SIBU: Sibu Municipal Council (SMC) is working to promote the Sunday Market, which will begin operations on weekends at its new location of Pasar Tamu Indah on Aug 1.
SMC chairman Clarence Ting called on Sibu folk to support the move and frequent the market.
He also urged traders to work with the council to help ensure the market, which was previously at Jalan Mahsuri, is a success.
Ting (second left) discusses a point with Chang. Also seen are SMC Markets and Petty Traders Standing Committee chairman Albert Tiang (left) and Pelawan assemblyman David Wong.
“They said they have been trading there (Jalan Mahsuri) for many years, where their customer base is. This is the general sentiment but they still want to trade. So this is the dilemma that they are facing.
“So the council needs to find a place and I have checked with the police, YB Dr Annuar (Rapaee — Assistant Minister of Local Government and Housing) Resident (Charles Siaw), and all of them agreed with our layout — this we have already done. One thing we have to do is that, we either move or keep it closed,” he said during a dialogue with some 70 traders on Friday.
He explained that the new site has a bigger area, which would allow for social distancing, whereas the existing site has stalls erected too close together.
Ting added suggestions to split the market into two areas are not practical.
“I think that this will only congest more places eventually. So that is why we want to put it in (Pasar Tamu Indah). I think the council will have to do the promotion by ourselves — to promote this place and make it work and not just leave it on its own,” he said.
Meanwhile, Bukit Assek assemblywoman Irene Chang suggested SMC consider alternative places to house the traders.
“We understand why SMC thinks the (Sunday) market has to be moved. However, in deciding where to move to, they need to discuss with the hawkers on where to locate to. The hawkers are concerned about the present proposed place because it is known that the business there might not be good, given the fact that the business of the previous Tamu at the same location did not flourish. It is a valid concern because it affects their likelihood,” she said.
Chang suggested SMC look into alternative venues like the old bus station at Sungai Antu, which has been proven to be good for business; the area at Chew Siik Hiong behind Jalan Hardin; or the vacant lots at Jalan Ria.
“Whatever it is, since SMC is determined to move them, I hope that SMC would do all they can to promote Taman Indah in order to boost the business there, as has been assured by the chairman.
“And they also need to come up with a solution on how to accommodate everyone as Taman Indah can only hold 114 stalls. And there are more than 200 hawkers in the current Sunday Market,” she pointed out.