DBKK to resolve issues at central market — Mayor
KOTA KINABALU: The Kota Kinabalu City Hall (DBKK) continues its efforts to elevate the city’s cleanliness level and general well-being, this time around the district central market and its nearby jetty.
During a visit to the central market here on Saturday, Mayor Datuk Seri Dr Sabin Samitah said some issues raised during his visit were concerning lighting, drainage and broken fans, and he assured DBKK will carry out the necessary repairs and improvements.
“We are also planning to hold a contest among the vendors to encourage them to beautify their stalls so that more tourists are attracted to visit the central market.
“This is especially since a nearby hotel opened up recently, which I am sure its guests will want to visit the market. So our focus will be towards cleanliness and repairs,” he said.
As for the fish market, Sabin said it is clean, but he noted that the Sabah Fish Marketing Sdn Bhd (Safma) area still has room for improvement in this aspect, and he said DBKK and Safma will work together to sort out the issues.
Sabin said among the actions that need to be taken to address the cleanliness issue at the Safma fish market is to ensure the traders there dispose of their wastes in garbage cans to be picked up by garbage collectors.
“I had also visited the nearby jetty, which I found not only old but also unsafe due to slippery floors.
“Public servants who work at Pulau Gaya for example, especially if they are pregnant or have other complications, find it hard to embark and disembark the boats from the jetty.
“Hence, DBKK will take the necessary steps to improve the jetty’s conditions,” he said.
Also present during the visit was Kota Kinabalu Member of Parliament Datuk Chan Foong Hin who said politicians should serve the people to the best of your abilities despite criticisms and political backgrounds.
“Each area or constituency has not only its own developments but also issues, which comes with its fair share of criticisms. This is normal and will come regardless.
“Whether we do something or not, we will still get criticised.
Even the police are not spared from all sorts of criticisms.
“As civil servants, no matter if we are politicians, the mayor, or police, what is important is to serve the people regardless of political backgrounds.
“As the State Government, we cannot please all parties, but what we can do is to deliver our best. So I am speaking not as a DAP or Pakatan Harapan man, but as the MP for my constituency,” he said.
Chan during his visit had handed out 1,000 goodie bags to farmers around the market in conjunction with the coming Chinese New Year celebrations.
He said a total of 6,000 goodie bags will be distributed to teachers in Chinese schools, stall vendors around Foh Sang and Lido, as well as senior citizens.
The Deputy Plantation and Commodities Minister also lauded the police’s efforts in combating crime in his constituency through initiatives such as walkabouts at hotspots in the city.
Chan, who is also DAP Policy Bureau Chief, also hopes that DBKK can bring about more positive changes to the city such as in terms of drainage and cleanliness.