“Not another Chinatown” – Melaka Vendors Reject DAP’s Proposal to Turn Jalan Hang Tuah into ‘Jonker Walk 2.0’

A few days ago, DAP suggested that Jalan Hang Tuah in Melaka be rebranded as a tourist attraction, using the Jonker Walk concept, especially during Chinese New Year celebrations.

According to a report by MalaysiaGazette, Kota Laksamana State Assemblyman (ADUN), Low Chee Leong, shared that the area could be known as ‘Jonker Walk 2.0‘.

“If we can implement Jonker Walk 2.0 on Jalan Hang Tuah, it will boost the local economy and the entire state of Melaka in general,”

“This proposal is after discovering the success of Jonker Walk, which is 25 years old, becoming one of the most popular tourist destinations during Chinese New Year, and perhaps even more exciting than in Mainland China itself,” he explained.

Though, it appears that the vendors at Jalan Hang Tuah, Melaka, do not want this.

A survey by MalaysiaGazette found that the majority of traders, who have been based there for over 40 years, want the street to maintain its original identity.

Taking to their X page, they wrote, “Traders on Jalan Hang Tuah, also known as Hang Tuah Mall, have rejected DAP’s proposal to rebrand the nearly one-kilometre-long street with the Jonker Walk night market concept, or referred to as Jonker Walk 2.0.”

“They insist that Hang Tuah Mall should not be overshadowed by the China Town concept like the adjacent Jonker Walk on Jalan Hang Jebat, which opened 25 years ago.”

One vendor even expressed her fear that Chinese vendors will take over Jalan Hang Tuah, which is made up of mostly Malay vendors, should the street be rebranded as ‘Jonker Walk 2.0‘.

“If it’s like Jonker Walk, people say that, based on the majority (of vendors there), it’s a Chinese place. So, what will be our standing here (on Jalan Hang Tuah) as Malay vendors later?”

“So, let them be there (at Jonker Walk), and the Malays here (at Jalan Hang Tuah), let us be,” she said.

The vendor added that should the intention be to liven up the area, the authorities should consider other methods and concepts.

What do you think about this? Do feel free to share your thoughts in the comment section.

Also read: “It’s very retro” – Foreign Tourist Says Malaysia is Exactly Like China, But From 20 Years Ago