Jonker Walk traders who came to set up their stalls last night in defiance of the Malacca government's move to reopen Jonker Street to traffic were able to do so because parties opposing the state's move had cordoned off the road.

The Malacca government's plan has thrown traders like Su Eng, 64, and her 65-year-old husband into uncertainty about their fate.

The couple and some 300 other traders were able to open their stalls along Jonker Walk after leaders and members of both MCA and DAP turned up, opposing the closure of Jonker Walk by cordoning off the road.

Su Eng jonker hawker However, political stunts like this will not last forever and with the political parties having left the scene, the couple now face an uncertain future.

Hunched over on small plastic chairs next to their drink stall, Su ( above, left ) reflected: "We have been here, right from the start, for 13 years.

"Back then, we had nothing. There was no electricity, we had to provide our own battery lights and it was very tough.

"But we pushed through. We have been here every weekend... every weekend. I don't think we missed even one."

She turns to look at her husband, with pride in her face, and he nods his head in affirmation.

NONE "The government has been very supportive (of the stalls). Now we have electricity, they have built this market up," and she adds, "now that the market is stable, they want to tear it down," as her voice begins to crack.

"This market is very famous, people come here, from all over the world... it will be sad to see it go," Su's husband adds.

After receiving flank from the people for ordering the closure of the Jonker Walk night market, the Malacca government said the traders could continue with their businesses there, but insisted that the road would be opened to traffic.

Su maintains that the market will not operate successfully if the road is open to vehicular traffic. "It isn't possible. It will be very dangerous for the tourists with the traffic. On the footpath, this market will be a failure."

Her views on the future of the market, with the road open open to traffic, are shared by fruit juice seller Steven Lee, 57, who said, "Things have to be clean and convenient for the tourists. With the traffic, it will be dangerous, it simply won't work."

‘Traffic congestion excuse not convincing'

The traders too hold similar views on the Malacca government move that have already been expressed by many others, including Tourism Minister Nazri Abdul Aziz and politicians from the opposition parties.

Steven Lee jonker hawker "I think the move is political," said Lee ( left ). "They just say it is for the traffic, but the traffic was the same last year and it hasn't changed now. Just after the general election, they want to close it (the market)... traffic congestion is not true."

Su shares the same view. "I don't believe that traffic thing for a minute. I don't believe Idris (Haron, the Malacca chief minister). He has to stand down." And she adds with a smile, "Or change his view."

Former Malacca chief minister Ali Rustam made way for Idris, his protege, to head the state as he moved on to federal politics. However, Ali suffered a shock defeat in the parliamentary seat of Bukit Katil.

Samon Lin jonker hawker Samon Lin ( right ) is a shy sixteen-year-old boy who has been working at a shop for two months, selling lighting.

"If the market closes, I will lose my job. I'm not sure how easy it will be for me to find another job," Lee said, adding that this was his first job.

All the Jonker Walk traders have the same concerns over the future of the weekend night market.

Bobby Hong, 57, runs a small jewellery outlet with his wife Seete, is furious with the move to open Jonker Street to traffic.

"This is Chinese tradition, this is Chinese culture, they are trying to destroy it. We have been here for 10 years and we intend to stay put," Hong said, forcefully.

The Jonker Walk market was in full swing last night.

What after this? For now at least, it looks like the rest of the traders are with Hong in wanting to stay put. Unless some things force them out.