Flat dwellers and Taman Taming Jaya residents of Muslim origin are against the practice because it involves religious sensitivities.

Other groups of residents, especially the elderly and homemakers say the market, with about 20 stalls also selling vegetables, fruits and household wares, offer them convenience.

Meanwhile, the traders are determined to stay put by claiming they had been at the site for nine years and were issued temporary permits by the Kajang Municipal Council to operate there.

Serdang MP Teo Nie Chin who met all three groups on Thursday was in a quandary when the representatives urged her to step in and end their predicament, reports The Star Online.

Taman Taming Jaya Umno Youth branch chairman Hashimi Abd Manaf said the traders were told to move by the council to a site gazetted as the morning market site for the housing area.

“The market has a proper disposal system for meat and fish bones. It is only 200m away from the flats so I don’t see any reason why traders are unwilling to move,” he said.

A resident, who only identified himself as Zaki, said a market of the sort should be held away from a residential area and denied claims that Indonesians held a night market at the same venue.

Block DD resident Low Kwee Heong said in view of the rampant snatch thefts and robberies in the area, having a morning market outside her dwelling was useful.

Pork seller Wong Choi Lam said traders were originally issued temporary licences by the council to trade there from 10am to noon daily.

“We also moved to an area partly hidden from view after a few of the residents protested about the stench.

“Now, the council has ordered us to cease all trading activities in the area.”

Councillor Tan Boon Wah, who sits on the licensing committee, said the licences were valid until September.

“The traders informed us that they received a notice from the council dated 24 December to cease operating at the site from 1 January. The directive was issued without the knowledge of the committee”.

To resolve the problem, Teo said a meeting would be held soon with representatives from all parties. She also said state local government committee chairman Ronnie Liu’s advice would be sought to help settle the matter amicably.