Malacca Chief Minister Idris Haron ( below ) has clarified that the state executive council did not order Jonker Walk be closed down but merely reopened the roads previously closed to make way for the popular weekend night market.

NONE “There was confusion because my previous statement has been misinterpreted. The previous state executive council meeting has never ordered the businesses along the road at Jonker Walk to be closed down.

“I just ordered the roads previously closed every Saturday and Sunday to be reopened for traffic to avoid congestion in the city of Malacca,” he told Utusan Malaysia yesterday.

However, according to a letter sent to the Jonker Walk committee last Thursday, it clearly stated that hawkers are not allowed to set up stalls on the roads, or place their business tools around the area.

Idris was referring to the statement by DAP's Kesidang assemblyperson Chin Choong Seong which labeled the decision to shut down Jonker Walk as political retaliation against Chinese voters who backed the opposition in the May 5 general election.

NONE The decision will have affected some 200 hawkers, mostly of Chinese ethnicity, who set up their stalls at the closed roads every weekend, making the area a famous tourist attraction in the historic city.

Traders have threatened to proceed with their businesses on this Friday despite the state government’s directive.

Idris elaborated that the decision to reopen the roads was made after the state government received many complaints from the road users over the traffic congestion on various roads leading into the city every weekend.

“Some users alleged that it takes four hours to reach Malacca city from Ayer Keroh toll plaza,” he said.

Hence, he added the move is to observe how effective reopening of the roads at Jonker Walk would be in alleviating the congestion around Banda Hilir.

According to Nanyang Siang Pau , the state executive council will be reviewing its decision in today's meeting.

Jonker Walk committee deputy chairperson Gan Tian Loo said during a press conference yesterday at Malacca that he has met Idris on Monday and submitted a memorandum to protest against the decision.

However, the former state exco said he had been disappointed and regretted that Idris' stance was firm.

Gan added that the committee will launch a protest movement on Friday if the state government refused to budge.

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