3 hours Ago By Nurul Hidayah Bahaudin
KUALA LUMPUR: An association claimed today that half of the 216 Lorong Tuanku Abdul Rahman bazaar lots here have been transferred to a cartel.Federal Territory Bumiputera Traders and Hawkers Association (PPPBWPKL) chairman Datuk Seri Rosli Sulaiman said his members had detected four "brokers" acting on the cartel's behalf, selling each lot for between RM7,000 and RM12,000."Whast we have found recently is that tthere are traders selling their lots to a cartel, and then the cartel turns around and sells it to other traders for up to double the price.
"This is because the traders want to take the easy way out to make quick profits by selling the lots to the cartel," he told reporters.Rosli said the association has been informed that Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) had issued summonses to traders for not being present at the site."The cartel has been evading action because they use 'assistant' to run the stalls, so when the authorities come around for inspections, it is only the assistants who are there.
"We want DBKL to take sterner action by closing down the operations of stalls if the licence holder is not around and operating the stalls three times during inspections."Such actions could possibly put an end to the activities of this cartel," he said.Rosli said PPPBWPKL had lodged reports with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission and police in order to expose the cartel's activities.
He called for the department within DBKL which manages licensing for traders should be revamped."People think (PPPBWPKL) is involved in such cartels, and this has ruined out image."This makes it difficult for us to carry out our responsibilities of looking after the trading community.
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