Almost two weeks after flash floods hit the city, traders in Kuala Lumpur are still waiting to be compensated for their losses by the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL).

The atmosphere along Jalan Melayu is back to normal, with stalls and shops set up as usual. But traders are still disgruntled about the lack of attention given to them by the government.

Kuala Lumpur Traders' Association chairperson Syed Nor Azizul Syed Omar reiterated his disappointment today, adding that he had submitted reports on the traders' loss to Baitulmal Wilayah Persekutuan but had still not received any responses.

"I haven't received anything saying that the letter is being processed," he complained.

DBKL has also been unhelpful. Azizul said stall owners who had their city-owned stalls washed away in the floods have not been able to get replacements. "DBKL said they don't have the funding to give us new ones," he said. "Now the owners are using regular tables instead of stalls to display their wares."

No help from government

Azizul is also upset that city hall officials have not met officially to discuss the situation. "There has been no concern at all from the local authorities." he said.

It seems as if political parties instead are playing the major role in flood damage control. M Kannayan, an owner of a clothing shop on Jalan Melayu, said that representatives from MIC gave him loan forms to assist him with his damages. "We haven't heard from them yet after that, but we're hopeful."

PKR president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail also visited the affected areas last week.

S Shanmugam Chettiar, who owns the Lecthimy Narayana Store in Masjid Jamek, estimated his damages at around RM100, 000.

"My workers and I are still doing the cleaning-up, even two weeks after the floods," he said.

"I had thrown away some of the appliances which were damaged and selling apparels cheaper," he said.

Shanmugam also said that he was not hopeful of receiving compensation from the government. "Surely they would say it was caused by the floods (natural disaster).

However, he also filled up some forms with the hope of receiving some compensation but so far, there has been no response.

Power supply not re-connected

Meanwhile, Malaysiakini paid a second visit to the Wilayah Complex in Jalan Dang Wangi to review the damages and see how those affected are coping.

Up till today, two weeks after the floods, shopkeepers and helpers could still be seen cleaning up their premises.

A worker with a snooker centre in the complex lamented the same situation - no compensation, no help from anyone!

"Power supply has not been re-connected to the lower ground, so owners are unable to carry out renovation yet," he said.

"Most of the shops had shifted but we are still here as we don't want to lose regular customer," he told malaysiakini.

K Rajendran, owner of the famous Chakravartty Club, said he lost over RM600,000 in damages.

"No compensation given so far but I have to start renovation, most probably on Monday," he said.