The Petaling Jaya City Council’s (MBPJ) clarification on Oct 18, 2015 on the Sungai Way Deepavali bazaar relocation only show the local council’s internal discussion and minutes. All these are under the Official Secrets Act. The traders and residents have to file an application under the Freedom of Information Enactment to the local council for a copy.

The question is when did the local council, city councillors, assemblypersons or MP inform the stakeholders, the residents and traders in particular, of the proposed relocation? May we have a date if this was done? Perhaps, we also have to apply under the Freedom of Information Enactment for this.

The information that in 2015 the then-mayor during a walkabout informed the traders is to me quite an amusement. Were the traders doing business or obtaining instructions from the datuk bandar on the future plans for the next year’s bazaar? Even if this is true, then why was there no follow-up for the rest of the 365 days on this? I, mean meetings, discussions, briefings and written instructions with the stakeholders, the residents and traders in particular.

The letter from K Saminathan, chairperson of the Sungai Way Traders Association on June 8, 2015 only shows that the trader wanted to remain in the same place for 2015 and thereafter. The traders have been there for over 10 years? Why move them?

The question remains - was there a reply from MBPJ to the letter? Maybe there was some MBPJ internal discussions and the wind would have transmitted the message to the traders, or is it that now MBPJ’s proposal has been put up on banners, to be taken as the law and enforced by the assemblyperson and MP.

We, by this, I mean the PJ residents, are aware! We are aware of a lot of things. What is required is meetings, dialogs, being briefed, being consulted, being given written notices, that is what matters. Was this done?

There are other areas in Petaling Jaya with traffic problems, residents and traders’ complaints. The SS2 and Section 17 street market is open 365 days a year. Any change to that, why the double standard? The Section 19 durian stall, lots of residents’ complained, any action by the assemblyperson or MP? There was a durian treat for MBPJ staff some time ago, duly photographed and published. This time, would the Deepavali bazaar traders provide murukku?

The traders only want their rightful place. We see clearly the double standards, enforcement should be equal to all. Show us the MBPJ by-law and we will show the breach by you, MBPJ, assemblyperson and MP.

Be enlightened, it’s the festival of lights, Deepavali.