PETALING JAYA: Poor infrastructure and repairs were among grouses aired by traders to PJ Selatan member of Parliament Hee Loy Sian during his visit to the Old Town wet market recently,

The traders pointed out that the market was poorly lit and that repeated appeals to the Petaling Jaya City Concil (MBPJ) to install more lights had fallen on deaf ears.

Foodstall owners also told the lawmaker the chairs and tables were in need of repairs due to wear and tear.

“The tables move around, like they’re doing a disco dance,” said trader Jacqueline Soong, referring to a few of the table tops which had been broken off at the legs.

Hee  (right) talking to traders at the market.

Fishmonger Lee Lian Shiau, 44, told Hee the drainage in the market needed upgrades to prevent stagnant water from accumulating on the floor.

She said that instead of using concrete slabs to cover the drains inside the wet market, MBPJ should replace it with grills.

Other traders said that business had fallen due to stiff competition from hypermarkets.

“I’m satisfied with the amenities, but I’m earning less as more customers prefer going to supermarkets,” said butcher Abdul Mahmood Shah.

However, Section 3 resident Arthur Monteiro said he still bought his groceries from the market, adding that most of the traders there had resisted increasing their prices.

The 76-year old former college lecturer said the produce sold there was fresher as well as being offered at cheaper prices.

Hee spent three hours at the city’s oldest wet market and visited the food court, dry goods section as well as the fish and poultry stalls.

“Over the last few months, I’ve received a report on the condition of the market.

“I’m here to listen and will bring the complaints from the traders to the MBPJ at the next full board meeting,” he said.

The lawmaker said the wet market, also known as Pasar Besar Jalan Othman, serves the Sections 2, 3 and 4 neigbourhoods.

Hee was accompanied by Old Town Petty Traders president Lee Heng Kuang and officers from MBPJ’s environmental health department.