This document summarizes a study conducted on the trading activities in Petaling Street, Kuala Lumpur. The study involved observing the area, interviewing locals and visitors through questionnaires, and reviewing existing literature. It was found that there are various illegal activities like trading of pirated goods, prostitution, and drug dealing. While some activities like selling counterfeit items are tolerated by locals and visitors, activities like prostitution and drug dealing are seen as immoral. The illegal activities have negatively impacted original businesses in Petaling Street over time. Locals interviewed had mixed views about the issues and future of Petaling Street.

3. Picture of a fortune teller operating outside of the law

4. Art director: Sia Hong Jie
Project Manager: Koh Sung Jie
Editor: Evelin Devina, Ghaida Rashad
Graphic Designer: Ricco Soh Zheng Wei, Sham Zhen Wen
Photographer: Kan Sook San, Ong Seng Peng
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5. Open secret
The painting of the memory
on the wet vessel
of a place is continually
and beautifully polished by time.
Brushes of dark strokes
and a few bumps as parts of the piece.
Supporting the community, accepted as one.
Often ignored
but not forgotten.

6. 目
錄
4.
12.
30.
38.

7. Content
Introduction
Poetic Interpretation
Parameter servey
Conclusion

8. 前
言

9. introduction

10. Laws are made to maintain the
stability of communities. The
line is drawn with many reasoning,
be it to the advantage of majority,
to support what is considered
‘good’ by most, is believed to
maintain the balance of people,
etc. Still it won’t satisfy the need
of every single individual on earth.
There are parties whose definition
of ‘good’ is different, whose faith
to their belief is stronger than the
law, may be who need to go out
of bounds to survive. Likewise,
the two sides of the same coin,
the supporting and opposing
parties towards the order will exist
side by side.
People who do accordingly
to the law become the good
people whilst the ones who go
beyond the line are considered a
disturbance, but both have their
own role in this world. They have
their own idea and reasons of the
‘right’ thing to do. In this paper,
our team took the pulse of the
balance of order that had been
built in a particular community:
Petaling Street. Being a tourist
spot for its trading activities for
visitors and infamous for the area
with law unto themselves, we
studied into the trading activities
happening in the area. It’s a
common knowledge that not all of
the businesses are above board.
Hence, the research is to throw
some light on how the disorderly
trading conducts in Petaling
Street came to exist. The price to
pay for such activities affects the
economy, culture, and life of the
residents, thus we are to look into
the matters as well.
Introduction
前
言

11. 9
In the attempt to conduct a
proper documentation and
analysis of Petaling Street, some
measures were taken to collect
the necessary information. A
direct exposure to the place is
a necessity to get the firsthand
information.
The site was observed and
explored to bring light to the study.
Drifting around with purpose
around the area in attempt to get
the idea of its memory and present
condition. Therefore, individual
and personal perceptions can
be generated. Local and foreign
visitors who came temporarily;
and business owners who make
their life out of the activity have
their own particular attitude
towards the place and activities
happening around them.
Hence, quantitative measures in
form of questionnaires were taken
from the different user party to
achieve specific data:
The residents living their life or
making their life from the place are
the personification of the land’s
soul. Thus, a direct connection
with the people will give important
perspective and answers to the
study, providing the memory
which outsiders won’t see.
Visitors who help to make the
place alive and happening are
not to be forgotten as another
important factor to get the drift of
the spirit’s embodiment, as how
the outsider sees the community.
Both factors are interconnected
to each other. Lastly, existing data
and literature information are to
be reviewed as another reference
in the study.

