DBKK powerless after allowing buskers to perform

Published on: Sunday, September 10, 2023

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DBKK should set a time after which such busking/singing performances must stop in an open air area surrounded with places of residence.

AS a resident of Tanjung Aru, I seek to highlight the nuisance caused by buskers performing at the nightly Tanjung Aru Night Market on that open air area/ land between Tanjung Aru Plaza and Tanjung Aru Police Station.

I have no problem with the food stalls operating there as they look tidy and clean. In fact, their presence there has brought life to the surroundings with bright lights and the smell of food.

The issue is the singing/music performances that are carried out at the night market.

The busking/public performance sometimes are very noisy and goes on well into the night (up to 11.30pm) without any regard to those residing immediately adjacent to the night market (Chaya Hotel and Aru Suites).

Even my house that is not immediately adjacent to the night market can hear the voice of the singers and the vibrations caused by the musical instruments (drum sets and electric guitars bass).

My first complaint was to call Tanjung Aru police station in June 2023 close to midnight while the nuisance was ongoing right next to the police station. However, I was told that the night market was under the jurisdiction of and licensed by Dewan Bandaraya Kota Kinabalu (DBKK) and I was asked to complain to DBKK directly.

I complained to DBKK directly through their Public Complaints Hotline (Tel: 012-2220220) on 21.06.2023. As expected, the result was not forthcoming and in fact I was given a reply not related to my complaint – I complained about noise/ nuisance but was given a reply relating to the sale of alcohol without licence at the night market.

Luckily, an officer of DBKK by the name of Awang was very helpful and called me personally to ask about the situation. I explained to him about the noise/ nuisance and he said he would speak to the organiser of the busking/ singing performance at the night market.

The loud singing eventually reduced in noise to a very much acceptable level.

But the relief didn’t last long before it started again about two weeks after that. I again complained to Awang on 26.07.2023 and 13.08.2023, and he again assisted to speak to the organiser of the busking/ singing performance.

Ever since the last complaint I made on 13.08.2023, there was no more loud singing and musical instruments playing that I was aware of.

But again, the relief didn’t last long and started again lately. As recently as last night (05.09.2023), there was loud singing and musical instruments playing up to 11:30 p.m.!

I have attached the evidence:

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/10Ie0kJo9HbKJuW-P3ezGEMQ9oc9i_j5w?usp=sharing

I hope DBKK will take proactive steps to control such busking/ singing performance in public areas. Afterall, it is the local authority under the Public Entertainments Ordinance 1958 and Public Entertainments Rules 2009 to govern such activities within its area of jurisdiction.

At least, DBKK should set a time after which such busking/ singing performances must stop in an open air area surrounded with places of residence.

CSV

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