More than 100 Ampang Park traders today demonstrated against the demolishing of the shopping centre.

The demonstrators today carried placards bearing the words “Do not destroy the historic shopping centre” and “Save Ampang Park”, among others, while shouting “Hidup Ampang Park” (Long live Ampang Park).

The shopping centre, one of the country’s oldest, will be demolished to make way for the underground Ampang Park Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) station.

The shopping centre’s 253 strata owners have been given two choices; either they leave the premises for good, or leave for seven years until works on the underground MRT station are completed.

Ampang Park action committee member Dr Dzulkhaini Hussain said the building, which started operations in March 1973, should not be demolished as it was part of history.

“They asked us to leave for seven years. Where can we go to do business? This will only cripple our businesses.

“This building is also historical, we hope they will let us continue trading here as the building is still sturdy," he said.

Dzulkhaini, who has a dental clinic at the building, also queried why the Ampang Park LRT station was not closed instead of the shopping centre.

“Ampang Park is sturdy, it will not collapse as how the contractor thinks it would,” he said, pointing out that the LRT was built before this.

“Why would Ampang Park collapse? Is it because the land will turn soft?" he asked.

Dzulkhaini said the management of Ampang Park as well as representatives from MRT should provide more explanation on the matter.

He said the management should consider the traders’decision to remain at the shopping centre.

“They should not disturb our source of income,” he said.