KUCHING: Efforts are underway to revive the night market at Kai Joo Lane here, which stopped operating two years ago.
The serene nightlife at the nearly 100-year-old Kai Joo Lane in the old Kuching town will be lively again after several issues in the area are tackled.
Kuching North City Commission (DBKU) member Datuk Wee Hong Seng personally believed that the night market at the heritage street must be brought back to its lively past.
“I am sure if we can manage to resolve all the issues, we will be able to have it back,” he told New Sarawak Tribune.
Wee, who is also the India Street Pedestrian Mall Committee chairman, believed the night market was closed down due to uncertain weather conditions.
“The business was badly affected during the rainy season as there were no shelters. Also, there were issues on storage and manpower in handling the overall displays.
“Permanent electricity supply, lighting and water supply are also part of the issues that need to be addressed,” he stressed.
For a start, to encourage more people, especially the younger generation and tourists alike to know about the history of Kai Joo Lane, a mural of famous hawkers down the street has already been completed.
“We are also looking into the possibility of painting another two more murals. In the olden days, Kai Joo Lane was known for selling opium and also coffins. So, we will be working with local artists in looking how we can paint out these stories,” he added.
Wee also pointed out the current problem the parking of vehicles along the street, which somehow blocked the mural. Some people had complained they could not take photographs.
“Taking in all these considerations, the Kai Joo Lane will be closed to traffic and parking soon,” he said.
Wee added the heavy traffic in and out of the street had badly affected the structure of the old shop houses which did not have strong foundations to sustain the vibrations of heavy vehicles.
“Even the floor tiles are damaged; not only does it cost DBKU to spend a lot of money to maintain it, we are afraid the lane will lose its heritage,” he pointed out.
Wee said once the murals, which would be incorporated with augmented reality (AR), were completed and after all the issues were solved, the proposal for a night market would be looked into.
The night market at Kai Joo Lane which used to sell all kinds of local and traditional Chinese food started in August 2016 but closed down in 2017.
Kai Joo Lane, a street between India Street here, has 32 shops and was built by a Teochew businessman, Teo Kai Joo in 1923.
Today, the street is still famous for selling pineapple tarts, popular street foods such as Cha Siu buns, curry puffs and butter coffee.
