Five years after 'shut down Jonker Walk' saga, traders brace for GE14

GE14 | Almost five years ago, newly-minted Malacca Chief Minister Idris Haron threatened to shut down Jonker Walk, a world-renowned tourist attraction, in an apparent act of political retaliation after voters delivered BN its worst electoral performance in history.

Following Putrajaya's intervention, Idris later denied ever wanting to do so, claiming that he only wanted to reopen Jonker Street to weekend traffic, which despite the semantics, would make it impossible for the night market to operate.

Idris' outburst was not so much about the opposition capturing Kota Melaka in the 13th general election, the federal constituency in which Jonker Walk is located, which had always been a DAP stronghold.

It was the defeat of his mentor and then outgoing Malacca chief minister Mohd Ali Mohd Rustam, who lost in the neighbouring parliamentary constituency of Bukit Katil (renamed Hang Tuah Jaya for GE14), which was his birthplace - and which had never fallen to the opposition before.

What followed were chaotic scenes at Jonker Walk, with both DAP and MCA rallying in defence of the traders there.

With the 14th general election expected to be called within weeks, Malaysiakini spoke to Jonker Walk traders about their thoughts on what happened five years ago and their expectations at the coming election...