SEREMBAN: The Seremban City Council (MBS) has denied claims that it mistreated poor petty traders by demolishing their stalls at Taman Rasah Jaya.
Seremban Mayor Datuk Masri Razali said the action was taken after a seven-day notice was issued, as the traders were found to have constructed permanent structures.
"Recently, a TikTok video titled 'Majlis Bandaraya Seremban: Jangan Musnahkan kehidupan Peniaga Miskin di Taman Rasah Jaya' went viral.
"We would like to clarify that the action was necessary as the traders had built permanent structures in a public area.
"The act of building permanent structures does not just prevent the public from using the space, but it also causes congestion and safety issues," he said in a statement today.
To address the issue, he said the council had, in 2022, provided a site for the traders near the existing location.
"Local petty traders can set up their makeshift stalls at the pop-up trader centres which are being advertised for them to occupy at any time.
"Among the sites available in the area are eight sites on Jalan RJ 6/1 and 6/2, and 10 sites at Taman Rasah Jaya near Pasar Rasah Jaya," he added.
Masri said for enquiries or complaints, the public could contact the Licensing and Entrepreneurial Development Department at 06-765 4333 or through the MBS Public Complaints Management System.