Rabek Ali (seated second right) and Medan Niaga Simpang Tiga traders after the press conference.
SIBU: Sarawak Economic Development Corporation (SEDC) has been urged to review the rental rates of stalls at Medan Niaga Simpang Tiga here.
Sibu Malay Community Association chairman Councillor Rabek Ali Hamid met with the traders who claimed the rent was too high.
He noted that many had stopped trading there, with only six stalls left operating compared to 12 stalls when it started in 2011.
Rabek Ali said he would be sending a memorandum to SEDC office here soon to convey the plight of the traders, and ask for a reduction in monthly rental.
“I was told by the traders here that the rental used to be RM450 per month before being raised to RM769.60 excluding water and electricity supply charges.
“I foresee that more stalls will close if SEDC does not reduce the rent, while new tenants are not taking up the vacant stalls.
He was made to understand that the rent of SEDC’s stalls near Premier Department Store here is about RM100 per month compared to that in Kuching at about RM300.
“Therefore, the higher authority in SEDC should look into the plight of traders at Medan Niaga Simpang Tiga to find ways to assist them.
“They (SEDC) could liven up the place to lure customers. This is a strategic location with amble parking bays,” he told reporters at Medan Niaga Simpang Tiga at Awang Ramli Amit Road here.
He said these traders are from the low income group and the high rental rate is affecting their livelihood.
All the traders here want the monthly rental to be reduced to about RM200, or on par with stalls under local authorities like Taman Selera Harmoni, disclosed Rabek Ali who is also the councillor in charge of Taman Selera Harmoni.
He suggested that SEDC go to the ground to listen to the traders’ problem to build rapport with the traders.
Rabek Ali reckoned that only a handful of customers were patronising the place due to limited choice from the six stalls still operating.
Meanwhile, the remaining traders called for the rent to be reduced, claiming daily losses.
One of the traders who did not want to be named revealed that she makes RM50 per day on average, but has to pay RM30 in daily wages excluding other expenses.
She said: “There are only a handful of customers here even during peak hours. It’s already 9.30am on a Saturday but you can see less than 10 customers here.”
The traders also voiced concern about the unhealthy activities going on there at night.
They claimed the place was not well maintained and response was slow to any complaint about maintenance.