Press Statement 
by DAP Penang chairman and MP for Tanjung Chow Kon Yeow 
on Wednesday, 12 June 2002
in Penang

DAP calls on Penang Island Municipal Council not to bulldoze Little India project

Yesterday afternoon, during my walkabout to the Market Street area, many traders of the Little India enclave have voiced their objections to the proposed RM7.8 million upgrading and beautification project. 

They are not receptive to the idea of converting Market Street into a pedestrian mall where no traffic would be allowed into the street.

Many traders felt that the beautification project was not practical and would affect their businesses.

The DAP therefore want the Penang Island Municipal Council to consider the traders' objection before bulldozing the Little India project.

The Little India have been identified as a historic and cultural town to attract tourists but it must not be at the expenses of local traders and residents.

We are also unhappy that the City Council had already made up their minds on the Little India project before consulting the affected traders.

The project would reduce 40 per cent of the parking lots in the Little India area and yet the Council has no definite plan to increase parking bays in the area.

The Council has been talking about building a multi-storey car park in Victoria Street for the last 15 years but nothing has materialized yet.

We hope that the Council would listen to the traders' objections and not bulldoze the Little India project.