MCA president Dr Chua Soi Lek has urged the Malacca government and the Malacca Historic City Council to review its decision to re-open Jonker Street to traffic which would inevitably result in the closing of the Jonker Walk attraction.

He said during the early days, DAP objected to the Jonker Walk attraction but local MCA leaders and non-governmental organisations persisted with it until it became a success.

“Through the hard work of local MCA leaders and the support of the local council and state government, Jonker Street is now a success story of a well-known tourism product of Malacca and Malaysia.

“We suggest that the Malacca government and local council identify the root cause of  the traffic congestion and find alternatives to address the issue (rather than closing the attraction).”

It was reported today that new Malacca Chief Minister Idris Haron had clarified that the Jonker Walk attraction is not closed, but the street is to be reopened to alleviate traffic congestion.

The move received criticism from Kesidang DAP assemblyperson and local trader, Chin Choong Seong, who claimed that this was political retaliation as a result of claims of a Chinese tsunami.

Chua said he had the opportunity to see the Jonker Walk and launch three tourism events before Chinese New Year, and the response from locals and tourists had been overwhelming.

“I believe that the Jonker Walk is one of the main contributors to the state’s tourism and income.”

The MCA president said he agreed that keeping the street off-limits to vehicles had caused serious traffic congestion and inconvenience to the area, but the move will affect the state’s tourism and livelihood of the traders who rely on tourism.  

He noted that the MCA is handicapped in such a scenario with no one from the party in the Malacca state exco line-up (as a result of the party directive of party members not taking up governmental position).

However, he said the party could only do its best to facilitate the authorities for a win-win resolution.

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