.
Open secret The painting of the memory on the wet vessel of a place is continually and beautifully polished by time. Brushes of dark strokes and a few bumps as parts of the piece. Supporting the community, accepted as one. Often ignored but not forgotten.
目 錄
4. 8. 10. 15.
Poetic Interpretation Parameter servey Conclusion
Content
Introduction
前 言
introduction
前 言
Introduction
L
aws are made to maintain the stability of communities. The line is drawn with many reasoning, be it to the advantage of majority, to support what is considered ‘good’ by most, is believed to maintain the balance of people, etc. Still it won’t satisfy the need of every single individual on earth. There are parties whose definition of ‘good’ is different, whose faith to their belief is stronger than the law, may be who need to go out of bounds to survive. Likewise, the two sides of the same coin, the supporting and opposing parties towards the order will exist side by side. People who do accordingly to the law become the good people whilst the ones who go beyond the line are considered a disturbance, but both have their own role in this world. They have their own idea and reasons of the ‘right’ thing to do. In this paper,
our team took the pulse of the balance of order that had been built in a particular community: Petaling Street. Being a tourist spot for its trading activities for visitors and infamous for the area with law unto themselves, we studied into the trading activities happening in the area. It’s a common knowledge that not all of the businesses are above board. Hence, the research is to throw some light on how the disorderly trading conducts in Petaling Street came to exist. The price to pay for such activities affects the economy, culture, and life of the residents, thus we are to look into the matters as well. In the attempt to conduct a proper documentation and analysis of Petaling Street, some measures were taken to collect the necessary information. A direct exposure to the place is a necessity to get the firsthand
information. The site was observed and explored to bring the first daylight to the study. Drifting around both with purpose and aimlessly around the area in attempt to get the idea of the land memory and present. Therefore, individual, personal perceptions and interpretations can be generated. Local and foreign visitors who came temporarily; and business owners who make their life out of the activity have their own particular attitude towards the place and activities happening around them. Thence, quantitative measures in form of questionnaires were taken from the different user party to achieve specific data. The residents living their life or making their life from the place are the personification of the land
soul. Thus, a direct connection with the people will give important perspective and answers to the study, providing the memory which outsiders won’t see. Visitors who help to make the place actually alive and happening are not to be forgotten as another important factor to get the drift of the spirit embodiment, as how the outsider sees the community. Both factors are interconnected to each other. Lastly, existing data and literature information are to be reviewed as another reference in the study. There are different types of illegal activities happening at Petaling street. The most common are trading of pirated and stolen goods from Pasar Karat, the brothels activities, and drug dealing. Although they are all illegal and immoral, people have accepted and entirely legalized those exposed on street levels but find those hidden extremely corrupt. For one reason, people
9
前 言
in Petaling street are exposed to these markets daily and its within easy reach that it became part of the norm. Moreover, the majority do benefit from the goods’ markets and therefore they legalize it as it is on their own favor. Hence at the end of the day, both parties (the sellers and costumers) are pleased. On the other hand, the brothels and drug dealing is a more sensitive issue and considered sinful and immoral because of the cultural and religious values of the majority, but most commonly because it’s physically, mentally and emotionally harmful to both parties. Therefore, they are rejected and considered completely criminal. However, a working party in these “black activities” may fully legalize these acts as it may be seen as the only possible way to secure their life. One of the major causes of the various illegal trades happening in Petaling street is the location itself. Where it is considered to be the heart of Kuala Lumpur as it is a prominent attraction. Therefore, the excessive amount of people encourages diverse job opportunities, despite it being legal or illegal, moral or immoral. These businesses, like the counterfeit and stolen goods have been running on the site for so many years they have become the main attraction to Petaling street. Although the counterfeit goods are generally considered
illegal, this kind of trade is globally famous that in most cases, it is no longer considered as illegal. It has flourished Petaling street more than the legal trades that runs on the site. Which on the other hand, has stolen the original settlers’ income that has been run by generations and invaded the original essence of the site, which was once known as the food haven. According to one of the roast duck stall owners, the business has changed, nowadays, it’s only old people who come to buy or their children, only for nostalgic sake. On the other hand, the brothels and drug dealing that occur at the hidden lane of the site is what set a corrupt image and increase the crime rate of the site. Although based on the interviews conducted this seem to be affecting the visitors more than the locals. In fact, the locals seem to be numb to the whole image that they don’t find it threatening anymore. However, from some of the visitor’s side of view, these activities repel them from the site where they don’t feel secure strolling around the site or visiting the site at all. But to other visitors, this elusive image of the site, where it is dilapidated and broken at some parts but boost with vibrancy on the other, creates curiosity to explore more of the site.
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印 象
Poetic Interpretation
1
Interpretation on Petaling Street
Who to blame when people are just trying to scratch some pennies from the evergrowing desire of other people? Still, what about the sleepless nights, effort, and time invested in a product to build its trademark identity, only to be stolen later on?
