A group of disgruntled hawkers have appealed to Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi for assistance after city planning activities in Johor Bahru severely affected their livelihood, leading one hawker to take his own life.

Twenty-two members of the Johor Bahru Pasar Bakti Hawkers' Action Committee submitted a memorandum to the premier at his office in Putrajaya yesterday.

The memorandum, which highlighted their plight since the food centre where they worked was relocated to another area, was received by Abdullah's political secretary Johari Baharom.

The hawkers - accompanied by DAP secretary-general Kerk Kim Hock (left), DAP Socialist Youth (Dapsy) secretary Anthony Loke and Johor Dapsy chief Dr Boo Cheng Hau - said they decided to seek the premier's assistance after their appeals to the Johor state authorities failed

According to the committee, a total of 102 hawkers were operating at the city's Jalan Ungku Puan food centre when it was moved from its central location to Pasar Bakti, formerly the Johor Bahru bus terminal.

"We were asked to move in August 2003 (but) the shift has cut down our business down by 90 percent because the new location is less strategic.

"The loss of income and the stress had caused one of our friends to commit suicide last November," said the committee.

Poor business

One of the main grouses of the hawkers was that although they had been promised a flow of customers at their new marketplace, the plans failed to materialise because of other factors.

"The city officials may make it a requirement for certain public buses to stop by at Pasar Bakti but so far, only very few passengers stay to eat or shop.

"Out of the 102 hawkers relocated, 62 have quit the area because of poor business," they claimed.

The hawkers were also unhappy that city planning officials are spending millions to renovate their old workplace into a park and open stage while ignoring the difficult circumstances faced by the relocated traders.

"We understand that the renovation project which is said to cost RM6.68 million is under the purview of the National Landscape Department of the Housing and Local Government Ministry.

"We are very disappointed that the ministry, the Johor government and the Johor Bahru City Council did not consider our livelihood when they made their plans," they said.

Furthermore, the hawkers were dissatisfied with the treatment they have received from the city officials despite them contributing for years to the city's economy and its tourist industry.

"For the past 50 years, we have been accused of dirtying the city centre. But we have instead sold delicious traditional fare to millions of people over the years. Our customers included locals as well as foreigners from many other countries.

"We hope the city officials will retain our old site and beautify the place to resemble tourist attractions in Kuala Lumpur such as the Central Market or Jalan Petaling," they added.

City officials were not available for comment.