12. There are different types of illegal
activities happening at Petaling
Street. The most common are
the trading of pirated and stolen
goods from Pasar Karat, the
brothels’ prostitution activities,
and the drug dealing business.
Although they are all illegal and
immoral, people have accepted
the fact and entirely legalized
those exposed on street levels
but find those hidden extremely
corrupt.
For one reason, people in Petaling
Street are exposed to these
markets daily and it is within
easy reach that it quickly became
part of the norm. Moreover, the
majority benefit from the illegal
goods and therefore they legalize
it as it is towards their own favor.
Hence at the end of the day,
both parties (the sellers and the
costumers) are pleased. On the
other hand, the brothels and the
drug dealing business are more
sensitive issues encountered
which are considered sinful and
immoral because of the cultural
and religious values of the majority.
Therefore, they are rejected and
considered completely criminal.
However, a working party in these
“black activities” had completely
accepted these acts as it may be
seen as the only possible way to
secure their income.
Since Petaling Street is located
in the heart of Kuala Lumpur,
the excessive amount of
people encourages diverse job
opportunities, despite it being
legal or illegal, moral or immoral.
These businesses, like the
counterfeit and stolen goods that
have been running on the site
for so many years have become
the main attraction to Petaling
Street. Although the counterfeit
goods are generally considered
illegal, this kind of trade is globally
famous that in most cases, it is
no longer considered as illegal.
It has flourished Petaling Street
more than the legal trades that
runs on the site. Which on the
other hand, has stolen the original
settlers’ income that has been
run by generations and invaded
the original essence of the site,
which was once known as the
food haven.
According to one of the roast
duck stall owners, the business
has changed, nowadays, it’s only
old people who come to buy or
their children, only for nostalgic
sake. On the other hand, the
brothels and drug dealing that
occur at the hidden lane of the
site is what set a corrupt image
and increase the crime rate of
the site. Although based on
the interviews conducted this
前
言

13. 11
seem to be affecting the visitors
more than the locals. In fact, the
locals seem to be numb to the
whole image that they don’t find
it threatening anymore. However,
from some of the visitors’ point of
view, these activities repel them
from the site where they do not
feel secure strolling around the
site or visiting the site at all. But to
other visitors, this elusive image
of the site, where it is dilapidated
and broken at some parts but
boost with vibrancy on the other,
creates curiosity to explore more
of the site.

14. 印
象

15. Poetic
Interpretation

17. 15
Looking back at how hard the original
Chinese people worked
to start and build Petaling Street
with the pride of their ethnic identity,
the spirit and culture
seem to have been fading away.
Aside of the big, strong entrance gate
as the remembrance of the former glory
and some small footmarks left,
the place seems to have lost its way
in the globalization flow.
Who to blame when people
are just trying to scratch some pennies from
the evergrowing desire of other people?
Still, what about the sleepless nights, effort,
and time invested in a product to build its
trademark identity,
only to be stolen later on?
1 Poetic interpretation

18. In an attempt to get the best in their life,
people are trying to involve the confidence
and help from something
that they can’t understand with their mind
alone.
A new hope, guidance, relief, taking every
chance they can have to peek at the future,
the time and events which are yet to come.
People are not fond of
unfavoured surprises.
印
象

19. 17
In the middle of the hustle
and bustle of the market,
some people are lying around
in their small, obscure bubble.
Asking for some fortune and mercy
from the fast-paced, ignorant world.
Passing yet another day.
Making a living from the nature,
the ‘Amak’
mediates the naturerichness to the people.
In faithfulness
delivering the treasure of the land
becomes accessible to anyone,
giving some smiles to families
and new strength to continue on
with life.

20. Where are the goods originated from?
Not something the community
would like to consider in their mind
so long the trade business is profitable to
them,
both sellers and customers
Visitors are not at fault of
taking interest in
pirated products.
Content with their own life
within their financial capability,
help the owners to make their living.
Yet,
is it just for the creator
and inventor of such branding?
印
象

21. 19

22. 印
象
A humble living of a meat seller
in a low profile old market.
Hidden from the skim of the eyes,
the small alley hidden by the street
creates a life capsule of unchanging
lifestyle of the people
from old times.

23. 21
Signboards become silent, surviving
witness of the history and exhibit mute
explanations about the soul of the place
at present.
1 Poetic interpretation

24. 印
象
An open secret is allowed to exist because
people turn a blind eye against it. Even
when the signs clearly say“No counterfeit
products allowed”,the merchants persist.
The customers engage the sellers and
provide them business. Even more, the
present police officer also turns a blind
eye and accepted the trade as natural
part of Petaling Street.

