Malacca Jonker Street close shop

[xtemujin]

Nazri urges Malacca to reconsider decision to close Jonker Street night market
By MARTIN CARVALHO | 25 June 2013 Tuesday | 4:42:00 PM MYT

KUALA LUMPUR: The Tourism Ministry has urged the Malacca state government to reconsider its decision to close the Jonker Street night market, in light of its significance to the tourism industry.

"I would certainly want to see Jonker Street remain," said its minister Datuk Seri Mohd Nazri Abdul Aziz.

"What is Malacca without tourism?" Nazri was speaking to reporters after attending the Yang di-Pertuan Agong's royal address to mark the start of the 13th Parliament on Tuesday.

He was asked to comment on the recent announcement by Malacca Chief Minister Datuk Wira Idris Haron on the closing of the Jonker Street night market.

The night market, which operates on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, comprises some 300 traders and has become an international tourist attraction since its opening 13 years ago.

Nazri said he had conveyed his views to Idris at a meeting here Tuesday and was informed that the decision to open the street on weekends was due to the numerous complains over traffic congestion in the area.

"I was told by Idris that closing the night market would be done for only a month to allow feedback on traffic woes in the area," he said, adding that Idris was requested to reconsider the move.

On Sunday, some 100 traders from the affected night market held a walkabout protest along Jonker Street to voice their unhappiness at the state's decision.

Nazri urges Malacca to reconsider decision to close Jonker Street night market - Nation | The Star Online

 

[Sion]

Opposition: Closure of Jonker Walk is political retaliation - Malaysiakini

 

[Evilmerlin]

That's just bloody ridiculous. If you close Jonker Street, why the hell would people still go to Malacca?!

 

[Sion]

That's just bloody ridiculous. If you close Jonker Street, why the hell would people still go to Malacca?!

So that they can tell people they have been to "Malacca". :bsmilie:

 

[ricohflex]

What good news for Singapore. Malacca state government wants to kill their own tourism industry. Hopefully they will do it to their Malacca private hospital industry too.

 

[King Tiger]

And so called "Truly Asia".

 

[enzeru21]

maybe must plan a trip to go there before it officially closes! the last time i went up there was about 2 years ago.... and i missed the weekend market because it was a weekday trip. =(

 

[kei1309]

Idris reminded that it was DAP that protested against the state government's decision to cordon off Jonker Street from road users, to make way for the night market, when the idea was first mooted.

That time, he said, the DAP slammed the state government for sacrificing the interests of road users to benefit only some 200 hawkers.

Idris: We hope the people will be happy

"Now, we see most of the Malacca residents fully supporting DAP over MCA candidates, who have been serving them. Hence, we decided to cancel the night market and we hope they will be happy," the daily quotes Idris as saying.

He admitted that MCA's electoral defeat in the state prompted the closure of Jonker Walk.

He forgot that times have changed. 13 years ago and now are different times. back then, traffic congestion was an issue. but now, people welcome the night market.

Plus it took the local government 13 years to take action on what the people wanted? shows how much they care.

plus outright admitting that he's doing it as a revenge tactic against the DAP, is really retarded.

 

[Sion]

After Jonker Street is close it should be renamed as Jalan Wira Haron. :bsmilie: