Pasar Keramat traders instigated not to move - Tengku Adnan

He said these masterminds, made up of traders and outsiders, sowed hatred among about 200 traders to stop them from moving to Keramat Mall, alleging that the complex had little visitors.

"I know the culprits. They (masterminds) have an agenda to instigate the traders. They have eight or nine lots each. They will only get one, when the ministry conducts a rationalisation exercise.

"I warn them not to play with fire. I am firm about giving comfort to traders and the public, and looking after cleanliness," he said when asked to comment on the protest of traders at the Keramat Market against shifting to Keramat Mall.

Tengku Adnan told this to reporters after opening the Federal Territories- level People's Feast 1 and Putrajaya Family Day at the Mokhtar Dahari Futsal Complex here today.

On Thursday, about 320 traders at the Keramat Market, protesting against moving to Keramat Mall, appealed to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak to intervene to solve the crisis.

The mostly Malay traders, who had inherited the business activities at the Keramat Market since 38 years ago, were not willing to be moved to Keramat Mall, which was regarded as 'dead', as it lacked public response.

Tengku Adnan clarified that the traders were asked to move to Keramat Mall because the Keramat Market had become one of the biggest rat-breeding nests, other that the Chow Kit and Pudu markets

On the claim of lack of public response, he said the ministry had provided a mini Urban Transformation Centre to make it viable for traders.

"Initially, the traders claimed the Keramat Mall was too modern. As such, Kuala Lumpur City Hall agreed to develop the site as a commercial centre as they had demanded. But they are still stubborn," he clarified.

Other than siting traders, Tengku Adnan said the ministry would also build affordable homes at RM188,000 a unit and comfort 'zone houses' for the children of the traders working in the service industries at a rental of RM50 or RM70 each a month.

"I want to solve this matter this year. I want to give comfort and cleanliness to every youth in the city against being affected by rat-borne diseases.

On the Federal Territory People's Feast 1, Tengku Adnan said the annual programme was a gotong-royong by the community in Putrajaya as a sign of gratitude for the development they enjoyed.

"The programme is also a medium to boost understanding, unity and friendship among the communities in the Federal Territory with numerous programmes such as aerobics, variety games and cooking the gotong royong way for the feast," he said.

More than 3,000 residents of Putrajaya and their families attended the event.