Looking back at how hard the original Chinese people worked to start and build Petaling Street with the pride of their ethnic identity, the spirit and culture seem to have been fading away. Aside of the big, strong entrance gate as the remembrance of the former glory and some small footmarks left, the place seems to have lost its way in the globalization flow.
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� 蹥
In an attempt to get the best in their life, people are trying to involve the confidence and help from something that they can’t understand with their mind alone. A new hope, guidance, relief, taking every chance they can have to peek at the future, the time and events which are yet to come. People are not fond of unfavoured surprises.
In the middle of the hustle and bustle of the market, some people are lying around in their small, obscure bubble. Asking for some fortune and mercy from the fast-paced, ignorant world. Passing yet another day.
Making a living from the nature, the ‘Amak’ mediates the naturerichness to the people. In faithfulness delivering the treasure of the land becomes accessible to anyone, giving some smiles to families and new strength to continue on with life.
17
� 蹥
Visitors are not at fault of taking interest in pirated products. Content with their own life within their financial capability, help the owners to make their living. Yet, is it just for the creator and inventor of such branding?
Where are the goods originated from? Not something the community would like to consider in their mind so long the trade business is profitable to them, both sellers and customers
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� 蹥
A humble living of a meat seller in a low profile old market. Hidden from the skim of the eyes, the small alley hidden by the street creates a life capsule of unchanging lifestyle of the people from old times.
1
Interpretation on Petaling Street
Signboards become silent, surviving witness of the history and exhibit mute explanations about the soul of the place at present.
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印 象
An open secret is allowed to exist because people turn a blind eye against it. Even when the signs clearly say “No counterfeit products allowed”, the merchants persist. The customers engage the sellers and provide them business. Even more, the present police officer also turns a blind eye and accepted the trade as natural part of Petaling Street.
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1
Interpretation on Petaling Street
The doctrine of caveat emptor would apply in the bargaining happened in Pasar Karat more than Petaling Street. Residing next to Petaling Street, it becomes an alternative for locals who searched for goods as cheap as chips. Interests grown within the people are then suppressing the authentic products and shops. Faces of foreigners keep replacing the local Chinese community. However, they do contribute to the economy by maintaining the working sector, making this situation a dilemma of focus between the conservation of culture and heritage and a need for working force.
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印 象
The degradation of the place leads to the degradation of the activities carried out. The young generation has lost interest in the place and another party replaces them by illegal and “seemingly” legal activities. What they are doing might not seem right, but nonetheless they do it openly, for all to see. This is the Open Secret.
27
� 蹥
Generations had left their memory of Petaling Street, slowly forming a forest of community from a seed of tree. Brushes of color added on top of the color base, creating another frame of mind. A history. Dark and bright colors of the painting, sleekness and bumps on wet mound surface, all of those create a community called Petaling Street. A fast glance at the street shows the gleaming and full of color busy market daily life, passing by the darkness haunting in the crowd of people. The struggle of the little people trying to survive deceitfully corrupts their mind to find alleys and shortcuts to financial freedom. The dark dots then slowly radiate like a ripple on the wet mound. Creeping inbetween the dance of colors. They are no strangers neither alien substances of the community; they are one of the piece elements. Secretly operating at the other side of the light world or out open on the street shoulder, the activities are the tail side of the coin. At the other hand, without a care of the outside world, untouched by the flow of the time, a small community by the backstreet alley of the colorful market facade has been making their living. Like a small time, warp door to another dimension, a narrow opening leads to the traditional market. Inside the time capsule, people are still doing what their ancestor started in the way they did. The people don’t get itchy feet, they are not disturbed by the world. They stay true.
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數 據
Parameter servey
Data Analysis OWNERS/WORKERS
數 據
We interviewed more locals than foreigners as the locals are more approachable to us. Most of the people setting up business here come from all ages. However, through observation, the local merchants are usually older than the foreign ones.
Their opinion towards Petaling Street are mixed, more of them being positive. As Petaling Street has become their daily lives, 63% do not consider Petaling Street as the Chinatown of Kuala Lumpur anymore and most of them want the government to take action on improving the location. When asked about illegal shops and stalls, they commented that it do not affect their business thus 63% of them do not want them to be eliminated.
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When asked about their impression on Petaling Street, 4 of them had a more positive opinion while 2 of them think that the place has lost its character. Most of them visit Petaling Street because it is a tourist attraction and they found interest in buying apparel, food and other products. Moreover, all of them have bought them from roadside stalls.
1
Interpretation on Petaling Street
VISITORS
The types of visitors interviewed were even, having 50/50. However, the visitors interviewed with the questionnaires were young adults as most older visitors were office workers who do not have time nor interest in taking part of the survey
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數 據
Comments/Opinions by Locals Rubber shop owner
A false teeth maker
The business is hidden at the upper floor of the shop house along Jalan Sultan and a back alley of Jalan Sultan. If there are old men sitting at the entrance of staircase, they are mostly pimps who approach the customers. It is usually patronized by the foreign workers to fulfil their sexual desire. If prostitution is eliminated, the rape crime rate might increase as there’s no place for them to satisfy their “needs”. The whole Kuala Lumpur is Chinatown as it is mostly occupied by Chinese. I think not only Petaling Street can represent the presence of Chinese culture.
