KUCHING: To avoid traffic congestion at Mile 3 Bazaar here, the Padawan Municipal Council has allocated spaces for rent at the rear of shophouses for traders to extend their businesses in the run-up to the upcoming Chinese New Year.
According to its chairman Lo Khere Chiang, the spaces that the council have provided are necessary as errant traders, especially during the festive season, would ply their trade at car parks in front of shophouses causing jams and delays to shoppers.
“We have to give them a chance to carry out their business without hindering traffic flow,” said Lo during a walkabout at the bazaar yesterday.
He also said that enforcement officers would conduct spot checks to ensure that the traders abide by their agreement and stay within their allotted spaces.
For shopkeepers, Lo said they are allowed to set up tents at the car park in front of their units.
This, according to Lo, would be easier for shoppers to cart heavy items such as oranges and crates of drinks into their vehicles.
The rent for the shopkeepers to set up the tent is only RM100 per day while the stall operators who rent a space behind the shophouses will be charged RM90 for nine days, Lo said.
“If we do not impose any fees, all the shops here will definitely put up their tents at the parking spaces,” said Lo, adding that the bazaar has at least 500 car park spaces for patrons.
Meanwhile, Lo also urged these traders not to give in to enforcement officers who demanded fees from them.
“All of the fees are paid in one lump sum before they start their business,” Lo explained.