25. 23

27. 25
The doctrine of caveat emptor would
apply in the bargaining happened in
Pasar Karat more than Petaling Street.
Residing next to Petaling Street, it
becomes an alternative for locals who
searched for goods as cheap as chips.
Interests grown within the people are
then suppressing the authentic products
and shops. Faces of foreigners keep
replacing the local Chinese community.
However, they do contribute to the
economy by maintaining the working
sector, making this situation
a dilemma of focus between the
conservation of culture and heritage and
a need for working force.
1 Poetic interpretation

28. The degradation of the place
leads to the degradation
of the activities carried out.
The young generation has lost interest
in the place and another party
replaces them by illegal
and “seemingly” legal activities.
What they are doing might not seem
right, but nonetheless they do it openly,
for all to see.
This is the Open Secret.
印
象

29. 27

30. A fast glance at the street shows the
gleaming and full of colour busy market
daily life, passing by the darkness
creeping in-between the dance of colours.
Generations had been leaving their
memory in Petaling Street, slowly forming
a forest of community from a seed of
tree. Brushes of colour added on top of
the colour base, creating another frame
of mind.A history. Dark and bright colours
of the painting, sleekness and bumps on
wet mould surface, all of those create a
community called Petaling Street.
They are no strangers of the community,
they are one part of the piece.
At the other end, untouched by the
flow of the time, a small community
by the backstreet alley of the colourful
market facade has been living in a time
capsule. Like a time warp door to another
dimension, a narrow opening leads to the
past. Where people don’t get itchy feet,
they are not disturbed by the world. They
stay true.
印
象

31. 29

32. 數
據

33. Parametersurvey

34. Data Analysis
OWNERS/WORKERS
We interviewed more locals than foreigners as the
locals are more approachable to us. Most of the
people setting up business here come from all ages.
However, through observation, the local merchants
are usually older than the foreign ones.
數
據

35. 33
Their opinion towards
Petaling Street are mixed,
more of them being
positive. As Petaling
Street has become their
daily lives, 63% do not
consider Petaling Street
as the Chinatown of
Kuala Lumpur anymore
and most of them want the
government to take action
on improving the location.
When asked about
illegal shops and stalls, they
commented that it do not
affect their business thus
63% of them do not want
them to be eliminated.

36. VISITORS
Parameter Survey
數
據
The types of visitors interviewed were even, having
50/50. However, the visitors interviewed with the
questionnaires were young adults as most older
visitors were office workers who do not have time nor
interest in taking part of the survey

37. 35
When asked about
their impression on
Petaling Street, 4
of them had a more
positive opinion
while 2 of them think
that the place has lost
its character. Most
of them visit Petaling
Street because it is a
tourist attraction and
they found interest in
buying apparel, food
and other products.
Moreover, all of
them have bought
them from roadside
stalls.

38. Half of the visitors still
consider Petaling Street
as the Chinatown and
the others do not. Only
one of them is aware
that there are illegal
activities at work there.
None of them has tried
the illegal services.
Two-thirds of them
wants the illegal activities
abolished.

