfare - to the inner street Jalan Berhala, which they say has adversely affected their business.

"There is only about two weeks left before the bazaar ends. Business in the new area is very bad.

“I will not be able to recoup my investment if they don't let us move back," said a frustrated garments trader Joseph Nathan.

He added that some traders had insisted on setting up their bazaar at the old site but had their tents confiscated by Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL).

NONE "Don't steal our things," they chanted while others held up placards that targeted Federal Territories and Urban Wellbeing Minister Raja Nong Chik ( left ) and his deputy M Saravanan.

Among the placards read: "The festivities of Deepavali has faded because of the minister and deputy minister" and "The minister and deputy minister had said that our people-friendly prime minister has no time for the rakyat's problem, is this true?".

Some of the traders also brought along the garments that they sell while others displayed their business licenses during the hour-long protest.

'Traders want status quo'

Later, the group's representatives submitted a memorandum to duty officer at the Prime Minister's Department and were promised that it will be conveyed to Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak's special officer for Indian affairs P Ravin.

Deepavali protest at PM Department Aside from relocation, the traders also are demanding for the status quo be restored for the granting of bazaar lots through local traders association instead of going directly to DBKL, a practice for the last nine years in Brickfields and 23 years in Masjid India.

According to Joseph, the relocation was imposed after safety and congestion complaints by permanent shops along Jalan Tun Sambathan and local associations for the blind.

However, after the controversy broke, he said the complainants had withdrawn their petition which affected some 120 traders in Brickfields.

Proving this, PKR activist for Indian affairs S Jayathas produced a letter by the Malaysian Association for the Blind, which showed that it was supportive of the bazaar as long as the traders took care not to obstruct activities of the blind.

"We hope by 10am tomorrow we can get an explanation, we want the prime minister to pressure the Federal Territories and Urban Wellbeing Ministry to solve this matter.

Deepavali protest at PM Department "There is only two weeks left, some traders have even taken loans from loan sharks for the bazaar. How can they pay back if they can't make their profit?" he said.

Jayathas ( left ) also questioned the RM50 million allocation for Indian entrepreneurs under Tabung Ekonomi Kumpulan Usaha Niaga (Tekun) announced in Budget 2013.

"Some of the traders had applied for the fund but were told to go through MIC, why is there a need for this?" said the former activist of Hindraf's political arm Human Rights Party.