Close Jonker Walk to vehicles - Nazri

Tourism and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz wants the entire stretch of the Jonker Walk night market to be closed off to traffic.

He said allowing vehicles to go through the area would only increase congestion as they would be sharing the road with tourists.

"It's called Jonker Walk so pedestrians walk not only was on sidewalks, but also on the road itself.

"There's no reason to rethink this after 13 years. Jonker Walk has been around for 13 years and it's not going to be beneficial if it's open to vehicles. It's not going to be Jonker Walk anymore, it's going to be Jonker highway," he said.

He was speaking to reporters after launching the 1Malaysia Mega Sale Carnival and 1Malaysia Unified Sale 2013 at Panggung Sari, Craft Complex, here today.

Yesterday, the Melaka state government decided to open Jonker Walk to traffic starting today in efforts to help ease congestion in the town area, especially on weekends, following discontentment among various quarters including tourists and locals.

It is reported that opening the road would not affect existing stalls which open starting 6pm to midnight from Friday to Sunday.

However, Mohamed Nazri said he hoped the decision would be reviewed.

"I've met with the Melaka Chief Minister (Datuk Idris Haron), he said it was a trial run as there were requests for the roads to be open to traffic.

"However, after four weeks (of trial period), I hope it will be closed. Jonker Walk is a Melaka must-see. Don't play the blame game if tourists no longer visit Jonker Walk after it is open to traffic," he said.

Also present at the launch were Domestic Trade, Cooperative and Consumerism (MDTCC) Deputy Minister Datuk Ahmad Bashah Md Hanipah, Tourism and Culture Ministry Secretary-General Datuk Ong Hong Peng, MDTCC Secretary-General Datuk Basaruddin Sadali and Tourism Malaysia Director-General Datuk Mirza Mohammad Taiyab.