KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 24 — While business premises around the sinkhole site in Jalan Masjid India remain open and operational, the area appears deserted due to a lack of visitors.
A Bernama survey at Wisma Yakin, a business centre located just ten metres from the incident location and stores beneath the Malayan Mansion flats, found a significant decline in footfall.
A trader who wished to be known as Asmawati, 52, said the number of visitors to her shop, located just 15 metres from the scene, had dropped by 90 per cent compared to yesterday afternoon after the incident occurred.
“There is hardly anyone passing by our shop, possibly because they’re worried.
“We will continue operating, but if we are told to close for safety reasons, we have no choice but to comply, though this is our daily source of income,” she said, adding that sinkholes have occurred in the area before.
Meanwhile, songkok trader Rizal Jasni, 64, who has been doing business at Wisma Yakin since 1980, considers the sinkhole incident a reminder for the public to always exercise caution when visiting the area.
He said the rapid development around Masjid India and Jalan Tun Perak could be a contributing factor to the disaster.
“Incidents like this have a significant impact on traders, especially after the Covid-19 pandemic.
“We hope the authorities will find a way to prevent similar incidents from recurring and conduct regular monitoring to ensure public safety, especially in the Jalan Masjid India area,” Rizal said.
Yesterday, it was reported that a 48-year-old tourist from India named Vijayaletchumy is feared to have been buried after falling into the eight-metre-deep sinkhole at 8.22am.
— Bernama
