One of the most iconic sights in Malaysia is the night market, fondly known as ‘pasar malams’, where locals and tourists can have a taste of culinary delights at affordable prices.
However, a night market association is raising warning bells about the future concerning pasar malams in KL, where it predicted that it will most likely fade into obscurity within the next decade if nothing is done to address current issues plaguing the industry.
PMKL: Pasar malams in KL might vanish within the next 10 years
Speaking to The Vibes, Pertubuhan Pengurusan Pasar Malam Kuala Lumpur (PMKL) president, Gulam Muszaffar Gulam Mustakim said night market operators saw business plunge 50% within the last six months.
“Previously, traders could bring home RM3,000 per month, but now it has dropped to RM1,500. Moreover, they are living in KL where the cost of living is high.
“Since last year, about 12 pasar malams have closed down. We wouldn’t be surprised if more close down in the near future.”
Muszaffar attributed the poor sales to increasingly tight competition with e-hailing food delivery services and Malaysians spending more frugally, especially after the Covid-19 pandemic.
I have to be honest, maybe in 10 years, we won’t see any more pasar malam because the attraction is not there anymore and the gig economy might supersede our businesses,” he lamented.
Muszaffar also blamed the lack of parking spaces and traffic congestion for the steady decline of foot traffic to pasar malams, adding that up and coming development projects in KL have exacerbated the problem by forcing traders to relocate to a new location.
“If a pasar malam is relocated to a new area, the response from the people won’t be the same. After a few months, when the traders see there is no business, they will close down.
“If there is no policy to upgrade pasar malam by the authorities, it will be difficult for traders. We urge the authorities to upgrade and maintain these original sites,” he said.
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