SELANGAU: Many stall operators here are upset at the seemingly apathetic attitude of the local council towards the Selangau district council market that is in disrepair.
IN DISREPAIR: Van driver Bonny Ulom (left) and an unidentified member of Rela pointing at the collapsed roof of the Selangau district council market.
Along one section of the market part of the roof has collapsed while about a quarter of the allocated area is on bare ground that turns into a muddy mess every time it rains.
Stall operators told the Borneo Post Adventure Team (BAT) that they requested the council many times over the years to replace the roofing and to instal fans to help alleviate the daytime heat, but their cries for help seem to have fallen on deaf ears.
A local who asked to remain anonymous said that the council should provide better facilities as stall operators were paying the council RM30 per month in rental while day traders were paying RM1 per day.
“We have complained about the roof and asked the council to fill the mud floor with concrete many times already, but they haven’t done anything about it.
“Yet, they still turn up here every day to collect rental,” he added.
The stall operators hoped that the authorities would carry out improvement works as soon as possible.
In addition, some stall operators appealed for leniency from wildlife authorities over the sale of wild boar meat at the market. Currently, it is illegal to sell wild boar meat to the public. Wild boars can only be killed for personal consumption.
These stall operators also hoped that the authorities would understand their situation and let them sell wild boar meat to the public.
Said one stall operator: “We have no choice but to kill the wild boars that ravaged our gardens, but we can’t consume all. So rather than let the meat go to waste, why not let us sell it to the public since there is a demand?”
Meanwhile, other locals also expressed their frustration over the condition of the roads around the town which are badly in need of maintenance.
They hope that the council will look into their concerns and rectify the roads conditions as soon as possible.