MELAKA, June 27- About 300 traders in Jonker Walk could continue their business as usual every weekend, said Melaka Chief Minister Datuk Idris Haron (photo) yesterday.
Idris said the order to shut down the stalls which were mainly selling souvenirs was just a misunderstanding but the issue only involved traffic flow in the area.
He said the road around Jonker Walk was reopened to vehicles and currently closed from 6pm to midnight every Friday to Sunday to ease the traffic congestion.
“The order to open this road came following complaints from the public and tourists about the traffic congestion in the area, especially on weekends,” he told Bernama, here, today.
Idris said the issue was deliberately played up by certain quarters forpolitical mileage.
Asked if the opening of the road made it difficult for visitors and traders, he said, “I do not think so”.
For example, he said, in Oxford City, England, traders were doing business on the road sidewalks while vehicles were allowed to pass through the area.
The Kwong Wah Daily newspaper on Monday quoted Idris as saying that the state executive council meeting on June 12 decided to close the night market to meet the wishes of the people.
– BERNAMA
