Traders at Lee Lam Thye market in Chinatown, Kuala Lumpur, fear that the planned relocation by Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) will harm their business and livelihood.

DBKL intends to build a new two-storey market complex nearby. This was announced during an engagement session with the traders, Kuala Lumpur Hawkers and Petty Traders Association, DBKL, Bukit Bintang MP Fong Kui Lun, and Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye.

The relocation aims to facilitate beautification works at Lorong Galeri Lee Lam Thye and the lane off Jalan Tun HS Lee. The new market complex will be at the site of the old Madras Cinema, which burned down in 1978 and is currently used as a parking lot.

The top floor of the new complex will house the market traders, while the bottom floor will accommodate 114 Pasar Karat traders and a parking lot. The project will affect about 100 market traders.