Sinkhole incident: Traders ordered to cease trading and be patient

Traders at JALAN Masjid India in Kuala Lumpur who have had to temporarily cease operations in the area are requested to be patient as this measure is being taken for safety reasons.

Minister for the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories), Dr Zaliha Mustaffa, said the safety of the trader was of utmost importance following the sinkhole incident in the area.

“For me, trader safety is paramount.

“We have to ask them to stop their activities for security reasons and if anything happens to the traders, we will be responsible.

“They will be able to continue their activities as usual once the situation at Jalan Masjid India is safe,” she said at a press conference held after an engagement session with stakeholders from Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya on the Federal Territories Budget 2025 at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre (PICC).

This comes after an Indian tourist fell into an eight-metre-deep sinkhole on Jalan Masjid India after the ground collapsed as she was walking to a nearby temple at 8.22am on Friday (August 23).

Shopkeepers have been asked to close as a precaution due to toxic gas being released from the manhole.

Search and rescue efforts were still ongoing at press time.