Let Petaling Street reflect Chinese identity, says MCA Youth

Petaling Street should be redeveloped to reflect the identity of the Chinese community in terms of business and culture to attract more foreign tourists to visit the area. MCA Youth chief senator Chong Sin Woon said such efforts were necessary as Petaling Street was a tourist attraction known as "China Town", reflecting the culture of the Chinese community in the country. "Besides being a tourist attraction, Petaling Street is also one of the historical sites which witnessed the coming of the Chinese community to Malaya more than 200 years ago. "Every year, any festival concerning the Chinese community will be celebrated here because almost 100% of the businessmen and residents in Petaling Street are Chinese," he said at a media conference after attending a Chinese New Year Open House gathering organised by the Kuala Lumpur Petty Traders Association in Petaling Street today. Chong said efforts by non-governmental organisations and Chinese residents around Petaling Street to preserve the socio-culture of the race would not have been adequate without support from the government. "Relevant agencies such as the Tourism and Culture Ministry and the Ministry of Federal Territories should focus on the development of facilities around Petaling Street to boost the tourism industry and thus strengthen the national economy," he said. Meanwhile, Kuala Lumpur Petty Traders Association president Datuk Ang Say Tee said the association was endeavouring to reduce the number of stalls owned by locals but run fully by foreigners. "In order to bring back the identity of Petaling Street as 'China Town', we are collaborating with the local authorities such as Kuala Lumpur City Hall and the police to overcome the problems of 'Ali Baba' stalls controlled by foreign nationals," he said. Ang said so far, 773 hawkers and traders in Petaling Street were registered with him and 100% of them were from the Chinese community. – Bernama, February 17, 2016.]]>