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CITY Hall has issued a total of RM1,600 in compounds to two durian-sellers for operating illegally in the Kepayan area, following feedback about the traffic hazards posed by their stalls, as well as their customers’ vehicles.

A rate-payer, living in the Kepayan Ridge area, said the former structures made it difficult for drivers to make a U-turn at the section of Jalan Pintas near his neighbourhood. 

In the case of the automobiles parked haphazardly in the vicinity of the stalls, he said, they created an unnecessary congestion on the road as motorists had to slow down to go round these obstructions.

He said there had been instances where lorries had stopped in one of the two lanes on the stretch just to replenish the stock of durians being sold at these stalls

He was under the impression that road-users might be spared all this inconvenience – not to mention be put at ease, safety wise – if only the agency was doing more to clampdown on the hawking activities taking place along the busy stretch. 

The individual provided Hotline with the pertinent details regarding his grievance, including the times and dates when he had spotted the stalls along Jalan Pintas over the past few weeks. This information was forwarded to City Hall.

A spokesman for its Licensing Department (LD) said an inspection was made of stretch, a day after the agency was contacted by the media.

He said a 16-strong team, comprising LD personnel, as well as their peers from City Hall’s Enforcement Department, was mobilised for this effort.

“The pair of durian-sellers was found to be operating without our permission at around 5.37pm,” he said.  “The officers proceeded to confiscate the vendors’ wares. 

“They dismantled the canvas stalls and removed the items underneath, including the baskets of fruits being sold at the time and foldable tables and chairs.”

He said the vendors’ belongings were loaded onto the back of the truck which had been deployed with the team.

“Both hawkers were given a RM500 compound each on the spot. This is the maximum penalty which can be issued under City Hall’s Hawkers By-laws 1966 (Amendment 2008).

“The vendors will individually have to settle a further penalty of RM300, before their belongings can be returned to them.”

The spokesman refuted the suggestion that that City had turned a blind eye to the goings-on along Jalan Pintas.

“We have compounded errant hawkers caught here and confiscated their goods on multiple occasions previously. However, the wrong-doers don’t seem to be getting the message.”

He said the agency was facing an up-hill task dealing with these individuals.

“We close them down, but these vendors are back to their old tricks a day or two later, after our staff has left. 

“They open their stalls after office hours, till as late as 1 or 2am, and even on Saturdays and Sundays, when our personnel are off duty.”

The spokesman warned that legal action could be taken against repeat offenders, with a fine for as much as RM5,000 served to them if they were found guilty in court.

“This is the worst case scenario. However, we are presently looking into a less extreme alternative. 

“We are planning to have the durian-sellers shifted enmasse [‘secara berkelompok’] away from road-shoulders around our rating-area to more suitable venues.” 

He said this matter was raised during one of City Hall’s more recent management meetings.

“We are in the process of putting together a list of possible sites where the hawkers might be relocated. 

“One idea under consideration is to move these hawkers to the towns nearby, where commercial activities are taking place.”

While trying to finalise these details, the spokesman said the Licensing officers would continue to keep an eye out for illegal hawkers operating around the State Capital, including on Jalan Pintas.