TRADERS operating at Deepavali bazaars in Jalan Masjid India are irked by a Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) regulation requiring them to use bright red canopies instead of the blue ones provided earlier.

Some are even insinuating that the colour change from blue to red was to reflect a change in government.

The Pakatan Harapan logo is bright red while Barisan Nasional’s is navy blue.

Traders are unhappy about having to pay for new red canopies for the Deepavali bazaar in Jalan Masjid India.

Trader K. Jeerah said when he applied for a licence recently, he was given a new red canopy which was included in the package fee along with the licence for the lot, registration, cleaning fee and miscellaneous charges.

“I paid RM800 for the package; but I felt that the red canopy was a waste since I already have blue ones,’’ he said.

Another trader griped that he did not have space to store the red canopy.

“I am running out of space to put the canopies as l already have two blue ones,’’ said M. Ravindran.

“I feel it is a waste of money to make us get new ones.

“It’s okay if you are a new trader and you don’t have one, but for the rest, it is just not necessary,’’ Ravindran said.

There were also complaints that the red canopies were not as sturdy and easily damaged.

When contacted, Joint Association of Small Business Owners and Traders Malaysia president Datuk Seri Rosli Sulaiman said he had not heard of new regulations to use red canopies for the Deepavali bazaar in Jalan Masjid India.

“There has been no directive so far, but if there is one, then I guess we have to abide by the ruling.

“However, those with blue canopies should be allowed to continue using them,’’ Rosli said.

Traders should not be burdened with additional expenses.

The colour of canopies provided at this year’s Ramadan Bazaar was blue.

DBKL Licensing and Petty Traders Management Department director Anwar Mohd Zain said people should not read too much into the colour of the new canopies.

“It’s not about the colour but the size,’’ Anwar said.

“The lot size allocated for the Deepavali bazaar is bigger than the ones for the Ramadan bazaar in June.”

The lot size for Ramadan stalls was 6x6 while for the Deepavali bazaar lots it is 8x8.

“The Federal Territories Ministry’s directive to us was to standardise the lot size; that means the old (blue) canopies can no longer be used.

“It is purely coincidental that our supplier gave us red canopies this time. It has nothing to do with politics,’’ he said, adding that the canopies could be yellow or green next year.

Responding to complaints that the red canopies were flimsy

and not durable, Anwar said, “It’s not meant to last long as pricing was a factor. Anyone who feels that their canopies are of poor quality can always come to our office and we will replace them,’’ he said.

As for the blue canopies, Anwar said traders could always use them for other purposes.

“But as long as they are trading under a DBKL licence, they have to follow our rules,’’ he said, adding that it was also to make it easier for enforcement officers to identify licensed traders.

The location for this year’s bazaar has also been moved from Lorong Tuanku Abdul Rahman to Jalan Masjid India.

Federal Territories Minister Khalid Samad said this year’s Deepavali bazaar would be the last in Jalan Masjid India as it would be relocated to another spot.

The decision came about following complaints by Masjid India shop owners and reports of certain groups monopolising the bazaar lots.

Khalid said stringent rules would be implemented to cut out middlemen and advised traders to go directly to DBKL to apply for their licences.