The problem of foreign workers cannot be solved anymore and it is not a negative issue. We rely on them for many things. If they are eliminated from our country, the shop owners will be helpless as they need the foreign workers to help them such as preparing food, cleaning the shop and etc. “Are you willing to do these? Are you willing to do it with a RM1000 salary? Are you willing to work at dirty place without airconditioning? If you guys are not going to do it, who is going to do it?”
Owner of Chocha food store and Interior Designer
A customer (an old lady who is waiting at false teeth shop)
We came back as Petaling Street is given that notorious impression such as unsafe and unhygienic. As part of the young generation, we have the responsibility to contribute something (through business) to this society. I would still go to Petaling Street’s florist to purchase some fresh flower for my café.
Regarding the illegal foreign workers, they managed to escape from police by closing their stalls and then hiding at the places where the police could not find. Even though they are arrested by the police, they will be released if they are willing to pay the “coffee money”. This is the “open secret”. The law enforcement is not strict enough and nobody is willing to stand up for this issue. If there is any discussion on “inappropriate” issues such as “buying second hand house”, the person will be arrested. Therefore, the problem is still unsolvable.
Half of the visitors still consider Petaling Street as the Chinatown and the others do not. Only one of them is aware that there are illegal activities at work there. None of them has tried the illegal services. Two-thirds of them wants the illegal activities abolished.
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結 論
Conclusion
結 論
Conclusion T
he wind of news from The Star has reached the ear of the public on 17th March 2016. The written ink stated a saddening truth that the nature selection of economy is to cut 1 out of 5 Petaling Street shop doors in a near period of 6 counting months. Just to sustain the seeds that had been laid down has truly broken the legs of the small people who tried to break a leg. Those people who put their luck on the mountains of goods purchased at the starting line have been struggling to cash the mountain over the long ticking time. To make things worse, raw materials keeps hiking its value and the supposed shop helpers ‘helped’ with higher salary demand. With both factors and the inclining shop rent after the introduction of Goods and Services Tax (GST) by the government had crippled the sustainability of the business. Spying openly through the road, our team found the roadside stalls had won the election over the shops by the visitors. The competition had had a big margin with the stalls leading a wide step. Furthermore, the visitors may
just intended to share their fortune with the stalls. From the owner sidelines, most operators are those who reached more of their allowed life time. The children who accepted more of knowledge than their predecessor sought for their better life, leaving their family business . Adding clouds to more clouds, the children who accepted more knowledge than their predecessor have more care to go than will to stay. Another merchants party then came to cash in on the situation, immigrants from the neighboring countries such as Myanmar, Indonesia, Bangladesh, and more. Their frontline in Petaling Street had made the place lose its ground as a Chinatown. The Malaymail 24th February 2016 has stated the black and white data that the foreign labour brought more grit with them and willing to take in lower pay. It is not a raw deal for them either, taking into consideration how the situation in their homeland is. Meals can be served to their family’s table by working in Malaysia, and the work does not include high intelligent requirements thus is very easy to
pick up. Some people travelled into the land legally whilst others entered behind closed doors. They then started opening stalls which are not bound by nor rent payment neither taxes. The goods origins are off the record and sold for the price of an apple and an egg. Quoting from one customer we interviewed, “Even though they are arrested by the police, they will be released if they are willing to pay the ‘coffee money’.” Moreover, our team’s observations have shown that even the force has swept it under the rug. A rubber shop owner directly linked the prostitution to the presence of foreign workers as the demand comes from them. However, we have shed light that there is a notion that the business is preventing foreign workers from turning a trick to locals.
Unconsciously, the foreign residents became the ones who maintained the economy in Petaling Street in the tourism aspect. Nonetheless, one can argue that the notoriety of Petaling Street is due to its illegal business and the presence of foreign workers. The locals dishing the dirt of how they can threaten public safety also brings negative impact to the place. The interest of public may decline as the word is spread. We believe that the carrots are not cooked yet. Every cloud has its silver lining but it is sometimes a little difficult to get it to the mint.
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End.
SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE, BUILDING AND DESIGN Centre for Modern Architecture Studies in Southeast Asia (MASSA) BACHELOR OF SCIENCE (HONOURS) IN ARCHITECTURE Module : Re-presenting Place (CSL60103) Prerequisite : None Credit Hours : 3
Tutor: Hafiz Amirrol Art director: Sia Hong Jie Project Manager: Koh Sung Jie Editor: Evelin Devina, Ghaida Rashad Graphic Designer: Ricco Soh Zheng Wei, Sham Zhen Wen Photographer: Kan Sook San, Ong Seng Peng
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Socioeconomic Hidden Trades Convergence of customs Daily Cultural Practices