SINGAPORE: Mr Abu Bakar Abdullah Bagarib's traditional Malay clothing business first took off at Tanjong Katong Complex more than 20 years ago, with the tills ringing most frequently in the lead-up to the Hari Raya festivities. When the mall closed last year following a Singapore Land Authority (SLA) announcement that it would be upgraded, he moved his shop across the road to City Plaza. However, sales dropped by more than 60 per cent from before, and have yet to pick up pace after one-and-a-half years.
“The last Hari Raya sales were not so good, because the traffic for Malay-Muslim (customers) is very, very low here ...
I think before (the next) Hari Raya, I will leave this place,” the 71-year-old told CNA. The owner of Siti Rugaiyah boutique was initially told that he could move back into Tanjong Katong Complex, a familiar landmark within the Geylang Serai area, after a three-year renovation . That has since changed.
SLA decided to put the mall up for sale on a 30-year lease, with the tender open for about four months from Oct 18. Mr Abu Bakar will now have to wait till the first half of 2029 - when the renovation is expected to end - to return to the mall, which he is keen on doing. “I hope they can have some .
.. leeway for us (old tenants) to get the place back because I've been doing business at the old Tanjong Katong for many, many years,” he said.
“Once the building closed, my life changed a lot. My income changed a lot.” REQUIREMENTS FOR NEW MANAGEMENT The.
