Nazri (left) looks at the fresh seafood on sale at Medan Niaga Satok. On his left is Fadilah.
KUCHING: Medan Niaga Satok is worthy to be considered a tourism icon in the Tupong constituency.
Tourism and Culture Minister Dato Seri Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz noted that the market housed entrepreneurs from various ethnic groups, meeting there to sell their produce.
“I see the Iban, Bidayuh, Orang Ulu, Melanau, Malay, Chinese and more trading here and it is a place where the people of Kuching gathers,” he told reporters after a walkabout at the market and the nearby Kubah Ria.
With him were Works Minister Datuk Fadillah Yusof, and Barisan Nasional candidate for Tupong, Fazzrudin Abdul Rahman.
Nazri said he would sit down with Fazzrudin should the latter clinch the Tupong seat, and talk about how to develop tourism in the area.
“We need to talk about grassroots tourism. People will ask what’s in it
for them living in the villages if government promotes tourism in their area? A lot of what we do here is of interest to tourists. If we have a vacant house, we can turn it into a homestay. This means tourism can benefit the villagers.”
On election matters, Nazri urged the people to vote in a younger generation of politicians and give them a chance to give back to society.
Fadillah also spoke in support of making Fazzrudin potential the next assemblyman of Tupong.
“Medan Niaga Satok and Kubah Ria are among attractions in the Tupong constituency.
“We need to keep a good relationship with the federal government, who are helping us, and not making accusations.”