39. 37
A rubber shop owner
The business is hidden at the
upper floor of the shop house
along Jalan Sultan and a back
alley of Jalan Sultan. If there are
old men sitting at the entrance of
staircase, they are mostly pimps
who approach the customers. It is
usually patronized by the foreign
workers to fulfil their sexual
desire. If prostitution is eliminated,
the rape crime rate might increase
as there’s no place for them to
satisfy their “needs”. The whole
Kuala Lumpur is Chinatown as it
is mostly occupied by Chinese.
I think not only Petaling Street
can represent the presence of
Chinese culture.
An owner of Chocha
food store and Interior
Designer
We came back as Petaling Street
is given that notorious impression
such as unsafe and unhygienic.
As part of the young generation,
we have the responsibility to
contribute something (through
business) to this society. I would
still go to Petaling Street’s florist
to purchase some fresh flower for
my café.
A customer
Regarding the illegal for-
eign workers, they managed
to escape from police by closing
their stalls and then hiding at the
places where the police could not
find. Even though they are arrest-
ed by the police, they will be re-
leased if they are willing to pay the
“coffee money”. This is the “open
secret”. The law enforcement is
not strict enough and nobody is
willing to stand up for this issue. If
there is any discussion on “inap-
propriate” issues such as “buying
second hand house”, the person
will be arrested. Therefore, the
problem is still unsolvable.
A false teeth maker
The problem of foreign workers
cannot be solved anymore and it
is not a negative issue. We rely on
them for many things. If they are
eliminated from our country, the
shop owners will be helpless as
they need the foreign workers to
help them such as preparing food,
cleaning the shop and etc. “Are
you willing to do these? Are
you willing to do it with RM1000
salary? Are you willing to work at
wplaces without air-conditioning?
If you guys are not going to do it,
who is going to do it?”
Comments/Opinions by Locals

40. 結
論

41. Conclusion

42. The wind of news from The
Star has reached the ear of
the public on 17th March 2016.
The written ink stated a saddening
truth that the nature selection
of economy is to cut 1 out of 5
Petaling Street shop doors in a
near period of 6 counting months.
Just to sustain the seeds that had
been laid down has truly broken
the legs of the small people who
tried to break a leg.
Those people who put their
luck on the mountains of goods
purchased at the starting line
have been struggling to cash the
mountain over the long ticking
time. Making things worse,
raw materials keeps hiking its
value and the supposed shop
helpers ‘helped’ with higher
salary demand. Both factors
and the inclining shop rent after
the introduction of Goods and
Services Tax (GST) had crippled
the sustainability of the business.
Spying openly through the road,
our team found the roadside
stalls had won the election over
the shops by the visitors. The
competition had had a big margin
with the stalls leading a wide step.
From the local owners’ sidelines,
most operators have reached
more of their allowed life time.
Their children, who accepted
higher education, sought for a
better life, and thus leaving their
family business. These children
have more care to go than
the will to stay. Adding clouds
upon more clouds, another
party then came to cash in
on the situation, immigrants
from the neighboring countries
such as Myanmar, Indonesia,
Bangladesh, Philippines and
more. Their frontline in Petaling
Street had made the place lose
its ground as Kuala Lumpur’s
Chinatown. The Malaymail 24th
February 2016 stated the black
and white data that the foreign
labor brought more grit with them
to take in lower pay. It is not a
raw deal for them either, taking
into consideration the situation
in their homeland. Meals can be
served to their family’s table by
working in Malaysia, and the work
does not include high intelligent
requirements thus is very easy to
pick up. Some people travelled
into the land legally whilst others
entered behind closed doors.
Conclusion
結
論

43. 41
They then started opening stalls
which are not bound by nor
rent payment neither taxes. The
goods origins are off the record
and sold for the price of an apple
and an egg. Quoting from one
customer we interviewed, “Even
though they are arrested by the
police, they will be released if
they are willing to pay the ‘coffee
money’.” Moreover, our team’s
observations have shown that
even the force has swept it under
the rug. A rubber shop owner
directly linked the prostitution to
the presence of foreign workers
as the demand comes from them.
However, we have shed light that
there is a notion that the business
is preventing foreign workers
from turning a trick to locals.
Unconsciously, the foreign
residents became the ones
who maintained the economy
in Petaling Street in the tourism
aspect. Nonetheless, one can
argue that the notoriety of
Petaling Street is due to its illegal
business and the presence
of foreign workers. The locals
dishing the dirt of how they can
threaten public safety also brings
negative impact to the place.
The interest of public may decline
as the word is spread. We believe
that the carrots are not cooked
yet. Every cloud has its silver
lining but it is sometimes a little
difficult to get it to the mint.

45. End.