SIBU: Sibu Municipal Council (SMC) is planning to move the SMC Sunday market to Taman Indah.
This has drawn opposition from the local branch of the Democratic Action Party (DAP).
“Let me give you the facts,” said SMC chairman Clarence Ting in response.
He explained that the current site at Jalan Mahsuri had existed since 1990.
“It’s also too small and with 90 parking bays, that’s not enough. Based on the current standard operating procedures (SOPs), we can only have 70 stores whereas there are more than 100 traders every weekend,” he explained.
“All traders are not licensed. They trade only on Saturdays and Sundays, and their trading lots are on first come first served basis.”
In contrast, Taman Indah has 340 parking bays.
“Based on the SOPs we can place more than 100 stores, and provide a roof. The council also intends to give permits to individual traders and to allow daily trading,” he said.
At Jalan Mahsuri, Ting said that the site was temporary at best as the developer was going to build a hotel at the site.
“When that happens, I don’t see how the Sunday market will be allowed to continue,” he said.
