'Pasar Malams' In KL May Cease To Exist Within The Next 10 Years
Still need my apam balik uncle. :(
By Tamara Jayne — 02 Aug 2024, 11:50 AM
KL night markets, or pasar malams, may disappear within the next 10 years, according to Kuala Lumpur Night Market Management Organisation (PMKL)
PMKL's president, Gulam Muszaffar Gulam Mustakim, revealed that business at night markets has dropped by 50% within the last six months alone, reported The Malaysian Insight.
PMKL manages 85 night markets all over KL.
Muszaffar shared that traders have been struggling post-pandemic, as fewer people have been visiting pasar malams and have been more frugal with their spending.
Other reasons include the access to food delivery services and development projects that have forced night markets out of the locations where they have been operating for years
Muszaffar added that at least 12 night markets have closed down since last year.
He cited the rise in prices of goods and services, as well as the high cost of living, as factors that have also affected vendors.
He urged authorities to allow night markets to continue operating despite nearby development projects, emphasising that drastic measures need to be taken to keep night markets in operation.
"If a pasar malam is relocated to a new area, the response from the people won't be the same. After a few months, when the traders see there is no business, they will close down," he was quoted as saying by The Vibes.
Muszaffar urged authorities to upgrade and maintain these original sites.
